For a moment Fred Bingham felt as though he would have fallen. Fortunately Captain Bradshaw, in the exuberance of his feelings, patting him on the back, shaking his hand, and demanding his congratulations, gave him time to rally and collect his thoughts before he was called upon to speak. At any rate, his uncle’s warmth proved that his first suspicion had been incorrect—Barton had not betrayed the bargain between them. At last he said, “Really, uncle, I am so surprised I hardly know what to say. Are you in earnest—is this gentleman really your grandson? I had no idea you had one.” “No more had I, Fred, not the slightest in the world. Can’t tell you all the story now—found it out quite by accident. Most extraordinary coincidence. James, this is my nephew Fred, of whom you have often heard me speak.” “I am sure, uncle, I am truly glad at the discovery,” Fred Bingham said, with great warmth; “this is, indeed, a most providential restoration.” “Isn’t it, Fred? Just what I say myself—just what Alice says.” Fred now uttered a few words to James, as he shook hands with him, expressing his great pleasure at meeting with a new relation, who would, he knew, add so much to the happiness of Captain Bradshaw; and then he turned to speak to Alice. Between them now it was declared war, and Fred felt in the sparkle of Alice’s eye, and in the slight sarcastic smile on her lips, that she had read his first horrified surprise, and appraised his subsequent phrases at their true value. “Is not this indeed a strange and unexpected pleasure?” she said; “I knew you would join so heartily in our delight.” Confident and secure as Alice was of her own position, and fearless as she was by nature, she could scarcely repress a little shiver at the glance of deadly hate which Fred Bingham gave her from under his fair eyelashes. Then, as his uncle was speaking to the cripple, he answered in a low tone, “It is indeed, Miss Heathcote; it is a pity that the one member of the family is absent whose presence would make your happiness complete.” Feeling contented in the thought that he was nearly quits in this little sparring match, Fred turned and sat down by James, and entered into an animated conversation with him. Cool-headed as he was, however, he could not sustain this long. He wanted to be away in quiet to think over this unexpected misfortune. He soon pleaded an engagement, and rose to leave. Captain Bradshaw, however, insisted on his going down to the library with him, in order that he might give him a short narrative of the matters relating to his newly-found grandson. Fred kept up his attention to the narrative, uttering short ejaculations of wonder or pleasure in their proper places. When Captain Bradshaw had finished his narrative he said,—