312 THE VICARAGE. 



that Captain Neville had been probably the means 

 of preserving the lives of their beloved pastor and 

 his family, and he was welcomed accordingly by 

 the grateful peasants. Lucy heard their praises 

 of him with delight, while she sorrowed at the 

 thought that in a short time she should see him 

 no more. 



On his return to Coombe-Neville, he informed 

 the Vicar in a letter of his prospects in life, of the 

 necessity of his remaining with his regiment till 

 the termination of the war, of his attachment to 

 Lucy, and, should he be able to procure her con- 

 sent, asking the Vicar to allow him to make her an 

 offer of his hand as soon as he returned to Eng- 

 land. It need not be told how much pleasure 

 this letter gave at the vicarage, or how happy 

 Lucy was, and how soon her walks with Captain 

 Neville were resumed. The hour of his depar- 

 ture at length came. Lucy was miserable, and 

 expressed her fears, her love, her hopes and 

 thus they separated. Lucy heard from Captain 

 Neville before he embarked, and again after his 

 arrival in Spain. Coombe-Neville was visited and 

 revisited with the tidings. Mrs. Neville wept, 

 and rejoiced, and kissed Lucy, delighted with the 

 choice of her nephew, and anticipating their future 

 happiness. 



In Neville's last letter he had said nothing of 

 an approaching battle. That battle, however, was 



