against the enormities to which I have been witness, or to repair some of the evil I have done. I have laid aside my priestly habit. I know not if you were before aware that I held an official office in the church. But shortly, I believe, I shall be enveloped in my shroud. I have but one wish on this side of the grave; it is to see you, my beloved brother, (may I call you so?) and to receive from your hands the communion of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the rites of the Church of England. I have no relation on earth to whom I dare to go; grievously I have offended them. May Heaven pardon this and all my other sins, for the Lord Christ's sake. Farewell!

"And believe me, Sir,

"Your ever obliged,

"LUDOVICO di Beroni."

We subjoin Mr. Vernon's answer.

"TO SIGNOR LUDOVICO DI BERONI.

"Ashton Rectory, Sept. 183-.

"Dear Sir,-Your messenger is so anxious

not to be detained, that I have scarcely time to acknowledge your most welcome letter, informing me that it had pleased the Lord to show to you the exceeding love wherewith he hath loved us, in the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ, and enabled you to cast from you all that is contrary to his holy law. May he that is mighty strengthen you, and be especially near to you: he is very faithfulness, and as out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined' into your heart, may your soul make you boast thereof, and be glad. It will afford me, and I am sure I may assure you of the same for Mrs. Vernon, very sincere pleasure to receive you here. May God give us to meet in the fulness of the gospel of Christ,-may we discern more of him who is chiefest among ten thousand,' and be more powerfully strengthened to fulfil all the good pleasure of his will, till that hour when we shall enter into the joy of our Lord.

66

"Believe me, dear Sir,

Very faithfully your sincere friend,

"LIONEL T. VERNON."

340

CHAPTER X.

THE sun was setting in matchless beauty, with a lavish hand scattering his glories over the face of nature, as if, ere he went to illumine other worlds, he was giving, in the last burst of his effulgence, a more brilliant display of his might. The varied and mellowed autumnal tints of the foliage were conspicuous amid the glowing scene; and on the venerable church of Ashton, which crested the brow of a richly-wooded hill, the sunny rays discovered to the beholder its beautifully classic architecture, around which the ivy "in close embrace twined its wood," the growth of which was most luxuriant. The noble mansion of Ashton Hall was another striking point in the prospect; its irregular but not

less picturesque form was a happy contrast to the church;-some part of it was gothic, and of an early date; but later proprietors, consulting more their own ease than uniformity, had made additions very dissimilar: still, however, there was sufficient of the former building left to mark its antiquity; the grand entrance, and entrance-hall, were still admired by the curious, while the old gateway, over which but faint traces of the family armorial bearings remained, bespoke the ravages time had made, as well as the honourable descent of its proprietor.

On the evening to which we have referred, Mr. Vernon was returning home, having been detained late on some parish business at the house of a friend. To his great surprise, he was accosted by the countryman who had brought Beroni's letters. No longer under orders of silence, he returned to his natural volubility.

"Right glad to find you, sir," said he to Mr. Vernon; "my master is resting yonder: you know, perhaps, sir, he is ill, very ill, and not fit to come even here; we left the mail

at a little bit from here, as you know, sir, and are going to your honour's house, sir

It was all to no purpose to attempt to stop the voluble countryman; and, before Mr. Vernon had time to make any inquiry, he had left him, and was running towards a gentleman at some distance. Mr. Vernon, however, lost no time in following him. He very shortly met the stranger, and welcomed him with the most friendly cordiality.

"I have the pleasure of seeing Signor Beroni," said Mr. Vernon, addressing him in Italian.

But the stranger seemed unable to reply. He merely bowed, but through the strong emotion which was visible on his countenance, the smile of pleasure was distinctly

seen.

"Ah, that's not all the name, though; no, nor the best part, sir," said the Irish servant; "his dear country is none of these foreign parts, no, that it is not-is it, dear?" continued he; but still Beroni answered not. Mr. Vernon, perceiving that they would be much