A CONFESSION 861

treated, and say how much I feel the kindly interest that
his majesty has been pleased to take in me. If there had
been any chance of the war coming to an end shortly, I
should have remained to see it out; but now that the Polish
business may be considered finished it will be continued
with Russia, and may go on for years, for the czar is just as
obstinate and determined as Charles himself.”

Accordingly the next morning Charlie sent in the formal
resignation of his commission to the war minister at Stock-
holm, and Harry left by ship for Revel. Sir Marmaduke
placed his business affairs in the hands of a Scotch merchant
at Gottenburg, with instructions to call in the money he
had lent on mortgage, and two days later took passage with
Charlie for Hull, whence they posted across the country to
Lancaster, and then drove to Lynnwood.

As soon as the news spread that Sir Marmaduke had
returned the church bells rang a joyous peal, bonfires were
lighted, the tenants flocked in to greet him, and the gentry
for miles round rode over to welcome and congratulate
him,

The next morning he and Charlie rode over to Rockley.

“Oh, Marmaduke,” cried Celia, “I am happy indeed to
know that you are back again. I have never known a day’s
happiness since you went.”

“Well, don’t let us think any more about it, Celia,” Sir
Marmaduke said, as he kissed her tenderly. ‘Let us look
on it all as an ugly dream. It has not been without its
advantages, as far as we are concerned. It has taken me
out of myself and broadened my view of things. I have not
had at all an unpleasant time of it in Sweden, and shall
enjoy my home all the more now that I have been away
from it for a while. As to Charlie, it has made a man of
him. He has gained a great deal of credit, and had oppor-
tunities of showing that he is made of good stuff; and now
he enters upon life with every advantage, and has a start,