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the Swedo-Norwegian kingdom to left our Government in the lurch share the same fate at the hands of on the Danish question. But both Russia? Or is a united Scandinavian parties find it is now high time to kingdom to appear on the scene, make up their differences. The emerging from the wreck and ruin Palmerston Cabinet are humiliated of a bloody war? Be the immediate and helpless, and they want the issue of this Dano-German conflict help of France to enable them to what it may, it will excite the am- assume an attitude in foreign affairs bition of nationalities and the mu- which would re-establish their poptual jealousies of rulers. Are the ularity at home. Napoleon, on his Duchies to be annexed to their part, sees that the course of ContiFatherland, and Venetia not united nental politics is taking an unfavto Italy? Is Germany to aggran- ourable turn for him, and he is now dise herself by the conquest of Den- ready to renew in the closest form mark, and France have no commen- his alliance with England. The surate extension on the Rhine? Is publication in the 'Morning Post' - Germany herself not likely to be of the forged despatches of the torn by internal dissensions? and new "Holy Alliance" was a clever may not a third Power, a popular stroke to excite apprehensions, and confederation, arise in the Father- to influence public opinion in both land, which will lean on France as countries in favour of closer relaa counterpoise to the power which tions between the two great LibRussia may throw into the scale on eral Powers of Europe. behalf of Austria and Prussia? If A good understanding between might is to make right, what hope this country and France, and a is there any longer for the indepen- hearty co-operation in all matters dence of little states like Belgium, in which we have common interests, Holland, Switzerland, and Portu- is a sound principle of policy. It gal? Once set in motion the waves of a great war, and old landmarks will be submerged, and Europe will hardly know herself when she emerges from the stormy flood. We fear that Europe is only at the beginning of her troubles, and it be hoves England to watch narrowly the conduct of the men who are now at the helm of her affairs.

It is to be expected that, during the recess, Lord Palmerston will seek to regain his credit by some bold stroke of policy. He cannot be content to close his long career in ignominious failure. And it is probable that the course of foreign politics will be such as to offer only too many opportunities, if not temptations, for the Premier to resort to his favourite game of rash but brilliant coups. He can do nothing without the co-operation of the French Emperor. The British Government left the Emperor in the lurch on the Polish question, and again in the matter of the Congress. The Emperor in turn has

No

is a most desirable object; but it
must be pursued with caution and
within the limits which we have
specified. In the changes now in
progress or impending on the Con-
tinent, France has different interests
from those of England, and some
which are opposed to ours.
object is at present apparent which
could compensate us for engag-
ing in a European war; and, to
say the least, it is no business of
ours to help France to seize the
Rhine provinces, to annex Belgium,
and to convert Antwerp into an
impregnable station for her fleet.
We have not forgotten the saying
of the First Napoleon, that "Ant-
werp (then in his possession) is a
loaded pistol held at the head of
England." Rather than become the
ally of France in a European war,
we believe Lord Russell would re-
sign. But we are not sure that the
Premier and Lord Clarendon, who
may soon take Lord Russell's place
in the Cabinet, may not drift into
acquiescence with the Emperor's

schemes. Lord Palmerston is resolved to hold on to the last; and something must be done to re-establish his reputation and to close his career in credit, if not in a perilous blaze of glory. Hence the necessity of keeping a sharp watch on his policy during the recess. With him as Premier,the securities for peace unquestionably diminished." Far be it from us to say that England ought to view with indifference the events on the Continent, or that under no circumstances should she take part in a European war. But it is a matter of the highest importance that England should

are

not be led into such a war blindfold, or be allowed to drift into it, either through the incapacity of the Ministry or in subservience to its temporary interests. By all means let our friendly relations with France be re-established. It was the fault of the present Ministry that they were interrupted. But let us not pay too dear for the bargain, nor purchase the co-operation of Napoleon in measures for restoring the prestige of the Ministry, by entering into engagements and entanglements which will prove detrimental to the best interests of the country.

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MR. WENTWORTH did not accept Mrs. Morgan's sudden invitation, partly because his "people" did not leave Carlingford that evening, and partly because, though quite amiably disposed towards the Rector, whom he had worsted in fair fight, he was not sufficiently interested in anything he was like to hear or see in Mr. Morgan's house to move him to spend his evening there. He returned a very civil answer to the invitation of the Rector's wife, thanking her warinly for her friendliness, and explaining that he could not leave his father on the last night of his stay in Carlingford; after which he went to dinner at his aunts', where the household was still much agitated. Not to speak of all the events which had happened and were happening, Jack, who had begun to tire of his new character of the repentant prodigal, had shown himself in a new light that evening, and was preparing to leave, to the relief of all parties. The prodigal, who no longer pretended to be penitent, had taken the conversation into his own hands at dinner.

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"I have had things my own way since I came here," said Jack; "somehow it appears I have a great luck for having things my own way. It is you scrupulous people who think of others and of such antiquated stuff as duty, and so forth, that get yourselves into difficulties. My dear aunt, I am going away; if I were to re main an inmate of this house-I mean to say, could I look forward to the privilege of continuing a member of this Christian familyanother day, I should know better how to conduct myself; but I am going back to my bad courses, aunt Dora; I am returning to the world-"

"Oh! Jack, my dear, I hope not," said aunt Dora, who was much bewildered, and did not know what to say.

"Too true," said the relapsed sinner; "and considering all the lessons you have taught me, don't you think it is the best thing I could do? There is my brother Frank, who has been carrying other people about on his shoulders, and doing his duty; but I don't see

that you good people are at all moved in his behalf. You leave him to fight his way by himself, and confer your benefits elsewhere, which is an odd sort of lesson for a worldling like me. As for Gerald, you know he's a virtuous fool, as I have heard you all declare. There is nothing in the world that I can see to prevent him keeping his living and doing as he pleases, as most parsons do. However, that's his own business. It is Frank's case which is the edifying case to me. If my convictions of sin had gone just a step farther," said the pitiless critic, "if I had devoted myself to bring ing others to repentance, as is the first duty of a reformed sinner, my aunt Leonora would not have hesitated to give Skelmersdale to

me"

"Jack, hold your tongue," said Miss Leonora; but though her cheeks burned, her voice was not so firm as usual, and she actually failed in putting down the man who had determined to have his say.

"Fact, my dear aunt," said Jack: "if I had been a greater rascal than I am, and gone a little farther, you and your people would have thought me quite fit for a cure of souls. I'd have come in for your good things that way as well as other ways; but here is Frank, who even I can see is a right sort of parson. I don't pretend to fix theological opinions," said this unlooked-for oracle, with a comic glance aside at Gerald, the most unlikely person present to make any response; but, so far as I can see, he's a kind of fellow most men would be glad to make a friend of when they were under a cloud-not that he was ever very civil to me. I tell you, 80 far from rewarding him for being of the true sort, you do nothing but snub him, that I can see. He looks to me as good for work as any man I know; but you'll give your livings to any kind of wretched make-believe before you'll give them to Frank. I am aware," said the heir of the Wentworths,

with a momentary flush, "that I have never been considered much of a credit to the family; but if I were to announce my intention of marrying and settling, there is not one of the name that would not lend a hand to smoothe matters. That is the reward of wickedness," said Jack, with a laugh; "as for Frank, he's 8 perpetual curate, and may marry perhaps fifty years hence; that's the way you good people treat a man who never did anything to be ashamed of in his life; and you expect me to give up my evil courses after such a lesson? I trust I am not such a fool," said the relapsed prodigal. He sat looking at them all in his easy way, enjoying the confusion, the indig nation, and wrath with which his address was received. "The man who gets his own way is the man who takes it," he concluded, with his usual composure, pouring out Miss Leonora's glass of claret as he spoke.

Nobody had ever before seen the strong-minded woman in so much agitation. "Frank knows what my feelings are," she said, abruptly. "I have a great respect for himself, but I have no confidence in his principles. I-I have explained my ideas about Church patronage

But here the Squire broke in. "I always said, sir," said the old man, with an unsteady voice, “that if Í ever lived to see a thing or two amended that was undoubtedly objectionable, your brother Jack's advice would be invaluable to the family as a-as a man of the world. I have nothing to say against clergymen, sir," continued the Squire, without it being apparent whom he was addressing, "but I have always expressed my conviction of-of the value of your brother Jack's advice as-as a man of the world."

This speech hid a wonderful effect upon the assembled family, but most of all upon the son thus commended, who lost all his ease and composure as his father spoke, and turned his head stiffly to one side, as if afraid to meet the Squire's

eyes, which indeed were not seeking his, but were fixed upon the table, as was natural, considering the state of emotion in which Mr. Wentworth was. As for Jack, when he had steadied himself a little, he got up from his seat, and tried to laugh, though the effort was far from being a successful one.

"Even my father applauds me, you see, because I am a scamp and don't deserve it," he said, with a voice which was partially choked. "Good-bye, sir; I am going away." The Squire rose too, with the hazy bewildered look of which his other children were afraid. "Goodbye, sir," said the old man, and then made a pause before he held out his hand. "You'll not forget what I've said, Jack," he added, with a little haste. "It's true enough, though I haven't that confidence in you that-that I might have had. I am getting old, and I have had two attacks, sir," said Mr. Wentworth, with dignity; "and anyhow, I can't live for ever. Your brothers can make their own way in the world, but I haven't saved all that I could have wished. When I am gone, Jack, be just to the girls and the little children," said the Squire; and with that took his son's hand and grasped it hard, and looked his heir full in the face.

Jack Wentworth was not prepared for any such appeal; he was still less prepared to discover the unexpected and inevitable sequence with which one good sentiment leads to another. He quite faltered and broke down in this unlooked for emergency. "Father," he said, unawares, for the first time for ten years, "if you wish it, I will join you in breaking the entail."

"No such thing, sir," said the Squire, who, so far from being pleased, was irritated and disturbed by the proposal. "I ask you to do your duty, sir, and not to shirk it," the head of the house said, with natural vehemence, as he stood with that circle of Wentworths round him, giving forth his code of honour to his unworthy heir.

While his father was speaking, Jack recovered a little from his momentary attendrissement. "Goodbye, sir-I hope you'll live a hundred years," he said, wringing his father's hand," "if you don't last out half-a-dozen of me, as you ought to do. But I'd rather not anticipate such a change. In that case," the prodigal went on with a certain huskiness in his voice, "I daresay I should not turn out so great a rascal as-as I ought to do. Today and yesterday it has even occurred to me by moments that I was your son, sir," said Jack Wentworth; and then he made an abrupt stop and dropped the Squire's hand, and came to himself in a surprising way. When he turned towards the rest of the family he was in perfect possession of his usual courtesy and good spirits. He nodded to them all around-with superb good-humour. "Good-bye, all of you; I wish you better luck, Frank, and not so much virtue. Perhaps you will have a better chance now the lost sheep has gone back to the wilderness. Good-bye to you all. I don't think I've any other last words to say." He lighted his cigar with his ordinary composure in the hall, and whistled one of his favourite airs as he went through the garden. "Oddly enough, however, our friend Wodehouse can beat me in that," he said, with a smile, to Frank, who had followed him out, "perhaps in other things too, who knows? "Good-bye, and good-luck, old fellow." And thus the heir of the Wentworths disappeared into the darkness which swallowed him up, and was seen no more.

But naturally there was a good deal of commotion in the house. Miss Leonora, who never had known what it was to have nerves in the entire course of her existence, retired to her own room with a headache, to the entire consternation of the family. She had been a strongminded woman all her life, and managed everybody's affairs without being distracted and hampered

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