A very few days had elapsed since the event, recorded in our preceding chapter had taken place, when intelligence reached the castle, that the young heir of Penruth Abbey had arrived there from Lisbon. The servant, who brought this news, was the bearer also of a letter from Cornet Roberts to our hero, signifying that he was charged with a letter from Major Wilson to his father, which with permission, he would have the honour of delivering into his hands. The answer of our hero expressed every thing, that hospitality and politeness could convey; but certain reasons, still in force, prevailed with him to avoid, for the present at least, a visit to the abbey. A very short time however brought young Roberts to the castle, where he was received with all possible cordiality. He had left his friend the Major on the point of setting out for the review at Elvas, and as his marriage with Maria Devereux had taken place, the bride and her father had been invited, and were preparing to accompany him in the royal suite: in his letter to the Colonel he announces his intention of coming over to England upon the close of the campaign, and the family seat in Herefordshire was by order of Mr. Devereux furnishing and preparing for his reception. Prosperity had flowed in upon him; promotion awaited him, and every thing seemed conspiring for his happiness. Roberts in the mean time ingratiated himself to every body, old or young, in the family of De Lancaster, by that modesty of mind and manners, in which his sudden turn of fortune made no change. He made frequent short excursions to the Abbey, where he had projected several considerable works for the occupation and employment of the labouring poor; but his delicacy never suffered him to ask John De Lancaster to accompany him. John attended upon him however to the house of old Ap Rees, when he went to invest him with the annuity settled upon him and his son. The business was so cautiously introduced, and so delicately conducted, that it created no very painful agitation on the part of the old man--I have so deep a sense, said Roberts, of the injuries you have received from the deceased person, whose property, but not whose principles, I inherit, that so long as life is granted to me, I will be the friend of you and all that may belong to you or yours; so be assured--The venerable minstrel bowed his head; but the sad recollection of his dear-loved daughter weighed upon his heart, and he was silent.