to meet him. The poor fellow sobbed out his joy, insomuch that De Brooke was nearly himself melted to tears.
After many inquiries after "dear Misses and de young ladies. Miss Ory and Rosa," he conducted the General into a small but neatly furnished apartment, where, after seating him in a large elbow-chair, being in the presence of his former master, he stood respectfully before him, and could scarcely be prevailed upon to sit down.
"Your letter indicates," said the General, "that you have something of moment to communicate; but before talking of business, let me express my satisfaction, Robert, upon this our now fortunate meeting, and relieve my heart of what is at present nearest to it. To be brief, I live in Wales; I have a small establishment there, and am just at this moment in want of a person like yourself, to conduct my farm, and take the management of the arable land. 'Tis you, my good Robert, are my man; come then, my long lost friend, whom I have often regretted ever to have parted with; come and end your days amongst us, and confer upon me one of the greatest enjoyments I am at this time capable of knowing."
Robert smiled; and it was a smile of such simple candour that the General thought the point had met with his entire acquiescence. "My dear Robert," added he, "you are grown a spruce fellow; your coat is as good as mine, and your linen nearly as fine—with that brooch too,—I suspect you are courting!"
