Again the invalid relapsed into silence and shut his eyes. Gradually he fell into a quiet slumber, from which, about two hours later, he awoke with a start under the impression that he had omitted to say something. Looking up he found that his mother had taken Emma's place. He at once asked why she had not told Emma about the change in his fortunes. "Because I thought it best," said Mrs Willders, "to leave you to tell her yourself, Frank." "Well, mother, I depute you to tell her now, and pray do it without delay. I offered to give her up a short time ago, but she refused to listen to me." "I'm glad to hear it," replied the widow with a smile. "I always thought her a good, sensible girl." "Hm! so did I," said Frank, "and something more." Once again he became silent, and, as an inevitable consequence, fell fast asleep. In which satisfactory state we will leave him while we run briefly over the events of his subsequent history. In direct opposition to the opinion of all his doctors, Frank not only recovered the use of all his limbs, but became as well and strong as ever--and the great fire in Tooley Street left no worse marks upon him than a few honourable scars. His recovery, however, was tedious. The state of his health, coupled with the state of his fortune, rendered it advisable that he should seek the benefit of country air, so he resigned his situation in the London Fire Brigade--resigned it, we may add, with deep regret, for some of his happiest days had been spent in connection with that gallant corps.