It was three days later, that in accordance with his proposition to the Duke of Falmouth to act as amanuensis to Lord Norton in his cousin’s place, he went to Englewood to begin his work under the old lord’s direction, little dreaming of the surprise and joy in store for him there. When the butler answered his ring, he stated his business, and was shown directly to the invalid’s chamber, where he found him propped up in bed with manuscripts lying all about him, and impatiently awaiting his appearance. He spent several hours, learning the plan of the work, making notes, and even venturing a few suggestions upon some points regarding which he was well posted, and then took his leave promising to get regularly to work the next day. As he was following the servant down stairs, the man remarked that his carriage was not ready, but if he would step into the library for a few moments, he would inform him when it came to the door. He signified his willingness to do so and passed down the wide old hall, which was paneled in oak exquisitively carved, to a lofty room, furnished and frescoed in rich tints, and lined from floor to ceiling with books of every description. It was a most luxurious apartment, and plainly indicated that the old lord, eccentric though he might be on some points, had loved the elegancies of life. If he had been something of a miser, as report accredited him, it could not have been in anything relating to his own comfort or tastes. Sir William sat down by a table that was drawn close to a cheerful fire, and, leaning back lazily in the huge lounging chair stationed there, he took up the morning paper which lay open at his hand. He had read scarcely a dozen lines, when the door behind him opened and some one came forward, saying, in an eager tone: “Oh, Virgie, I have just found an old Bible up stairs, in which there are records of all family births, marriages, and deaths for many generations; my grandmother’s and my mother’s are among them and correspond exactly with those I have—ah! excuse me; sir—I thought—oh, Heaven!”—— CHAPTER XXIII. REUNITED. Virginia Alexander had gone up to her room less than half an hour previous, leaving Virgie in the library reading, and snugly ensconced in that great lounging chair by the fire. While looking for something in a closet, she had come across the old Bible referred to, and opening it for examination, she had found a complete genealogical record covering more than a century and a half. Delighted with her discovery, she hastened back to Virgie—who meantime had stolen out for a little exercise—eager to tell her news, and, coming into the room turning the leaves of the book, she had not noticed that a stranger was there until Sir William suddenly arose, his heart bounding within him at the sound of that well-remembered voice, and turned toward her.