and, with a magisterial air, imperiously commanded that functionary to take two young men into custody who were assisting at the vicarious _auto-da-fè_, and whom he indicated by name. “I don’t see as they’ve done nothing to be took up for,” said the constable, without moving; “they’s on’y amusing of themselves; and, to tell ’ee the truth, Master Potts, I don’t see as you’ve no cause to interfere yoursen, seeing as _you don’t belong to the Parish_;” and then a loud and angry shout arose from the crowd, amidst which Mr. Potts, with a curse, ordered the coachman to drive on. On leaving the Manor, Mr. Potts returned to the house which he had formerly occupied in Clitheroe, which had remained vacant from the time of his accession to the property of Holmcastle; but the haughtiness and bullying attitude which he had displayed on his elevation to his former friends and clients at Clitheroe was remembered against him on his return, and, finding that he was no longer consulted on legal business, he retired to Manchester, where he took to hard drinking, and soon after died in a fit of _delirium tremens_. After Mr. Elthorne and Mr. Merivale had returned to Lancashire, Mary Elthorne remained at Hampton Court as the guest of Evelyn; and the Duke, obtaining leave of absence, came to stay with his mother, in order to be near his friend; so the four young people were much together. It only wanted about three months to the day when Wilfred would come of age, and when the same important epoch in the Duke’s life would take place only a few days later. It was therefore agreed that the Duchess and her son should accompany Evelyn and her brother to Holmcastle, for the coming of age of the latter, and that the whole party should then proceed together to Ribblesdale Castle, where great festivities were projected, to celebrate the Duke’s taking possession of his estates. Wilfred soon began to find that his new position as a landowner was not without its troubles. One morning he received the following letter, which was but a specimen of many which he received within a short time of his being gazetted:-- Holmcastle Rectory, _Saturday Night_. MY DEAR WILFRED,