THE VICARAGE. 313 



fought and won chiefly by the great exertions and 

 bravery of the division to which his regiment was 

 attached. He was known to have been wounded, 

 and when the returns were sent in, he was reported 

 as missing. This was notified in the Gazette ac- 

 cordingly. 



Let us fancy Lucy anxiously watching for the 

 arrival of the post. They are seated at the break- 

 fast-table. Her head is turned every instant to 

 see if the postman is coming. He at last stops at 

 the little wicket-gate at the bottom of the lawn. 

 Lucy runs to meet him, but returns slowly with 

 the Vicar's St. James's Chronicle. "No letter, 

 papa, again to-day," said Lucy with a sigh, as she 

 gave her father the paper. All eyes were turned 

 upon him as he opened it. There was a fearful 

 apprehension that the cause of Captain Neville's 

 long silence would now be explained. The Vicar 

 read. A perceptible change took place in his 

 countenance. A look of alarm, and then of great 

 distress could not be mistaken. " Oh ! tell me 

 at once what has happened/ exclamed Luey. 



" Be composed, my dear child," said the Vicar, 

 " and you shall know all. Remember that what- 

 ever happens is the disposition of a wise Provi- 

 dence/' 



" I do, I do," replied Lucy; "but tell me the 

 worst at once is Neville wounded ? " 



" There has been a battle," said the Vicar, " and 

 p 



