the entrance, at the opposite end to the carved side-table, was concealed by a heavy velvet curtain. The room itself was charming; a sarge oriel window gave light enough for its eize, even though filled with lattice-panes; the oak floor was partially covered with a handsome Turkish carpet-very rare in those days. The treasures of the East seemed to be accumulated around, for Chinese cabinets of great beauty, japanned in black and gold, ornamented one side of the room, filled with lovely china, ivory chessmen, gold and silver idols, work-boxes of sandal-wood, and huge jars, were to be seen, collected and arranged around with much taste.

The chimney-piece was also of carved wood, and, let into the oak-work, which framed the picture, was a painting of great beauty, representing two half-length figures; one an officer in naval uniform, a fair slight handsome man, the other a young girl, whose delicate hands were clasped round the arm of her com

panion ;-in her we can recognize the youthful form of Anne, robed in white brocaded silk, with lace ruffles round the white throat, a rose in the fair brown hair; it is indeed the same face, younger, evidently, by ten years; the sweet girlish face breathing love and hope and peace as she fondly gazes up to her youthful husband. No touch of anxiety, no care rests there! no shadow of coming sorrow! "Heaven from all creatures hides the Book of Fate!"

Still can we read upon Anne's plaintive countenance peace and hope and resignation; but bitter grief and humiliation have left their impress there. Those who have the gift of leading faces-and each tells its tale-could discern the trials that had left their traces on the lovely features. As upon the mighty deep the calm that succeeds the storm bears upon its surface the remnants of foam-the mast, the plank, the cask, the torn sail, telling us too surely of the past hurricane; Letraying the

awful ravages, the lives, the hopes, the fears, engulfed for aye beneath that now placid ocean-bosom, so is it with the human face; the soul shines forth purified, ennobled, through such suffering, but the expression betrays the conquered anguish, the hardly-won resignation.

The cup of sorrow destined for that fair girl's lips had been indeed full of scalding drops, but they had not burnt away the faith, the love, which filled the heart; they gave her strength to bow her head, and drink in resignation, and the accepted sorrow strengthened her into life and hope again.

In her God she found her comfort, in her son her consolation.

It was into this room, so full of recollections and gifts from foreign lands, that Hugh conducted the Admiral, and leaving him, he went to call his mother.

Admiral Byron, often called "Foul-weather Jack," from the fact of his always encountering

a gale of wind when first starting on his many voyages, knew the room well. Captain Thomas Christian and he had been messmates together, and many of the beautiful objects it contained had been presents from Admiral Byron himself.

Sadly he looked round, recognizing many of the beautiful gifts, all intact and well-preserved, while his friend, the noble heart, the gallant officer, was no more. Nothing strikes so sadly upon our feelings as the freshness, the perfect preservation of material things, when we are mourning the friend to whom they once belonged.

The Admiral, after gazing round for a few seconds, turned to the mantel-piece and looked intently upon the well-recollected portraits of his lamented messmate and his young and lovely wife, whom he remembered also in her youth and beauty. The kind handsome face of Admiral Byron softened as he gazed, and his clear, earnest eyes grew dim.

CHAPTER III.

THE ADMIRAL'S RECEPTION.

'HE Admiral was still deep in contem

THE

plating the touching picture when Ann, gently opened the door, and advancing into the room made a slight reverence, then in fashion; the Admiral turned hastily, and bowing low advanced, and taking her hand raised it to his lips, conducting her kindly to a seatmuch overcome himself.

Anne betrayed much emotion, and her old friend said, with great feeling, "Dear madam, I can imagine my visit agitates you, bringing many painful recollections to your heart. Most deeply have I mourned my friend Tom, and his