“There, now, sit down and think no more of this folly.” He opened a large pocket-book as he spoke, and searching for some time amongst its contents, at last took forth a small slip of paper. “Ay, here it is,” said he: “'Sale of West Indian estates; resident commissionership; two thousand per annum, with allowance for house,' &c. Sir Hepton Wallis was to have it. Would this suit you, Hankes? The climate agrees with many constitutions.” “Oh, as to the climate,” said Hankes, trembling with eagerness and delight, “I 'd not fear it.” “And then with ample leave of absence from time to time, and a retiring allowance, after six years' service, of--if I remember aright--twelve hundred a year. What say you? It must be filled up soon. Shall I write your name instead of Sir Hepton's?” “Oh, sir, this is, indeed, generosity!” “No, Hankes, mere justice; nothing more. The only merit I can lay claim to in the matter is the sacrifice I make in separating myself from a well-tried and trusted adherent.” “These reports shall be ready immediately, sir,” said Hankes. “I 'll not go to bed to-night--” “We have ample time for everything, Hankes; don't fatigue yourself, and be here at twelve to-morrow.” CHAPTER XXIII. ANNESLEY BEECHER IN A NEW PART. About five weeks have elapsed since we last sojourned with Grog Davis and his party at the little village of Holbach. Five weeks are a short period in human life, but often enough has it sufficed to include great events, and to make marvellous changes in a man's fortunes! Now, the life they all led here might seem well suited to exclude such calculations. Nothing seemed less likely to elicit vicissitudes. It was a calm, tame monotony; each day so precisely like its predecessor that it was often hard to remember how the week stole on. The same landscape, with almost the same effects of sun and shadow, stretched daily before their eyes; the same gushing water foamed and fretted; the same weeds bent their heads to the flood; the self-same throbbing sounds of busy mills mingled with the rushing streams; the very clouds, as they dragged themselves lazily up the mountain side, and then broke into fragments on the summit, seemed the same; and yet in that little world of three people there was the endless conflict of hope and fear, and all the warring interests which distract great masses of men filled their hearts and engaged their minds.