"John, the Melcombes have stayed on the Continent so much longer than I expected that I hardly remember whether I told you I had invited them to come round this way, and remain here a few days on their return." Old Augustus Mortimer said this to his son, who was dining with him a few days after the conversation concerning the wedding present. "I supposed," he added, "that you would not invite that child or his mother again?" John Mortimer replied, in clear and vigorous English, that he never should--never! The manner in which he was looked after by the ladies had become quite a joke in the family, though one of his chief tormentors had lately been moved out of his way, Louisa Grant was married. Captain Walker had at first, after Mr. Mortimer's death, agreed to wait for her till Brandon's return; but his regiment being ordered abroad, he had induced her to hasten the wedding, which took place about three months before Brandon reached England. And as Louisa did not, out of respect to her step-father, like to be married from his house so soon after his death, old Grand had received and entertained all the wedding guests, and John Mortimer had given away the bride. On that occasion it was confidently asserted by the remaining Miss Grant and Valentine, that there were four ladies present who would at any time with pleasure undertake to act the loving mother to dear John's seven children. John was becoming rather sensitive; he remembered how sweetly Mrs. Melcombe Had smiled on him, and he remembered the ghost story too. "I rather want to see how that boy is getting on," continued Augustus. "By-the-bye," said the son, "I heard to my surprise the other day from Swan, whose son, it seems, was doing some work at Melcombe this spring (making a greenhouse, I think), that Mrs. Melcombe wintered at Mentone, partly on her boy's account, for he had a feverish or aguish illness at Venice, and she was advised not to bring him to England." "I never heard of it," said Grand, with anxiety. "Nor I, my dear father; but I meant to have told you before; for I see you take an interest in the child." "What imprudence!" continued Grand; "those people really have no sense. I begged them particularly not to go to Venice in the autumn." "Yes," said John, "it was foolish; but Swan went on to say that he heard the boy was all right again." "I hope so," replied Grand, almost fervently; "and his mother wants to consult us now about his going to school." John could not forbear to smile when his father said "us." "So you have written to say you shall be glad to see them?" he inquired. "Yes; it is very little I ever see of my relations." John thought that perhaps his father's mind was turning with affection towards his family, from whom he did not now doubt that he had been estranged owing to some cause which had terminated with the old mother's death. So he said cordially--