S may be supposed the two friends were early astir the next morning, especially as they were due at Bainbridge Holme for breakfast. They resumed the discussion of the previous night, Charlie suggesting that the owners of the three dwellings in Hawburn, Greychurch, and Hillside respectively should be consulted with the view of obtaining information. He also offered to ask his father about the two sisters, thinking it possible that Mr. Rowlandson might have heard something about them at the time, but Tom preferred that the subject should not be mentioned, at all events for the present. One source of consolation had resulted from the visit to the Rowlandsons; Charlie evidently looked at worth, and had the supremest contempt for extraction. After the lapse of a few days Tom returned to Hamfield and to the beneficial influence of Ada Lindsay. He tried advertisements; he offered a reward of £100; he continued his personal enquiries, but all in vain. When about a year had expired he gave up the search as hopeless, and then began seriously to consider the question of matrimony. About this time he sent to Charlie Rowlandson a letter, of which the following is a copy : "I have abandoned the search, and am trying hard to persuade myself that I am as good as the descendants of Edward the Third, King of England and Wool Merchant, particularly when I remember that I go back to Adam. The worry has somewhat affected my health, and I have decided upon a real change. Hence 'I take the liberty of writing these few lines to you, hoping you are well as it leaves me at present' (I quote under correction), and that you will join me in a, if not, the Grand Tour. Now listen to the voice of the charmer as followeth : 66 Imprimis: We both want matter for romances which shall rank as classics, and be handed down to prosperity.' Ergo, like Haroun al Raschid, we will go about in disguise, or into lands where we shall be un known, which will answer the same purpose, and gather the necessary materials. "Item: I require a regular dose of your company, and you will naturally wish to reciprocate. "Item: We seek health; the mens sana in-you know the rest. "Item: We are both burning to stand in the temple of Jupiter Stator, or on the site thereof, and declaim :— 66 6 Cogitate, quantis laboribus fundatum imperium, quanta virtute stabilitam libertatem, quanta deorum benignitate auctas exaggeratasque fortunas una nox quam pæne delerit.' "So pack up your traps and hie to this more hyperborean region at your earliest, in order that you may start under the protection of 66 Yours, "TOM." In less than a fortnight Charlie arrived at Greenhill Crescent, and on the following day the two young men started for the Continent. Their purpose was to travel at their ease, staying in one place just as long as they found a relish for it, and moving onwards by easy stages. Thus it was some months before they arrived at the Eternal City. "Being here," said Tom, on the day following that of their arrival, "must we necessarily do as Rome does?" "Bah! a horrid maxim; a contemptible effort to localise moral rectitude which ought to be universal-ubiquitous. I cannot bring to mind a more execrable saying except it be Honesty is the best Policy;' but as that has been discussed by many men smaller than myself," he continued, with a smile, "I shall mercifully spare you." "It is just there where you surpass me, Charlie. I should merely have been able to say, 'I don't like that maxim; I never cared about this proverb.' But I say, old fellow, are we really at Rome that we have longed |