86 TROLLING IN STAFFORDSHIRE. 



was possessed with the idea that her lover was lost 

 to her for ever. She looked at her grandfather, 

 and then at the letter he held in his hand. Her face 

 became paler than ever. The old man trembled 

 with agitation. * My dear, dear Mary," 1 said he, 

 taking her hand, and looking affectionately in her 

 face, * George is come back, and will soon be here/ 

 Mary heard no more ; the shock was too great for 

 her, and she fell senseless to the ground. It was 

 sometime before she came to herself, or recovered 

 any consciousness of what had been told her. New- 

 ton, with that kindness of heart for which he is 

 remarkable, beckoned to the old man not to speak, 

 and kneeling by the side of Mary, he by degrees 

 made her understand the good tidings which her 

 grandfather had too abruptly disclosed. Her look 

 of woe and despair was succeeded by a flood of tears, 

 and the relief which these afforded her, gave the first 

 assurance that the faculties of her mind were re- 

 stored. With this conviction, we soon afterwards 

 quitted the cottage, but not without receiving the 

 grateful thanks of the good old keeper, and Newton 

 promising to use his influence with his aunts in 

 favour of Mary and her lover. 



As we walked back to the hall, my friend, whose 

 heart was full of the subject, arranged the plan 

 of operation with his aunts. The attack was to 

 take place soon after dinner, and Newton, was very 

 sanguine in his hopes of overcoming all difficulties. 



