She returned to her mother, who had sufficiently recovered to come downstairs. The guests had gone into the grounds with the exception of Mr Hastings and General Sampson. The general came hurrying into the drawing-room from the hall, exclaiming--

"A post-chaise is driving up the avenue," and taking Mr Hastings by the arm, he added, "I do not know whether you or Miss Castleton should be the first to greet the occupant; I must leave you to decide."

"Let my future daughter have that happiness," answered Mr Hastings, by a violent effort calming his evident agitation.

He imprinted a kiss as he spoke on the young lady's brow.

"Go and bring my son to me when you have exchanged greetings. Do not detain him long."

Julia hastened to the ante-room, scarcely daring to hope that the general was not mistaken. From the window she saw the carriage approaching. She had not long to wait. Captain Headland sprang from it, followed by another person whom her eyes, from the mist which stole over them, failed to recognise. She heard his step in the hall. In another minute he was supporting her and listening to the account she had to give. She led him into the drawing-room, where Mr Hastings was seated alone.

"I require no one to tell me you are my son," he said, embracing them both.

They spoke for some time. Julia would have retired to leave the father and his son alone, but the former detained her.

"For your sakes alone should I desire to resume my name, and take the t.i.tle which is lawfully mine," he continued. "I am your father's elder brother, my dear Julia, but I know that when you become my son Ra.n.a.ld's wife, you will endeavour to console him and your brother Harry for the loss of an empty t.i.tle of which I may be compelled to deprive him. But I am happily able to leave him in possession of a fortune equal to that which he at present enjoys."

"Believing that you did not desire to hold the baronetcy, I would gladly have resigned my future right to it in favour of Harry," said Headland.

"As, however, you gave me leave to consult any friend in whom I had confidence, I at once went to my old captain, Admiral Fancourt, who, of all people, as my uncle's brother-in-law, was the most capable of giving me advice. I placed the whole matter before him, and he a.s.sures me that should my uncle desire a baronetcy, Government will readily grant him one for his political services, so that he will consequently not be deprived of the rank he prizes. Having known me from my early days, and being convinced of the truth of the account I gave him, he accompanied me here that he might satisfy my uncle's mind, and a.s.sist in arranging matters."

As Headland, or rather Captain Castleton, ceased speaking, the door opened, and Admiral Fancourt entered the room. He at once recognised Sir Ra.n.a.ld Castleton, as Mr Hastings was henceforth to be called, and expressed his satisfaction at his return, a.s.suring him that he would have no difficulty in establishing his claims.

Lady Castleton shortly afterwards joined the party, and having been introduced to her brother-in-law, warmly welcomed her nephew.

Headland received a still more enthusiastic welcome from the old general, who quickly made his appearance.

"And here comes Harry and another gentleman galloping along the avenue as if the fate of the kingdom depended on their speed," he exclaimed.

Julia and the captain went out to meet them, and in another minute returned accompanied by Harry and the lawyer. Harry could scarcely speak. Julia knew by the way he embraced her and his mother, that his heart was bounding with joy.

"She can no longer be looked upon as unworthy of marrying a Castleton, for she is a Castleton herself, though all my May desires is to bear my name," he exclaimed at length; "but Mr Shallard will explain the discovery we have made more clearly than I can. Our good cousins promise to bring her here as soon as a carriage can be obtained."

Sir Ra.n.a.ld, as may be supposed, listened to this announcement with the deepest interest, as he did to the account given by the lawyer.

Mr Shallard, after briefly describing the discovery of the chest which had been so long hid by Martin Goul in the old mill, then went on to state that, having examined the doc.u.ments in it, he had no doubt whatever that the little girl who had been rescued from the wreck on board which the chest had been found, was the child of the long lost Ra.n.a.ld Castleton. This was corroborated by the locket with the initials of M.C. which she had on, and with the dress which had been carefully preserved by Dame Halliburt, while several of the articles in the chest had the Castleton arms and crest.

The eyes of those who knew Sir Ra.n.a.ld were turned towards him.

"Through the mercy of heaven my two children have been restored to me on the same day," he exclaimed. "I had embarked for England after her mother's death, with my little daughter and her native nurse. While we were still in ignorance that the war had broken out, we were captured by a French privateer. A heavy gale was blowing at the time, and I, with other pa.s.sengers, had just been removed, when all further communication between the ships was prevented by the fury of the wind and sea. I was almost driven to despair when I found that the ships had separated during the night. It was the opinion of our captors that only a few men having been put on board, the crew had risen and retaken the vessel.

They searched in vain for her. It was believed, with savage satisfaction by the French, that a wreck we fell in with two days afterwards, which went down before she could be boarded, was her. I had no reason to doubt that they were wrong in their suspicions, and mourned my child as lost to me for ever."

All listened with breathless interest to what Sir Ra.n.a.ld Castleton was saying. Harry's satisfaction can better be imagined than described.

"I am very sure that you are Sir Ra.n.a.ld Castleton; those who doubt it have only to examine your picture in the study. Though I recognise you, I doubt not so will the old steward, Mr Grooc.o.c.k, and many others who knew you in your youth," said Mr Shallard, as Sir Ra.n.a.ld warmly greeted him as an old friend.

Harry, after a satisfactory interview with his father, could no longer restrain his eagerness. He set off again for Downside. He had not to go far, however, before he met the carriage. Returning with it, he had the happiness of handing out his beloved Maiden May, and introducing her to her father and brother.

Two weddings shortly afterwards took place by special licence at Texford Hall, Sir Ra.n.a.ld and Sir Ralph giving their daughters away.

A fete was held in honour of the occasion in the park, to which the Miss Pembertons came, where Adam and Dame Halliburt, with their two sons, for Sam had just returned from sea, were among the most honoured guests.

"I knew our Maiden May was a real young lady, though little did I think she would one day be Lady Castleton," said Adam.

Sir Ra.n.a.ld, who the dame had at once recognised, insisted on settling an annuity on old Adam and his wife.

Honest Jack Headland, the only one now of the name, not unwilling to remain on sh.o.r.e, was appointed to a post at Morbury, suited to his taste, though the comfortable income settled on him by Sir Ra.n.a.ld Castleton, might have enabled him to enjoy a life of ease and idleness to the end of his days.

Though the young officers, while the war continued, again went afloat, they did not object to being employed on home service, and Harry, who had purchased Downside on the death of his cousins, spent a portion of every summer at the place which was so endeared to him and his beloved and still blooming May.

THE END.