nay, that they must live. Only flaunting weeds having no root in themselves fall away and die, to be seen no more. The forest oak and stately elm strike deep into the soil, and renew their beauty after seeming decay.

Long, long after the sensuous flood of obscure verse shall have swept along and passed out of sight to be forgotten, Cowper's poems in all their crystal purity will be remembered and appreciated. Long, long after the wearisome flippant letters which fill the pages of countless biographies, leaving no mark behind, except perhaps the trail of petty spite and supreme contempt for anyone but the writer, have been buried in well-deserved oblivion, the letters which reached Lady Hesketh, John Newton, William Wilberforce, and Mr. Rose, from Olney and Weston Lodge, will be regarded, as they ought to be, as models of English prose, perspicuous and trenchant. Models, too, of that playful humour and sparkling wit which flash out here and there between the lines, and can be relished now with as keen a zest as they were relished a century ago.

As Mrs. Unwin sat by the poet's side and watched his pen pursuing its even course over the letter, she asked no question as to whom the correspondent might be. Presently he looked up.

"I am writing to Mr. Rose. Shall I say aught for you?"

"My compliments," was the quiet reply, "and say how glad I am to hear he reached home in safety,

and that I hope to welcome him to Weston Lodge on a future occasion."

A bright smile broke over Cowper's face.

"Yes," he said, "I will indite what you wish from you, and something about you, which is between the paper, Mr. Rose, and myself."

An answering smile, which seemed to say, "I can trust you," and the shining needles clicked merrily as Cowper wrote:

"I shall not find a properer place in which to say, accept of Mrs. Unwin's acknowledgments, as well as mine, for the kindness of your expressions, and be assured of an undissembling welcome at all times when it shall suit you to give us your company at Weston.

"As to her, she is one of the sincerest of the human race; and if she receives you with the appearance of pleasure, it is because she feels it. Her behaviour on such occasions is with her an affair of conscience, and she dares no more look a falsehood than utter one."

A noble testimony to real worth of which Cowper's Mary might well be proud. It remains to add another jewel to the crown she has won as the truest, kindest friend any man ever possessed. And, unlike many another man, poet, scholar, or philosopher, it may be said of William Cowper that he did not wait to recognise his good angel till the rustle of her departing wings told him that she had taken flight for ever.

CHAPTER XI.

LIFE AND DEATH.

And one was clothed with amaranthe as with flame,
And one with asphodels, like flakes of light."

LONGFELLOW.

"Two angels, one of life, and one of death," came to Coltswood Manor in the early dawn of the next morning.

The first cry of Katharine Crampton's child was heard, just as the last sigh of the old Squire had been breathed out, after many hours of struggle and distress.

Cuthbert had never left his father's side, and his prayers were granted.

A few moments' consciousness was given to the dying man, and he held Cuthbert's hand, and called him "his good son."

Again he whispered: "I repent. I am sorry. I was forced into it.” But nothing further passed, and the last breath was hardly drawn when Miles Crampton called Cuthbert aside.

"Let us understand each other, my good cousin,"

he said. "Everything in this place belongs to me. I am master here; and my son, of whose birth I am just informed, is my heir."

Cuthbert bowed, as if in acquiescence, and silently left the room.

On the stairs he was met by old Grizel.

"She is

Shall we

very ill-goes out of one faint into another. She calls for Drusilla Allen, the lace-maker.

send for her ?"

"Yes, by all means; and at once. Oh, Grizel, what a night this has been! But we parted in love, thank God for that! He was sorry he had wronged me; and I dare to hope he was penitent before God."

Cuthbert's voice faltered, and he turned to the window of the corridor and looked out on the landscape bathed in the level beams of the rising sun. He could see the Ouse shining here and there in the light; the budding trees were distinctly traced against the clear blue sky. Every blade of grass and each tender emerald leaf on the branches of the lilacs and laburnums immediately below the window was hung with drops of dew, which sparkled and glittered like diamonds.

A spring morning, full of awakening life and coming loveliness; and in the room he had just left, the last hours of a misspent life had been told

out.

"Into the hands of Infinite Love I commend him," Cuthbert said, as he bowed his head for a few

moments on his hands, and then turned to Grizel. "Is the child yonder likely to live?"

"Yes; it's fine and strong. But the motherthat's a different story. I don't believe she'll pull through. Oh! Master Cuthbert, do 'ee send for Drusilla Allen; she cries for her piteously!"

Cuthbert did not delay, and was soon riding down the avenue towards Olney. He drew up his horse before Drusilla's house. She was already at her breakfast-a solitary breakfast now, for her mother was dead, and Susan married again, and little Moll gone with her mother, and so Drusilla's life was a lonely one.

pur

But it was true of her that "He setteth the solitary in families." The children of the neighbours were cared for and taught. Drusilla's cottage was ever open to all who were troubled, or sinful, or distressed, and none went empty away. She still sued her work as a lace-maker, that she might have the means to give to them that needed. When she heard the sound of horse's feet she went to the door, and the morning light shone on her still beautiful face as she looked up at Cuthbert.

"Drusilla, Mrs. Crampton is very ill. She cries incessantly for you. Will you go to her at once?" "Can I gain admittance ?" Drusilla asked.

66

Yes, Grizel will be on the watch for you, and Giles. My father died at five o'clock this morning; and Katharine's boy was born at almost the same. moment."