Impatiently he threw on the table, one after another, the baubles once hoarded perchance with the tenderest respect, till at length his eyes sparkled, and with a nervous gripe he seized upon an old ring which was inscribed with letters, and circled a heart containing hair.

The inscription was simply, "W.

B.to Julia." Strange and dark was the expression that settled on Brandon's face as he regarded this seemingly worthless trinket.

After a moment's gaze, he uttered an inarticulate exclamation, and thrusting it into his pocket, renewed his search.

He found one or two other trifles of a similar nature; one was an ill-done miniature set in silver, and bearing at the back sundry half-effaced letters, which Brandon construed at once (though no other eye could) into "Sir John Brandon, 1635, AEtat.