O WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



applied for leave ; succeeded, and made immediate 

 preparations for a return to Europe. My brother 

 officers congratulated me on my good fortune in so 

 speedily revisiting my native country ; but to me it 

 was a subject of regret. I was leaving pleasant quarters, 

 cheerful society, and comparative independence, to 

 become a slave to the caprice and ill-humour of a morose 

 and splenetic invalid. 



It was late in December when I landed at Portsmouth. 

 The voyage had been remarkably quick, and without 

 delay I started for my uncle's residence, and in the 

 gloom of a wet wintry evening re-entered the gates of 

 Lalworth Park. I looked down the long vista of splendid 

 elms, but in the twilight the house was not visible ; not 

 a candle glanced from a window, and no indication of 

 its being inhabited appeared about this melancholy 

 mansion. The postboy stopped — I alighted, ran up 

 the steps and rang gently — no one answered — I rang 

 again — louder yet — and a step came hastily over the 

 oaken floor. The old porter at last approached, 

 cautiously affixed the chain, opened a few inches of the 

 door, and raised his candle suspiciously to examine the 

 late visitor. Instantly recollecting me, he uttered a 

 suppressive exclamation of astonishment, removed the 

 fastenings, and muttered, ** Thank God, it is himself ! " 

 and, as he admitted me, whispered that my uncle was 

 not expected to survive till midnight. 



In silence I was conducted to a back drawing-room, 

 where, on a large, old-fashioned sofa, the dying man was 

 laid. The porter advanced before, and in a low voice 

 notified my arrival. The news appeared to gratify 

 the invalid ; he turned his dim eyes to the spot where 

 I stood waiting for permission to advance. *' Are you 



