"You are well provided for, for the rest of your natural life-six hundred a year is quite enough for you."

"Quite, thank God!"

"I came up to London to make my will, and I have made your eldest son my heir."

"Aunt Gregory! this is most generous-unexpected!"

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Why, who did you think would get my property? I can't take it with me, you know, and I am near eighty."

"But you have others

There's two hundred a year to Priscilla for life; at her death it is to revert to Alick. Then each of your children gets a hundred a year, absolutely. Coombe Radnor-and I've kept the place up to its full value-will be Alick's."

And the next day Aunt Gregory went home, eased in mind that her substance was worthily promised, and that she might run no risks of its going away to strangers.

Everybody eat and drank well at Coombe Radnor on Christmas Day. Even idle Tom Smith looked sillily jolly, although he had notice to quit his cottage. And the astonished "heir," who had not dreamed of his Christmas

holiday being marked by such an ovation, looked as fine and genial a young squire as the countryside could desire.

"You'll get an allowance from me after this, paid to your account at Coutts's, quarterly," had been Mrs. Gregory's parting words to Alick. "You must take a run down occasionally, to see the people here; but stick to your London work, for I daresay I shall live to be a hundred!"

When Alick got home and recounted all the wondrous news, not the least startling was the following, delivered in the midst of the astonished circle of which Violet was one :

"Aunt Prissy is going to be married!"

Nonsense, Alick; you shouldn't make fun of your aunt!" from mamma.

"Impossible!" from the Vicar; "she's just

fifty."

"Who could ask her?" from Jessie.

Wound up by warm expressions of greed for wedding-cake from Millie and Eddie, and a look of curiosity and amusement from Violet.

"It's perfectly true; I saw the man,” further announced Alick; "and he is rector of the parish."

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Fancy old Prissy marrying!" ruminated the Vicar, a smile of amusement on his face, and unconscious that he was speaking aloud until he caught the laughter of his children.

"I will write and tell Bob!" cried Jessie, beaming with fun.

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'Yes; and let me put in a line to tell him of my good luck," said Alick. "You are to go down and tie the knot, when the wedding comes off, father, and I think I had better offer to give the bride away!"

CHAPTER XXV.

SUCH piles of home-made bread and country butter; such big jugs of new milk stood on the long table in the dining-room at Apple-tree Farm; some plum cakes graced the board, and a high basketful of apples stood on a side table, a donation from Mr. Mills.

It was nearly four o'clock, and Violet and Miss Mordaunt stood before the glowing log fire, listening for a sound of wheels; and presently they heard them coming nearer and nearer, and went out into the hall and on to the low doorway, where Violet welcomed with happy face and gentle voice a crowd of pale little ones, a pleasant-looking matron, and a shy young teacher.

"Let them have tea at once," said Violet ; "everything is ready, and it will cheer them after the cold journey."

So the motley little group were relieved of

their hats, and seated at the board,—and their faces were a study. Hungry they were, and astonished they were, but amongst that little throng, not a few threw back regrets for the dirty, squalid home they had left. There is often a mistake made, that very poor children only need comfort in the shape of food and warmth. Sorely these necessaries are missed by them, none will doubt; but more hearts than we hear of yearn for the familiar sight of broken chairs, crying babies, and in short, all the surroundings that they have regarded as part and parcel of "home." So, beside that wellfilled board some lips drooped, and eyes watered; but gentle pity saw and felt the cause, and knew that time was needed to make the change in their lives entirely happy.

Good fires, good clothes, awaited the little wanderers, and before the founder of the home departed, a fervent prayer for blessing on the inmates was offered.

"One good work started, my Violet," said Miss Mordaunt gently; "only the beginning of many, I feel sure."

"What happiness it brings!" answered Violet.

"One feels sometimes, how can what

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