When the curate burst into his wife’s sitting-room with the joyful news that he was to be the Vicar of Haymore, his impetuous delight was not inspired by family affection alone, although he was deeply sensible of the benefits his beloved ones would derive from the commodious house and grounds and the liberal income attached to the living; but he was relieved and satisfied to know that his new flock, in whom he had already become interested, would not be turned over to the wolf in sheep’s clothing he knew Cassius Leegh to be. Mrs. Campbell received his news with a stare of stupefaction. “What do you mean?” she inquired at length. “I mean that Mr. Randolph Hay—the real Mr. Randolph Hay—the real Squire of Haymore—has offered me the living of Haymore, which is in his gift, and has invited me to dine with him this evening to talk over the affair, and begged me to waive ceremony and bring my wife and daughter with me to meet his wife and friends. And this he asks as a particular favor, for particular reasons which shall be explained when we meet, he adds. Of course I shall go, and you will both accompany me,” he concluded. “Of course we will,” readily responded Hetty. “Oh, papa!” exclaimed Jennie in dismay. “What are you afraid of, my dear?” “Nothing. But, oh, papa, if I might only remain at home!” “Jennie, dear, would you disoblige a man who is about to confer a great benefit upon you?” “Not for the world, papa. I will go if you think my failure to do so would displease Mr. Hay.” “I do not think it would ‘displease’ him in the sense of angering him, my dear; for, by Longman’s account, he is one of the most amiable and considerate of men; but I do think, from the tone of his note, that it would disappoint him, for evidently he has a very strong motive for wanting our presence at Haymore.” “Then certainly I will go. But have you any idea, papa, what that motive can be?” “I think I have, my dear. You know that he who is now in possession is the rightful squire. But surely you have not forgotten that the fraudulent claimant has been daily expected for a week past.” “Oh!” exclaimed Hetty and Jennie in a breath. “Well, he is certainly on his way to the Hall this afternoon, and without a suspicion that the rightful owner of Haymore is in possession.” “Oh, Jim!” “Oh, papa!” These exclamations broke simultaneously from the lips of mother and daughter. “Yes, my dear ones; the felon, when he shall enter the Hall to take possession, as he will think, of his stolen estate, will be confronted by the friend he treacherously assassinated and plundered and left for dead to be devoured by the wolves of the Black Woods in California, eight months ago.” “Oh, Jim!” “Oh, papa!” “It is a terrible story, my dear ones, as Longman has told it. But retribution is at hand.” “And do you think, Jim, that Mr. Hay also wants the bigamist to be confronted by his forsaken wife?” “Yes, dear, I think he does.” “Oh, papa! papa!” cried Jennie, turning pale.