miral took a long draught of the wine-so long, indeed, that Hugh involuntarily looked nervous lest the christening should be forgotten.

The Admiral read the expression of his eyes, for he put down the goblet, laughing and saying, "There's enough, Hugh, to christen many toy ships left! and now here goes! With that he put the boat into the water with one hand, and with the other threw the wine over her, saying, as he pushed her off, " Good luck to the little Anne!"

Hugh and Topaze waved their caps and shouted, undismayed by the presence of the kind Admiral, and watched with joy the little brig as she gallantly sailed rapidly across the pond, the wind having risen considerably, and the ripples, now in little wavelets, gave motion enough to the balanced vessel, but though she rolled and pitched in fine style she remained upright, and all united to make the miniature naval scene complete!

"Oh, sir," said Hugh now, gratefully, "I am so much obliged to you for your kindness! I am so fond of my ships, and wish I could be a real sailor!"

"So you shall, Hugh, if your lady mother consents, and that's what brings me here. Now we will leave Topaze to bring the goblet back and take care of the ship, and stroll up to the house."

Hugh walked confidentially by the Admiral's side, and was somewhat surprised at the know ledge he showed of the little path leading to the oak avenue, which led up to the porch of the Manor House.

CHAPTER II.

THE MOTHER.

A

NNE CHRISTIAN, the lady of the

Manor of Hooknorton, the mother of young Hugh, who interrupted her domestic employment in the store-room in so brusque a way, was the widow of Captain Thomas Christian of the Royal Navy, and still a lovely woman of only eight-and-twenty.

Her attire even at this early hour was both elegant and picturesque; a black silk half-high dress, with kirtle in the style of that day; her bosom covered with folds of fine Indian muslin, and sleeves of the same, turned back, for the convenience of her work, and displaying her

white arms; the fair hair, raised high off the forehead, over a cushion, and little curls escaping round her head, framed as interesting a face as one could behold anywhere; the expression of her countenance was inexpressibly plaintive and sweet, the eyebrows delicately marked, but almost straight, the eyes a bright changing grey, with long dark lashes, the nose small and short, the mouth beautiful. A point lace kerchief was lightly thrown over the hair and tied under the chin, setting off the delicate complexion.

The white hands, the dignity of Anne's appearance and manner, even in the midst of her homely occupation, the "je ne sais quoi" of her whole appearance, bore the unmistakable "cachet" of birth, and proclaimed the noble blood of the Lady of the Manor, her father having been Owen Hughes, Esq., of North Wales, a near member of Lord Dinorben's family. She was an only child, and heiress.

In common with ladies of birth and position in the eighteenth century, Anne herself fulfilled the daily duties of housekeeper in her household. Every department at Hooknorton was under her own superintendence, the dairy, the kitchen, the store-room, all had their portion of time; and the education of her only son Hugh, when with her from school, occupied several hours; for, highly educated herself, she was anxious to impart to him her knowledge of French, and above all, some of those deep and precious truths, learnt at the beloved mother's knee, and constantly the charmed amulet a man wears through life upon his heart!

These occupations, with the recreation of tapestry, the daily-written diary, and when possible some study of the favourite works of Milton and Shakespeare, which in those days were cherished and read as "household words" by the educated of the land, filled