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Meta Heuristic Algorithms for Advanced Distributed
Systems 1st Edition Rohit Anand Digital Instant
Download
Author(s): Rohit Anand, Abhinav Juneja, Digvijay Pandey, Sapna Juneja,
Nidhi Sindhwani
ISBN(s): 9781394188062, 1394188064
Edition: 1
File Details: PDF, 7.16 MB
Year: 2024
Language: english
本书版权归John Wiley & Sons Inc.所有
Meta-Heuristic Algorithms for
Advanced Distributed Systems
Meta‐Heuristic Algorithms for Advanced
Distributed Systems

Edited by

Rohit Anand
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
G.B. Pant DSEU Okhla-1 Campus
(formerly G.B.Pant Engineering College)
Government of NCT of Delhi
New Delhi, India

Abhinav Juneja
KIET Group of Institutions
Ghaziabad, India

Digvijay Pandey
Department of Technical Education,
Government of Uttar Pradesh,
Kanpur, India

Sapna Juneja
Department of CSE (AI)
KIET Group of Institutions
Ghaziabad, India

Nidhi Sindhwani
Amity Institute of Information Technology
Amity University
Noida, India
Copyright © 2024 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

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 v

Contents

About the Book xix

About the Editors xxi
List of Contributors xxiii
Preface xxxiii

1 The Future of Business Management with the Power of Distributed

Systems and Computing 1
Venkateswararao Podile, Nitin Kulshrestha, Sushmita Goswami, Lavanya
Durga, B. Rachanasree, T. Pavan Reddy, and P. Shreya Sarojini
1.1 ­Introduction 1
1.1.1 Distributed Systems in Business Management 2
1.2 ­Understanding Distributed Systems and Computing 2
1.2.1 Definition of Distributed Systems and Computing 5
1.2.2 Advantages for Business Management 5
1.2.3 Characteristics of Distributed Systems and Computing for Business
Management 6
1.3 ­Applications of Distributed Systems and Computing in Business
Management 6
1.3.1 Inventory Management and Supply Chain Optimization 7
1.3.2 Customer Relationship Management 8
1.3.3 Financial Management and Accounting 9
1.3.4 Data Analytics and Decision-Making 10
1.3.5 Collaboration and Communication Within and Across
Organizations 10
1.4 ­Limitations of Distributed Systems in Business Management 11
1.4.1 Security and Privacy Concerns 12
1.4.2 Technical Issues and Maintenance 13
1.4.3 Organizational and Cultural Challenges 14
1.4.4 Legal and Regulatory Compliance 14
vi Contents

1.5 ­Future Developments and Opportunities 15

1.5.1 Potential Future Developments and their Implications for Business
Management 16
1.5.2 Opportunities for Research and Innovation in the Field 16
1.6 ­Conclusion 17
­References 18

2 Applications of Optimized Distributed Systems in Healthcare 21

Ayush Thakur, Suruchi Verma, Nidhi Sindhwani, and Rashmi Vashisth
2.1 ­Introduction 21
2.2 ­Literature Survey 23
2.2.1 Need for Optimization of Distributed Systems 24
2.2.2 Performance Optimization of Distributed Systems 25
2.2.3 Characteristics of Optimized Distributed Systems in Healthcare 27
2.2.4 Applications of Optimized Distributed Systems in Healthcare 28
2.2.5 Technologies Being Used in Healthcare 31
2.2.5.1 Spark 31
2.2.5.2 Hadoop 31
2.3 ­Real Cases 32
2.4 ­Conclusion 34
­References 35

3 The Impact of Distributed Computing on Data Analytics and Business

Insights 39
Haider Mehraj, Vinay K. Nassa, A.S.K. Reddy, K.V.D. Sagar, Dilip K. Sharma,
Shyamasundar Tripathy, and Franklin J. Selvaraj
3.1 ­Introduction 39
3.1.1 Role of Distributed Computing in Data Analytics 40
3.1.2 Importance of Business Insights in Decision-Making 40
3.1.3 Overview of Distributed Computing and Data Analytics 41
3.2 ­Distributed Computing and Data Analytics 41
3.2.1 Distributed Computing 42
3.2.2 Overview of Data Analytics 43
3.2.3 Distributed Computing in Data Analytics 44
3.3 ­Business Insights and Decision-Making 45
3.3.1 Definition of Business Insights 46
3.3.2 Importance of Business Insights in Decision-Making 46
3.3.3 Applications of Business Insights and their Impact 47
3.4 ­Challenges and Limitations 47
 Contents vii

3.5 ­ he Impact of Distributed Computing on Data Analytics 48

T
3.5.1 Distributed Computing in Improvising Data Analytics 49
3.6 ­Conclusion 50
­References 50

4 Machine Learning and Its Application in Educational Area 53

Abhinav Tripathi, Yashasvi Singh, Arti Sharma, Ajay Kumar Shrivastava, and
Saurabh Sharma
4.1 ­Introduction 53
4.2 ­Previous Work 54
4.3 ­Technique 54
4.3.1 Machine Learning 54
4.3.2 Supervised Learning 55
4.3.3 Unsupervised Learning 55
4.4 ­Analysis of Data 56
4.5 ­Educational Data Mining 56
4.6 ­Hadoop Approach 57
4.7 ­Artificial Neural Network (ANN) 58
4.8 ­Decision Tree 59
4.9 ­Results/Discussion 59
4.9.1 Personalized Learning Through Adaptive Learning 59
4.10 ­Increasing Efficiency Using Learning Analytics 60
4.11 ­Predictive Analysis for Better Assessment Evaluation 61
4.12 ­Future Scope 61
4.13 ­Conclusion 61
­References 62

5 Approaches and Methodologies for Distributed Systems: Threats,

Challenges, and Future Directions 67
Bhawna and Veena Parihar
5.1 ­Introduction 67
5.2 ­Distributed Systems 68
5.3 ­Literature Review 69
5.4 ­Threats to Distributed Systems Security 70
5.4.1 Hacking 70
5.4.2 Malware 70
5.4.3 Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks 71
5.4.4 Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks 71
5.4.5 Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) 71
viii Contents

5.4.6 Insider Threats 71

5.4.7 Phishing 71
5.4.8 Ransomware 71
5.5 ­Security Standards and Protocols 72
5.5.1 ISO/IEC 27001 72
5.5.2 NIST SP 800-53 72
5.5.3 SOC 2 72
5.5.4 PCI DSS 72
5.5.5 IEC 62443 73
5.5.6 OWASP 73
5.5.7 Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies
(COBIT) 73
5.6 ­Network Security 73
5.7 ­Access Control 74
5.7.1 Role-based Access Control (RBAC) 74
5.7.2 Discretionary Access Control (DAC) 74
5.7.3 Mandatory Access Control (MAC) 75
5.8 ­Authentication and Authorization 76
5.9 ­Privacy Concerns 78
5.10 ­Case Studies 79
5.10.1 Equifax Data Breach 79
5.10.2 Target Data Breach 79
5.10.3 WannaCry Ransomware Attack 79
5.11 ­Conclusion 80
5.12 ­Future Scope 81
­References 81

6 Efficient-driven Approaches Related to Meta-Heuristic Algorithms

using Machine Learning Techniques 85
Ashima Arya, Swasti Singhal, and Rashika Bangroo
6.1 ­Introduction 85
6.2 ­Stochastic Optimization 86
6.2.1 Genetic Algorithm 87
6.2.2 Particle Swarm Optimization 88
6.3 ­Heuristic Search 89
6.3.1 Heuristic Search Techniques 89
6.4 ­Meta-Heuristic 90
6.4.1 Structures of Meta-Heuristic 91
6.5 ­Machine Learning 94
6.5.1 Applications of Meta-Heuristic 98
­References 99
 Contents ix

7 Security and Privacy Issues in Distributed Healthcare Systems – A

Survey 103
Manish Bhardwaj, Samad Noeiaghdam, and Yu-Chen Hu
7.1 ­Introduction 103
7.1.1 Traditional Systems 105
7.1.2 Distributed Systems 106
7.2 ­Previous Study 106
7.2.1 Background and Definitions 108
7.3 ­Security and Privacy Needs 109
7.4 ­Security and Privacy Goals 111
7.5 ­Type of Attacks in Distributed Systems 114
7.5.1 Malicious Hardware 115
7.5.2 Malicious Programs 115
7.6 ­Recommendations and Future Approaches 116
7.7 ­Conclusion 117
­References 118

8 Implementation and Analysis of the Proposed Model

in a Distributed e-Healthcare System 123
Manish Bhardwaj, Sanjiv Sharma, and Amit K. Gupta
8.1 ­Introduction 123
8.2 ­Outmoded Systems 125
8.3 ­Distributed Systems 126
8.3.1 Peer-to-Peer Architecture 128
8.4 ­Previous Work 129
8.5 ­Service-Oriented Architecture of e-Healthcare 131
8.6 ­Implementation of the Proposed Model 133
8.6.1 Speech Software 134
8.7 ­Evaluation of the Proposed Model Performance 134
8.8 ­Conclusion and Future Work 135
­References 136

9 Leveraging Distributed Systems for Improved Educational

Planning and Resource Allocation 141
S. Durga, Priti Gupta, Latika Kharb, P.S. Ranjit, Venkata Harshavardhan
Reddy Dornadula, Kali Charan Modak, and Geetha Manoharan
9.1 ­Introduction 141
9.1.1 Overview of the Current State of Educational Planning and Resource
Allocation 142
9.1.2 The Potential Benefits of Leveraging Distributed Systems in
Education 143
x Contents

9.2 ­Theoretical Framework 144

9.2.1 Overview of Distributed Systems and their Key Concepts 145
9.2.2 Theoretical Basis for the Use of Distributed Systems in Education 146
9.2.3 Comparison of Different Distributed Systems Architectures 147
9.3 ­Distribution System in Education 148
9.4 ­Technical Aspects of Distributed Systems in Education 149
9.4.1 Infrastructure Requirements for Implementing Distributed Systems in
Education 150
9.4.2 Security and Privacy Concerns in Distributed Systems for
Education 151
9.4.3 Data Management and Analysis in Distributed Systems for
Education 152
9.5 ­Challenges and Limitations 153
9.5.1 Merits of Distributed Systems for Educational Planning and Resource
Allocation 154
9.5.2 Demerits of Distributed Systems for Educational Planning and
Resource Allocation 155
9.6 ­Discussion 155
9.7 ­Conclusion 156
­References 157

10 Advances in Education Policy Through the Integration of Distributed

Computing Approaches 161
W. Vinu, Luigi P.L. Cavaliere, K. Suresh Kumar, Y. Venkata Ramana, Kunjan
Shah, Kapil Joshi, and Nadanakumar Vinayagam
10.1 ­Introduction 161
10.1.1 Technology in Education Policy 162
10.1.2 Advances in Education Policy through Distributed Computing 163
10.2 ­Distributed Computing Approaches 164
10.2.1 Benefits of Education Policy 165
10.2.2 Types of Distributed Computing Approaches 166
10.3 ­Advances in Education Policy Through Distributed Computing
Approaches 167
10.3.1 Significant Impact on Education Policy 168
10.3.2 Improved Access 168
10.3.3 Personalized Learning 169
10.3.4 Data-Driven Decision-Making 170
10.4 ­Challenges: Privacy Concerns 171
10.4.1 Technical Requirements 172
10.4.2 Impact of Emerging Technologies and Use of Distributed
Computing 173
 Contents xi

10.5 ­ onclusion 174

C
­References 174

11 Revolutionizing Data Management and Security with the Power of

Blockchain and Distributed System 177
Radha R. Chandan, Fred Torres-Cruz, Ernesto N.T. Figueroa, Charles
I. Mendoza-Mollocondo, Dharini R. Sisodia, Tanweer Alam, and Mohit Tiwari
11.1 ­Introduction 177
11.1.1 Importance of Data Management and Security 178
11.1.2 Current State of Data Management and Security 178
11.2 ­Blockchain Technology 179
11.2.1 Benefits of Using Blockchain for Data Management and Security 180
11.2.2 Limitations of Using Blockchain for Data Management and
Security 181
11.3 ­Distributed System 182
11.3.1 Benefits of Using Distributed Systems for Data Management and
Security 182
11.3.2 Limitations of Using Distributed Systems for Data Management and
Security 183
11.4 ­Revolutionizing Data Management and Security with Blockchain
and Distributed Systems 184
11.4.1 Blockchain and Distributed Systems Can Revolutionize Data
Management and Security 184
11.4.2 Real-World Examples of Blockchain and Distributed Systems in Data
Management and Security 185
11.5 ­Challenges of Using Blockchain and Distributed Systems 186
11.5.1 Limitations of Using Blockchain and Distributed Systems 187
11.6 ­Discussion 187
11.7 ­Conclusion 188
­References 188

12 Enhancing Business Development, Ethics, and Governance with the

Adoption of Distributed Systems 193
Aarti Dawra, K.K. Ramachandran, Debasis Mohanty, Jitendra Gowrabhathini,
Brijesh Goswami, Dhyana S. Ross, and S. Mahabub Basha
12.1 ­Introduction 193
12.1.1 Distributed Systems for Business Development 194
12.2 ­Applications of Distributed Systems in Business Development 195
12.2.1 Characteristics of Distributed Systems 196
12.2.2 Benefits of Distributed Systems in Business Development 197
12.2.3 Applications in Business Development 198
xii Contents

12.3 ­ he Importance of Ethics in Distributed Systems 198

T
12.3.1 Ethics in Distributed Systems 199
12.3.2 Ethics to Business Development and Governance 200
12.3.3 Distributed Systems in Promoting Ethical Practices 201
12.4 ­Governance in Distributed Systems 201
12.4.1 Importance of Governance in Distributed Systems 203
12.4.2 The Benefits of Implementing Governance Mechanisms in Distributed
Systems 203
12.4.3 Examples of Governance Mechanisms in Distributed Systems 204
12.4.4 Limitations in Business and Governance 205
12.5 ­Conclusion 206
­References 206

13 Leveraging Distribution Systems for Advanced Fraud Detection and

Prevention in Finance 211
Venkateswararao Podile, Satish M. Dhoke, Shouvik K. Guha, Frakruddin
A. Ahmed, T.V.N.J.L. Haritha, V. Abhinav, and M. Anirudh
13.1 ­Introduction 211
13.1.1 Background on Fraud in Finance 212
13.1.2 Importance of Fraud Detection and Prevention 212
13.1.3 Distributed Systems and Their Potential for Fraud Detection and
Prevention 212
13.2 ­Benefits of Distributed Systems 213
13.2.1 Definition of Distributed Systems 213
13.2.2 Advantages of Distributed Systems 214
13.2.3 Types of Distributed Systems 215
13.3 ­Prevention Techniques 215
13.3.1 Rule-Based Systems 217
13.3.2 Machine Learning-Based Systems 217
13.3.3 Hybrid Systems 219
13.3.4 Limitations of Traditional Techniques 220
13.4 ­Leveraging Distributed Systems for Fraud Detection and
Prevention 220
13.4.1 Advantages of Distributed Systems for Fraud Detection and
Prevention 221
13.4.2 Applicability of Distributed Systems in Rule-Based Systems 221
13.4.3 Applicability of Distributed Systems in Machine Learning-Based
Systems 222
13.4.4 Applicability of Distributed Systems in Hybrid Systems 222
13.4.5 Challenges in Implementing Distributed Systems for Fraud Detection
and Prevention 223
 Contents xiii

13.5 ­Future Directions 223

13.5.1 Current Trends in Fraud Detection and Prevention 224
13.5.2 Future Directions for Leveraging Distributed Systems 224
13.6 ­Conclusion 225
­References 225

14 Advances in E-commerce Through the Integration of Distributed

Computing Approaches 229
Venkateswararao Podile, K. Suresh Kumar, Luigi P.L. Cavaliere,
Sri R.R. Annapureddy, Katakam V. Siva Praneeth, Kanamarlapudi
P.S. Sabareesh, and Devati B. Sambasiva Rao
14.1 ­Introduction 229
14.1.1 E-commerce and Its Growth 230
14.2 ­Distributed Computing Approaches for E-commerce 231
14.2.1 Types of Distributed Computing Approaches 231
14.2.2 Comparative Analysis of Distributed Computing Approaches 232
14.3 ­Integration of Distributed Computing Approaches in E-commerce 233
14.3.1 Benefits of Integrating Distributed Computing Approaches in
E-commerce 234
14.3.2 Challenges in Integrating Distributed Computing Approaches in
E-commerce 235
14.4 ­Advancements in E-commerce Through the Integration of Distributed
Computing Approaches 236
14.4.1 Improved Scalability and Flexibility 236
14.4.2 Enhanced Performance and Efficiency 237
14.4.3 Enhanced Security and Privacy 238
14.4.4 Enhanced Customer Experience 239
14.4.5 Cost Savings and Reduced Operational Complexity 239
14.5 ­Future Trends in the Integration of Distributed Computing Approaches
in E-commerce 240
14.6 ­Conclusion 241
­References 242

15 The Impact of Distributed Computing on Online Shopping and

Consumer Experience 245
K. Suresh Kumar, Luigi P.L. Cavaliere, Mano A. Tripathi, T.S. Rajeswari,
S.S.C. Mary, G.H.A. Vethamanikam, and Nadanakumar Vinayagam
15.1 ­Introduction 245
15.1.1 The Growing Trend of Online Shopping and the Importance of
Consumer Experience 246
15.1.2 Distributed Computing in Online Shopping Applications 247
xiv Contents

15.2 ­ enefits of Distributed Computing for Online Shopping 248

B
15.2.1 Distributed Computing for Improvising Online Shopping
Experiences 249
15.2.2 Impact of Distributed Computing on Consumer Experience 250
15.3 ­Limitations of Distributed Computing in Online Shopping 251
15.3.1 Technical Challenges 251
15.3.2 Limitations of Distributed Computing in Improving All Aspects of
Consumer Experience 253
15.3.3 Potential Drawbacks of Relying Heavily on Distributed Computing in
Online Shopping 253
15.4 ­Impact of Distributed Computing on Online Shopping Trends 254
15.4.1 Distributed Computing in Improvising Consumer Expectations 255
15.5 ­Ethical Implications of Distributed Computing in Online
Shopping 256
15.6 ­Conclusion 257
­References 257

16 Wireless Sensor-based IoT System with Distributed Optimization for

Healthcare 261
Rohit Anand, Digvijay Pandey, Deena N. Gupta, M.K. Dharani,
Nidhi Sindhwani, and J.V.N. Ramesh
16.1 ­Introduction 261
16.1.1 Wireless Sensor 261
16.1.2 Achieve Seamless Sensor-to-Cloud Solutions for a Range of
Applications 261
16.1.3 Some Examples of Wireless Sensors 262
16.1.4 The Different Types of Wireless Network Topologies 264
16.1.5 Traditional Wireless Sensor Protocols 265
16.1.6 LPWAN Standards for Wireless Sensors 266
16.1.7 Wireless Sensor Technology Fits into the IoT 267
16.1.8 Healthcare Monitoring Devices 269
16.1.9 Security Matters for IoT in Healthcare 273
16.1.10 Role of WSN in Healthcare 273
16.1.11 Role of Distributed Optimization for Healthcare 274
16.2 ­Literature Review 274
16.3 ­Challenges Faced by Existing Research 278
16.4 ­Proposed Research Methodology 278
16.5 ­Simulation of Research 279
16.5.1 Comparative Analysis of Energy Efficiency 279
16.5.2 Comparative Analysis of Delay 279
16.5.3 Comparative Analysis of Call Drop 281
 Contents xv

16.5.4 Comparative Analysis of Throughput 282

16.6 ­Conclusion 283
16.7 ­Future Scope 283
­References 284

17 Optimizing Financial Transactions and Processes Through the Power of

Distributed Systems 289
K. Bhavana Raj, Kamakshi Mehta, Someshwar Siddi,
M.K. Sharma, Dilip K. Sharma, Sunil Adhav, and José L.A. Gonzáles
17.1 ­Introduction 289
17.1.1 Importance of Distributed Systems 290
17.2 ­Overview of Financial Transactions and Processes 290
17.2.1 Definition of Financial Transactions and Processes 291
17.2.2 Challenges Faced in Financial Transactions and Processes 291
17.3 Distributed Systems in Finance 292
17.3.1 Benefits 294
17.3.2 Types of Distributed Systems Used in Finance 295
17.4 Blockchain Technology and Finance 295
17.4.1 Applications of Blockchain Technology in Finance 296
17.4.2 Benefits of Blockchain Technology for Financial Transactions and
Processes 297
17.5 ­Smart Contracts 297
17.5.1 Role of Supply Chain in Financial Transactions and Processes 298
17.5.2 Applicability of Supply Chain in Finance 299
17.6 ­Conclusion 299
­References 300

18 Leveraging Distributed Systems for Improved Market Intelligence and

Customer Segmentation 305
Luigi P.L. Cavaliere, K. Suresh Kumar, Dilip K. Sharma, Himanshu Sharma,
Sujay M. Jayadeva, Makarand Upadhyaya, and Nadanakumar Vinayagam
18.1 ­Introduction 305
18.1.1 Overview of Distributed Systems 306
18.1.2 Market Intelligence and Customer Segmentation 307
18.1.3 Importance of Leveraging Desford to Improve Market Intelligence and
Customer Segmentation 308
18.2 Distributed Systems for Customer Segmentation 309
18.3 Distributed Systems for Market Intelligence 310
18.3.1 Distributed Systems for Improvisation in Market Intelligence 310
18.3.2 Advantages of Distribution System in Market Intelligence 311
18.3.3 Disadvantages of Distribution System in Market Intelligence 311
xvi Contents

18.4 Distributed Systems for Customer Segmentation 311

18.5 ­Challenges in Integrating Distribution System in Market
Intelligence 312
18.5.1 Future Directions for Research and Development in This Area 313
18.6 ­Conclusion 316
­References 317

19 The Future of Financial Crime Prevention and Cybersecurity with

Distributed Systems and Computing Approaches 321
Veer B.P. Singh, Pratibha Singh, Shouvik K. Guha, Asif I. Shah, Abdullah
Samdani, M.Z.M. Nomani, and Mohit Tiwari
19.1 ­Introduction 321
19.1.1 Background on Financial Crime Prevention and Cybersecurity 322
19.1.2 Overview of Distributed Systems and Computing Approaches 323
19.2 ­Distributed Systems and Computing Approaches for Financial Crime
Prevention and Cybersecurity 326
19.2.1 Blockchain Technology and Its Applications in Financial Crime
Prevention and Cybersecurity 327
19.2.2 Distributed Ledgers and Their Role in Preventing Financial
Crimes 328
19.2.3 Distributed Computing Approaches for Cybersecurity 329
19.3 ­Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Distributed Systems
and Computing Approaches 330
19.3.1 Regulatory and Compliance Issues 331
19.3.2 Interoperability and Standardization Challenges 332
19.3.3 Integration with Existing Systems and Infrastructure 333
19.3.4 Opportunities for Innovation and Efficiency 334
19.4 ­Benefits of Distributed Systems in Financial Crime Prevention 335
19.5 ­Limitations of Distributed Systems in Financial Crime Prevention 335
19.6 ­Conclusion 336
­References 337

20 Innovations in Distributed Computing for Enhanced Risk Management

in Finance 341
Venkateswararao Podile, Syed M. Faisal, Gangu N. Mandala, Shaik Altaf ,
Nayana Harshitha, Cheedella A.S. Lakshmi, and Chunduru R. Chandan
20.1 ­Introduction 341
20.1.1 Distributed Computing vs Traditional Risk Management 342
20.2 ­Theoretical Framework 343
20.2.1 Overview of Distributed Computing 344
20.2.2 Types of Distributed Computing Technologies for Finance Risk
Management 344
 Contents xvii

20.3 ­ omparison of Distributed Computing Approaches for Finance Risk

C
Management 345
20.4 ­Innovations in Distributed Computing for Enhanced Risk Management
in Finance 345
20.4.1 New Distributed Computing Techniques for Finance Risk
Management 347
20.4.2 Emerging Trends in Distributed Computing for Finance Risk
Management 347
20.5 ­Challenges and Limitations of Distributed Computing for Finance Risk
Management 348
20.5.1 Technical Challenges in Implementing Distributed Computing for
Finance Risk Management 349
20.5.2 Limitations of Distributed Computing for Finance Risk
Management 350
20.6 ­Future Directions 350
20.6.1 Selection of Distributed Computing Approach 351
20.6.2 Guidelines for Implementing Distributed Computing for Finance Risk
Management 352
20.7 ­Conclusion 353
­References 354

21 Leveraging Blockchain and Distributed Systems for Improved Supply

Chain Traceability and Transparency 359
Luigi P.L. Cavaliere, S. Silas Sargunam, Dilip K. Sharma,
Y. Venkata Ramana, K.K. Ramachandran, Umakant B. Gohatre, and
Nadanakumar Vinayagam
21.1 ­Introduction 359
21.1.1 Supply Chain Traceability and Transparency 360
21.1.2 Challenges in Achieving Traceability and Transparency in Traditional
Supply Chain Systems 361
21.1.3 Potential Benefits of Leveraging Blockchain and Distributed Systems in
Supply Chain 361
21.2 ­Overview of Blockchain and Distributed Systems 362
21.2.1 Fundamental Concepts of Blockchain Technology 363
21.2.2 Characteristics and Benefits of Distributed Systems 363
21.2.3 How Blockchain and Distributed Systems Can Enhance Supply Chain
Traceability and Transparency 365
21.3 ­Applications of Blockchain and Distributed Systems in Supply
Chain 365
21.3.1 Tracking and Tracing Goods and Raw Materials 365
21.3.2 Ensuring Product Authenticity and Preventing Counterfeit 366
21.3.3 Enhancing Visibility and Accountability in Supply Chain 366
xviii Contents

21.3.4 Enabling Secure and Efficient Data Sharing Among Supply Chain
Participants 367
21.4 ­Benefits and Limitations of Blockchain and Distributed Systems in
Supply Chain 368
21.4.1 Potential Advancements and Innovations in Blockchain and
Distributed Systems for Supply Chain 369
21.4.2 Implications for Supply Chain Stakeholders and Society 370
21.5 ­Conclusion 371
­References 371

22 Advances in Resource Management Through the Integration of

Distributed Computing Approaches 375
K. Jayalakshmamma Veena P. Vemuri, Elena Y. Zegarra,
Jitendra Gowrabhathini, Fred Torres-Cruz, Julio C.L. Huanca, and José
L.A. Gonzáles
2­ 2.1 Introduction 375
22.1.1 Definition of Resource Management 376
22.1.2 Overview of Distributed Computing Approaches 376
22.1.3 Significance 377
­22.2 Distributed Computing Approaches for Resource Management 377
22.2.1 Grid Computing 378
22.2.2 Applications in Resource Management 379
22.2.3 Cloud Computing 379
22.2.4 Edge Computing 380
­22.3 Integration of Distributed Computing Approaches for Resource
Management 381
22.3.1 Advantages Distributed Computing Approaches for Resource
Management 382
22.3.2 Challenges of Distributed Computing Approaches for Resource
Management 382
22.3.3 Techniques for Integrating Distributed Computing 383
2­ 2.4 Future Directions and Research Challenges 384
22.4.1 Emerging Trends 385
22.4.2 Limitations in Integration of Distributed Computing Approaches for
Resource Management 387
2­ 2.5 Discussion 388
­22.6 Conclusion 389
­References 390

Index 395
Discovering Diverse Content Through
Random Scribd Documents
she puts me out of all patience, but every thing she does is
right in Deborah's eyes. I have not spoken to my Sister
Deborah in more than twenty years!"

Mrs. Philippa made this announcement as if she thought it

something to be proud of. We looked steadfastly at the floor
and said not a word.

"Not in twenty years!" repeated Mrs. Philippa. "And I never

will if I live twenty years more. She did me such an injury
with my father as I shall never forgive if I live to be a
hundred."

I cannot describe the expression of rancor with which Mrs.

Philippa said these words. They made me shudder.

"But suppose you do not live to be a hundred, Aunt

Philippa," said Amabel, raising her clear eyes to her aunt.
"Suppose you should die to-night!"

"What do you mean by that, miss?" asked Mrs. Philippa. "Of

course I must forgive her when I am dying or I cannot take
the sacrament, but I am resolved I never will do so before."

"But you may die without having time for the sacraments,"
persisted Amabel; "or perhaps you may have lost the power
of forgiving by that time. What would happen then?"

"Niece Leighton, I desire you will not preach to me!" said

Mrs. Philippa, though she looked startled. "It is very
unbecoming in you to lecture your elders and betters.
There, I am not angry with you, but mind you don't do it
again. Tupper, where are the presents I bade you look out
for the young ladies?"

Tupper produced two parcels, and Mrs. Philippa gave

Amabel a glass smelling-bottle in a gilt filigree case, and me
a pretty tortoise-shell box full of caraway comfits. She then
called upon us to admire her work and her cat, which we
could do with a good conscience. Then, saying that she
would send for us again some day, she bade Tupper show
us the way to the still-room.

"Well, I declare, Mrs. Leighton—plague on this new-

fashioned way of saying Miss, I never shall learn it—you
have bewitched my mistress out and out," said Tupper, in a
tone of admiration, as we went down stairs. "I never knew
her bear such plain speaking from any one. If Mrs. Chloe
had said one quarter as much, Mrs. Philippa would have
flown at her."

"I ought not to have spoken so, perhaps, but it seemed to

me so dreadful," said Amabel, "to think of her not speaking
to her own sister for twenty years!"

"Yes, it is dreadful, and when you think it was all because

Mrs. Deborah saved her from life-long distress and misery.
Well there, it is not for me to gossip of the family affairs. I
dare say you will hear it all, only, I will just hint to you that
you will gain nothing by being afraid of her. Well, here is the
still-room. If you can give Mrs. Deborah any new receipts,
you will make her happy."

"Eh! What do you say?" asked Mrs. Deborah, whose sharp

ears had caught the words. "What is that, Tupper?"

Tupper repeated her words without any symptoms of alarm,

as I noticed.

"Yes, that is true enough, I am very fond of my still. Tupper,

you may as well carry a bottle of this lavender water to your
mistress. Tupper is a very valuable and faithful servant and
knows how to deal with Sister Philippa, poor thing!" she
added as Tupper shut the door. She always spoke of Mrs.
Philippa in this tone of compassion behind her back, though
she was occasionally sharp with her when they were
together.

I was happy in being able to give Mrs. Deborah a recipe for

distilling Milk water * which was new to her, and to promise
her some others when our luggage came. For I had
carefully compiled a receipt book under the instruction of
Mother Perpetua and Sister Lazarus, which contained some
very occult and precious secrets.

* See Mrs. Raffald's "Complete Cooke", or any old edition

of Mrs. Glaesse—Mrs. Raffald is worth republishing. L. E.
G.

From the still-room, we went to dinner. Afterward, we

visited the dairy and poultry yard, admired the beautiful
cows and the fine broods of ducks and fowls and made
friends with two or three great bloodhounds and an
immense mastiff, which were Mrs. Deborah's special pets. I
was at once adopted and taken possession of by a queer
little long-bodied short-legged rough terrier, of a color
between grey and blue.

"Those are Scottish dogs and come from one of the Western
Isles," said Mrs. Deborah. "There, take him for your own if
you like dogs, Lucy Corbet, only you must teach him to let
Sister Philippa's cats alone."

"If you please, Mum, the young lady can teach him with one
word!" said the old Scotch woman who had the principal
charge of the poultry. "Thae dogs are gey gleg at the
uptak."
"I fear my niece does not understand Scotch!" remarked
Mrs. Deborah.

"Oh yes! She means that such dogs are quick to learn!" said
I, guessing the old woman's meaning. I always could
understand dialects of all sorts and confess to being fond of
them.

"I'm thinking the leddy is gleg at the uptak her-sell!" said

Elsie with a smile. "She's no like the folk about her. I'm
thinking I'll just gang hame and tak up my ain hoose in the
spring, Mrs. Deborah. I coma thoh to bide wi' folk that
canna speak plain."

This was past me, gleg as I might be, and as we walked

away, I asked Mrs. Deborah what she meant.

"She means that she will go home and set up housekeeping

in the spring, because she cannot endure to stay with
people who cannot understand," answered Mrs. Deborah.
"But I am not alarmed. She has said the same thing for fifty
years at least. She is a good creature and very faithful, but
I have to stand between her and the other servants who
hate her for being Scotch, and dread her because they say
she knows more than she ought, and never goes to church."

"Why does she not go to church?" I asked.

"Because she is a Presbyterian, child."

I was not much the wiser because I did not know what a
Presbyterian was at that time. Afterward I found out that
Elsie was a member of the National Church or Kirk as they
call it of Scotland, who have a great dislike to Episcopacy—
no great wonder either. I am not fond of plum pudding, but
if any one were to try to drive it down my throat with a
bayonet, I think I should like it still less.
In the afternoon the wagon arrived with our luggage and all
Mrs. Deborah's purchases, including the harpsichord, which
was set up in the little red parlor, and proved to have borne
the journey very well. A part of the next day was spent in
unpacking our various possessions and setting them in
order.

We found that Mrs. Thorpe had prepared a pleasant surprise

for us by adding to our small library a number of volumes,
among which were "Sir Charles Grandison," and Clarissa
Harlowe and Mr. Law's "Serious Call." There was a glass-
cupboard in the room, which already contained a number of
volumes, mostly books of devotion of the age and style of
"The Whole Duty of Man" and "The Practice of Piety." There
were also a Shakespeare, a copy of Spenser, and one of the
"Arcadia" of Sir Philip Sidney. I should have mentioned the
library in my survey of the house. It was rather a gloomy
room containing some hundred or two of volumes in
presses, mostly old chronicles, books of Roman Catholic and
High Church divinity, and treatises on heraldry and hawking.

By Sunday we had begun to feel quite at home in our new

quarters. We went to Church in the morning with Mrs.
Deborah in the carriage all in state, with footmen behind.

The church had been a handsome one but it was partly in

ruins, and only the lady chapel, or what had been such, was
habitable. Small as it was, it was large enough for the
congregation, which seemed quite lost among the high
backed benches. There were no pews but our own and the
rector's which was quite empty, he being a widower without
children. Dr. Brown read Prayers. I never like much to
criticise a minister but I must say that so far as our service
can be spoiled, he spoiled it, mumbling and hurrying so that
it was difficult to tell where he was. The lesson was the
noble one for the first Sunday in Advent, but I do not
believe one person in ten knew what he was reading about.
There was no sermon, and nothing to take the place of it. A
more lifeless, spiritless performance in the shape of divine
service could not possibly be. Certainly it was a great
change from St. Anne's, where even before Mr. Cheriton
came over to Mr. Wesley's ways, he always gave full effect
to the service and the lessons. I heard Amabel sigh more
than once, and no wonder.

When we came out of church, Mrs. Deborah invited Doctor

Brown to dine with us. He excused himself on the ground of
having to hold afternoon service at his other church, five
miles off, but said he would do himself the honor to call in
the course of the week, as he had a great piece of news to
communicate.

There was a great bobbing of curtsies and pulling of

forelocks as we came out of church, and Mrs. Deborah
spoke to several of the older people particularly, inquiring
about their health and that of their families, and promising
to come and see several sick people.

"Parson be going away, I hears!" said Richard, as he helped

his mistress into the coach. "John Footman told me he has
got great preferment about Durham, some gate. They say
as the gentleman which was to be curate is to have the
living when Doctor Brown goes."

"Indeed! I suppose that was his great news!" said Mrs.

Deborah. "Well, I shall be sorry to have him go. He has
been here a long time—twenty years I should say."

"Well, I hope, mistress, we shan't get a worse in his place!"

answered Richard. "Folk do say the new gentleman has
many new-fangled ways."
We had an early dinner, after which Mrs. Chloe betook
herself to her own room, and Mrs. Deborah called upon us
to read to her in a great folio volume of sermons by Bishop
Kerr and some others of his school. Some of these
discourses were on practical religion, and these were
admirable for the most part, but a great many were
political,—all about the divine right of kings, the duty of
passive obedience to the sovereign, let him be ever so bad,
and other kindred topics. Oh, what a weariness they were
to the flesh and spirit—enough to make an out and out whig
of any lively young person from sheer contradiction. I am
afraid I was not one bit sorry for the Theban Legion, and
only regretted their massacre, because I had to hear so
much about it.

After two hours of this exercise, we were dismissed, and

refreshed ourselves by a long walk in the high park as it
was called, that which stretched up the hill behind the
house. We had supper earlier than usual, and then the card
table was set out, and we were invited to take a hand at
whist with Mrs. Chloe and Mrs. Deborah. We excused
ourselves on the ground that we knew nothing of whist.

"But you can learn!" said Mrs. Deborah. "It will be a

pleasure to have some one to go partners with."

We looked at each other and hesitated what to say. We had

talked over this matter of Sunday card playing with Mr.
Cheriton and with each other, and had decided that it was
not a right way of spending Sunday evening, though it was
a very common one at that day. Even clergymen thought it
no harm to take a hand at piquet.

"Well, what is the matter?" said Mrs. Deborah, impatiently.

"Why do you not sit down?"
"Will you please excuse me, aunt!" said Amabel, "I will learn
on some other evening, if you will be so good as to teach
me, but not on Sunday."

"Heyday! What does this mean!" exclaimed Mrs. Deborah,

the thunder-cloud on her brow looming blacker than usual.
"What sort of a Puritan have I brought home with me? Pray
miss, do you set yourself up for a saint?"

"Sister Deborah!" said Mrs. Chloe, warningly.

"I don't know what a Puritan is, and I am sure I am not a

saint?" said Amabel, gently. "I wish I were. But you know,
aunt, if I think a thing wrong, I cannot do it, even to please
you."

"And what right have you to think a thing wrong when it is

done by your elders and betters, miss?"

"Sister Deborah!"

"I have seen my elders and betters on their knees for hours
at a time before a piece of bread which they worshiped as
God!" said Amabel with some spirit. "But you would not like
to see me do that, aunt. Indeed you must please excuse
us."

But Mrs. Deborah was not to be pacified. She scolded us in

no measured terms, and finally bade us begone to our room
since she was not good company enough for two such
young saints. We betook ourselves to our little study, and
girl like, had a good cry over our disgrace.

Then having relieved our spirits, I opened the harpsichord,

and we began to sing out of Ravenscroft's Psalms, of which
we found a book in our book-case. We had not been singing
long, before Mrs. Chloe came in and seated herself, followed
presently by Mrs. Deborah. We sung several psalms and two
or three sacred pieces of Mr. Handel's for the ladies, and
Mrs. Chloe professed herself much delighted with the music.

Mrs. Deborah did not say a great deal, but she bade us a
kind good-night, and her regular—"I hope I see you well,
nieces," was spoken in the morning with the same cordiality
as ever.

We were not again asked to play cards on Sunday evening,

and after a while it became a regular thing for us to
entertain our aunts with sacred music at that time. Mrs.
Deborah had a hasty temper naturally, which was not
improved by a long course of absolute rule, but she had not
one atom of malice or rancor in her disposition. She liked
the music at first, because it gave pleasure to poor Mrs.
Chloe, and afterward for its own sake, and she was never
the stuff whereof persecutors are made.

CHAPTER XVIII.

WINTER.
WE soon began to feel quite at home at Highbeck Hall, and
knew all the nooks and corners about the old place, which
were accessible to us. We were not a little curious about the
shut up rooms, but of course we asked no questions,
though I for one associated them with the beautiful lady in
the saloon, and determined to get the story out of old Elsie
some day.

We prescribed to ourselves a regular routine of study,

practise, and work, beginning of course with about twice as
much as we could do, and coming by degrees down to a
more reasonable plan, to which we adhered as well as
people generally do in such circumstances.

We read in our history which we had begun with Mrs.

Cropsey, but at last abandoned it, for my Lord Clarendon's
history of the Rebellion, at the request of Mrs. Deborah;
who was determined to make us into as thorough Jacobites
as she was herself. Even as Lord Clarendon tells the story, I
must say, I did not acquire as greet an admiration for poor
King Charles as I could have wished. He seemed to me to
be tyrannical and timid both at once, and I could not forgive
his abandonment of Lord Strafford, and the way in which he
deceived his friends. But it may easily be guessed, that I no
more hinted anything of this kind to Aunt Deborah, than I
should have dared to suggest to Mother Prudentia a doubt
of St. Agnes' prudence, in running away to St. Francis in the
middle of the night. *

* Which she did at the age of fourteen, and afterward

persuaded her Sister Clare, aged twelve, to do the same.
—L. E. G.
We practised our music for two hours daily, during which
time Aunt Chloe usually sat with us. We learned to ride on
horseback, and to take long walks when the weather
permitted, attended usually by one or other of the
bloodhounds to keep off stray cattle or intrusive gypsies.
We visited the poor people, and carried broth and medicines
to the sick, and spent a good deal of time in gossiping with
the old men and women in the alm-houses, and in reading
to them. Only one or two of them could read, but all liked to
be read to, and took pleasure also in telling their stories like
other old people. We also made great friends with old Elsie,
and heard many stories from her of the past glories of the
Grahames, and their exploits on the border. In short, we
were as much at home in Highbeck Hall in two weeks, as
though we had lived there all our lives.

We had visitors from time to time, from among the gentry

in the neighborhood. These visits usually lasted from two to
four days, and were desperately dull, to my thinking.
However, Aunt Chloe enjoyed them, and they brightened
her up amazingly. We used to be called upon to play and
sing for the edification of the visitors, and always received
great commendation.

When there were young people of our own age, they were
of course turned over to us for entertainment, and very
much puzzled we were at first to know what to do with
them, not being used to the company of girls of our own
age. But we usually found we could amuse them by tales of
our convent life, especially with the story of the robbery,
which was always received with breathless interest. Then it
was a time when fancy-work of all sorts was greatly in
vogue. Ladies used to do cut-work, and lace-work, chenille-
embroidery, and satin-stitch, and cross-stitch, and dozens
of other stitches, and various kinds of knotting. *
 * What is now called tatting. See Mrs. Delaney's
memoirs.

Thanks to Mother Prudentia, we were proficient in all these

pursuits, and what we did not know, our visitors did. Miss
Jenny Thicknesse, I remember, was very enthusiastic over
the shell-work, and cardboard work in imitation of stucco,
with which she and her sister were adorning the gothic
arches of an old chapel in her father's house. They were
nice homely ladylike girls, and we were great friends with
them.

Doctor Brown was to go to his deanery in Durham after the

holidays, and Mr. Lethbridge from Berwick, was to come in
his place.

What any one should have seen in Doctor Brown to merit

such promotion I cannot guess; but he had grand
connections, and was a cousin of the Bishop's lady, which
might account for it. We young ones were not displeased at
the prospect of a change, though we liked the doctor
personally, well enough. He was a fat good-natured sort of
man, ready enough to do a kindness when it came in his
way, but not likely to seek such occasions, if they cost him
any trouble. He used to read prayers every other Sunday,
and administer the sacrament once a quarter; but he hardly
ever preached, and as to any personal instruction, his
people might as well have lived in Grand Tartary. He gave
liberally in charity, and I suppose satisfied his conscience in
that way. He was very fond of cards, and considered a
wonderful whist-player. Whenever he came to the Hall, on a
Sunday night, the card table was always set out. Doctor
Brown almost always won, and as regularly gave his
winnings to Mrs. Deborah for the poor people at the alm-
houses. Sometimes Mrs. Philippa would send for him to play
piquet with her, and at last it became a regular thing for
him to do so. I don't think the other ladies were very sorry
to be released.

By degrees, I learned from Mrs. Chloe, who was not

disinclined to a little gossip, a good deal of the family
history. I learned that each of the ladies had small
independent fortunes of their own, derived from their
mother's settlements—that she and Mrs. Deborah, used a
good deal of their incomes in keeping up the house, while
Mrs. Philippa saved hers, or laid it out for her own
convenience; that Sir Julius had never been near the estate
since his second marriage, though he derived a considerable
revenue from it, and was very particular to have the rents
paid up to the day, and sometimes drew for more money
than it was convenient to spare—that his second wife had
been very rich, and—

"A good sort of woman so far as I know, my dear—but of no

family at all—not an ancestor to bless herself with. Of
course I was sorry for the poor lady's death—very sorry!"
said Mrs. Chloe. "And for the poor little lad, though I had
never seen him; but still it would be much better for the
estate to come to Amabel. Her mother was not a
Northumbrian woman to be sure, but she was of a very old
Devonshire or Cornish family."

"Perhaps Sir Julius may marry again," said I. "He is quite a

young man yet."

"Oh, my dear, I hope not," answered Mrs. Chloe, looking

startled. "It would be sad for poor Amabel to have a step-
mother, though to be sure her last one never did her any
harm. But if he does take a third wife I hope she may be a
lady of quality."
Mrs. Chloe also had endless stories to tell of the families in
the neighborhood. She had been a belle and a beauty in her
day, and received many offers, none of which her brother
had seen fit to let her accept. Either there was not money
enough, or family enough, or something. So poor Chloe had
gone on to thirty-five without being married, and now the
smallpox had spoiled her beauty, and she was not like to
marry at all. She was a good, gentle, little creature, not at
all strong in any way, and had been kept in such a state of
tutelage and dependence that she had no mind of her own
about any subject save one which she could not keep to
herself. Poor Aunt Chloe was desperately anxious to be
married. She used to tell us, as she sat over her embroidery
frame, about the offers she had had, something in this
wise:

"There was Mr. Favor, my dears—such a fine young man—

six feet high, at least, and a perfect gentleman in manners,
I am sure, and a splendid horseman, but his grandfather
had been in trade, it seems, and Julius thought it would not
do. Then there was the Reverend James P. Thirlwall. He had
no great fortune, to be sure, but a good living, and would
have settled all my fortune on myself and my children; but
then the Thirlwalls are all Whigs, and they say one of the
family was connected with the regicides," and so on and so
on. I know these stories left me with the strong impression
that Sir Julius Leighton's aim had all along been to keep
Mrs. Chloe from marrying at all, that her fortune might
remain in the family. They did not make me augur well for
the success of Mr. Cheriton's suit. I think Amabel felt the
same, though she did not say a word.

It was from Mrs. Chloe that we heard Mrs. Philippa's story.

It seems she had been betrothed to a young man of good
family, and the wedding was near at hand, when Mrs.
Deborah discovered that the bridegroom was playing a
double game—that he was also betrothed to a citizen's
daughter in Newcastle, and was only waiting till he could
find out which lady was like to have the better fortune of
the two. She acquainted her father with her discovery. Sir
Thomas being a man of spirit, looked into the matter,
discovered the gentleman's double game, and invited him to
one of two courses—to marry Mrs. Philippa out of hand, or
to meet him with the sword, as the custom was in those
days.

Mr. Philip Falconer did neither, but preferred to elope with

his city lady-love who, though neither young, handsome,
nor well born like Mrs. Philippa, had a much larger fortune
all in her own power. One would think Mrs. Philippa might
have been glad to be free from such a poltroon. Instead of
that, she went into fits, took to her bed, and had never
spoken to Aunt Deborah since. There appeared no reason
why she should not be as active as any one, only that she
did not choose, for when she did take a fancy to come down
stairs she walked as nimbly as Aunt Deborah herself.

It seemed for a time, however, that my auguries were likely

to prove false, and that Amabel's course of true love was
like to run smooth. Just about Christmas time Mr. Cheriton
paid us a visit, bringing letters from Sir Julius to Mrs.
Deborah and to Amabel herself. Sir Julius wrote very kindly
to his daughter. He said she was rather young to marry, and
must wait at least a year, but as Mr. Cheriton was a man of
good family, and had a competent fortune beside his living,
and a likelihood of church preferment, he should make no
objection to his paying his addresses to his daughter.

What he wrote to Mrs. Deborah I don't know, but she

received Mr. Cheriton very politely, even though he and his
family were known for steadfast adherents to the reigning
dynasty, and hoped she should have the pleasure of seeing
his father and mother at Highbeck Hall during the Christmas
season.

They came accordingly—he, a venerable, kind old man, very

sincerely religious in his fashion, and though a little
perplexed as to his son's new-fangled ways, as he called
them, yet quite willing to accept them, and believe they
must be good because Walter said so; she, the very model
of a Lady Bountiful, a perfect housekeeper, a famous
concoctor of syrups, draughts, and emulsions, of broth and
brewis, the kind if somewhat arbitrary friend of the poor.
She had not been in the house two hours, before she had
propounded at least a dozen different remedies for Aunt
Chloe's cough, from bread jelly with lemon-peel and raisins,
to a couple of snails boiled in her tea-water. This last was
confided in a whisper to Aunt Deborah, as it was essential
to the cure that the patient should know nothing about it.

Both these good people took very kindly to Amabel, and

invited us both to visit them. Mrs. Cheriton presented
Amabel with a pair of pearl ear-rings which had been given
herself on her wedding day, and promised her some silver
which had been in the family three hundred years at least.
(Did any one ever hear of an heirloom which had been in a
family for less than three hundred years?) The subject of
politics was kept out of sight by mutual consent, so we all
parted excellent friends.

Mr. Cheriton returned to his parish in Newcastle, where, he

told us, matters were going very much to his satisfaction.
He had succeeded in establishing the weekly lecture on
which he had set his heart; and it was well attended. He
had also set up classes for the young women and elder
girls, where they read good books and perfected themselves
in various useful works, and in these Mrs. Thorpe was giving
him very efficient help. He was on the best of terms with
the rector of St. Nicholas, an old gentleman who was nearly
or quite blind, but an excellent man and a good clergyman.
This gentleman had been away during the whole of our stay
in Newcastle, and we had more than once heard it said that
on his return he would put a spoke in Mr. Cheriton's wheel;
so that it was a great pleasure to hear that though he did
not exactly approve of all Mr. Cheriton's doings, and thought
him rather over-zealous, he made no active opposition to
him.

Mr. Cheriton also told us another thing which we found it

hard to believe—namely, that he was quite sure he had
seen Father Brousseau at one of Mr. Wesley's out-of-door
preachings he had attended not long before. He said he had
not known how to believe his own eyes at first, but he had
watched him and was quite sure it was the same person he
had seen at Mrs. Thorpe's shop.

"How very strange!" said Amabel. "How did he look?"

"He seemed very much affected, I thought!" replied Mr.

Cheriton. "At first, he pulled his hat down and kept his cloak
up as if he were afraid of being seen, but toward the last he
seemed too much interested in the discourse to think about
concealment. But I can tell you news of another friend,
which will surprise you yet more!" he added smiling. "Mrs.
Cropsey is married!"

"Married!" we both exclaimed not very civilly! "Not married

already! Why, her husband has not been dead a year, and
she could never speak of him without crying."

"Exactly!" replied Mr. Cheriton drily. "She did up all her grief
at once. She was married very privately by license more
than two months ago to old Mr. Arnott the great ship owner,
but it is owned now, and she presides over his fine house
with great dignity."

"I hope she will not talk as much of poor dear Mr. Cropsey
as she used to do to us!" I remarked. "I have wished
sometimes the good man had either not died at all, or else
had died before she ever saw him!"

"I have only heard her mention him once!" said Mr.
Cheriton. "I had some business with Mr. Arnott, and was
asked to dine, and Mrs. Arnott remarked as she dispensed
the hare soup, how much poor dear Mr. Cropsey would have
enjoyed it. He was so fond of hare soup!"

We had no very grand doings at Christmas, as Mrs. Chloe

continued very unwell and there was no master at home.
However, every cottager received a good piece of beef and
a pudding or materials for one; all the old women in the
alms houses had doles of tea and snuff, and those who
needed them had new gowns or red cloaks.

Amabel and I had a guinea apiece for a Christmas box from

each of our aunts, and Mrs. Philippa formally made over to
Amabel her cat, which had attached itself to her very much
of late. I did not understand this proceeding at the time, but
I did afterward.

We had another present which made us feel sadly. Mrs.

Chloe had for a year and more, been embroidering a set of
chairs, and a couch in chenilles and silks. They were
designed with a great deal of taste and beautifully worked
so far, but on Christmas morning, Aunt Chloe gave them to
Amabel and myself to finish, saying that it hurt her chest to
bend over the frame, and besides she was rather tired of
them. We could finish these against Amabel should have a
room to furnish, and she would begin a set for me in the
spring, when her cough should be better. Meantime, she
would work at her knitted counterpane, which really ought
to be finished.

Mrs. Deborah approved of this motion of her sister's saying

that she was sure such close application was bad for Chloe,
but she went out of the room directly afterward, and we did
not see her till church time.

Christmas was a very serious day to us in another way. It

was the first day that Amabel and I partook of the
sacrament after the forms of the Church of England. Mrs.
Deborah had been anxious to have us do so: we had talked
the matter over with Mr. Cheriton, and had read the books
he had suggested to us. This is not the place to enlarge
upon such matters. I may just say, however, that we both
found great comfort in the ordinance and never afterward
missed it willingly. Mr. Lethbridge officiated for the first
time, and his manner was very serious and proper. Dr.
Brown was present, and preached a short sermon, which
was as old Elsie used to say like chips in porridge, neither
good nor bad.

Aunt Chloe went to church with us. It was the last time she
ever went, and she seemed to feel very deeply the
solemnity of the occasion. There was a fair congregation, a
good many of whom I fear got very drunk at the ale house
afterward,—but nobody in those parts thought that a matter
of any consequence, or indeed expected anything else. It
was one of the serious charges brought against the
Methodist preachers as showing that they were not what
they ought to be, that they drank neither ale nor spirits,
and discouraged the use of them among their converts.

On twelfth day the whole family were invited to a dinner

and ball at Brayton, the house of the Thicknesse family. We
had never been at a ball, and Molly and Jenny Thicknesse
were great friends of ours. We promised ourselves much
pleasure in the visit, and were specially desirous of seeing
the shell-work with which the girls had been adorning their
chapel and their own room. But fate was against us. The
very day we were to go, Amabel was taken with a violent
rheum and defluxion,* and it was clearly impossible for her
to venture out.

* What we should call a cold in the head, then considered

a matter of more consequence than now.

Mrs. Deborah would have sent an excuse for the whole

party, but Mrs. Chloe looked so greatly disappointed, that
we begged Mrs. Deborah to go and leave me to nurse
Amabel, with the help of old Elsie and Tupper to depend
upon in case of an emergency.

Amabel felt very uncomfortable all the morning, but she

was better at night, and able to sit up to tea in our own
room. The housekeeper sent us up all sorts of nice things,
including a plate of short bread, and we would have Elsie sit
down and take tea with us. After we had finished, we drew
up to the fire, and coaxed Elsie to tell us tales of the two
families—and when we had drawn her into the full tide of
narration, I put into execution a scheme I had long had in
mind.

"Elsie, do you know the story of the beautiful lady whose

picture hangs next the saloon door—the one who has a veil
hanging over her picture?"

"Aye, do I, my lammie!" answered Elsie. "And a gruesome

story it is; they dinna like to speak o't in the family, but it's
true for all that."
"Oh, tell it to us!" we both exclaimed; and Amabel added,
—"I love to hear ghost stories."

"It's no just a ghost story as you call't," said Elsie.

"However, I do not ken any harm the telling it will do,
unless it makes you afraid to go to bed. But you must not
tell Mrs. Deborah, for I'm jealous she would not wish it
talked about."

"She told us we might ask you!" said I, as indeed she had.

"Aweel, then it is all right!" And as Elsie took up her distaff

which was as much a part of herself as Aunt Chloe's
knitting, we settled ourselves for the enjoyment of a story.

"Aweel, young ladies!" Elsie began, dismissing her spindle

to twirl upon the hearth-stone, and looking into the fire with
her bright deep blue eyes.

"You maun ken that there was once a Lord of Leighton, who
was the last heir in the direct line. It behooved him to
marry, for the estate had gone on from father to son, ever
since before the Danes came into the country. He would
have had no fash at all in finding a mate, forby the great
estate which was far greater then as they say, and the fine
house and a'; he was a weal favored lad, and knew how to
make the leddies pleased wi' him."

"His mother was at him night and day to take a wife, but he
would not listen to her, and they say there used to be awful
scenes betwixt them, for she was a Percy and proud as
Lucifer, and he was as dour and obstinate as all the rest of
the Leighton men—craving your pardon, mem." This to
Amabel.

"I don't think I am very dour—am I, Lucy?" said Amabel

smiling.
"You are never obstinate about little matters!" I answered.
"But I think if you once made up your mind that a thing was
right or wrong, you would be torn with wild horses before
you would give up."

"And so much the better for her!" said Elsie. "And so my

dawties—I beg your pardon—young leddies I should say—
things got worse and worse between the young lord and his
mother. At last the auld leddy began to have her suspicions,
and she watched; and by and by she found sure enough,
that her son was secretly married to a young lass, the only
child of a poor old man who lived on the estate."

"Aweel it's a sad story, and hardly fit for young ears, only to
show what pride may lead weak and sinful mortals to do.
The leddy went to see the poor thing, who was no' weel at
the time, and persuaded her to take a medicine she brought
her, which should make her well and strong. She took it, fell
into fits and in an hour was dead. Her father was like one
wild, and when the lord came that very evening to visit his
wife, the auld man up and tauld him the whole story, and
showed him the draught that was left—for she had na taken
it all. The young lord gave it to a dog that followed him, and
the poor creature died directly."

"You may guess that the young lord and his mother did not
meet on friendly terms. He charged her with murder to her
face, and she owned it and gloried in it, and dared him to
revenge it on her—the wicked creature—and he swore an
awful oath, that now he would never marry at all, unless he
married a she wolf—for that alone would be fit to mate with
his mother. And then he flung away, and rode like one
possessed through the mirk winter's night, and it was
weeks before he returned. They say, that as he spoke his
rash words, the long mournful howl of a wolf was heard in
the woods so near the house that they both started—for
though there were wolves in plenty in the Cheviot hills in
those days, they did not often come near any dwelling."

"I hope there are none about here now?" said I, for I had
heard stories enough about these creatures in France, to
make me dreadfully afraid of them.

"Na, na! there's no wolf been seen in these parts for more
than fifty years—not since I was a young maid like you. I
heard tell that auld Lochiel killed one in Scotland not so long
ago, but the Cameron's country is far away from here in the
Highlands.

"Aweel, to go on with the tale. It was toward spring when

my lord came home, and he was not alone; he had brought
a wife with him, whom he had married in Scotland. He gave
out that she belonged to one of the clans of the West
Highlands, and that he had saved her from great danger,
but what he did not say. She was a beautiful creature as
you may see by her picture, and kind enough to her
servants; but that was about her, which made her more
feared than loved. She had bright eyes of the kind called
hazel in these parts, but when she was angered or excited,
they glowed like balls of green fire, and the servants
declared they even shone in the dark. She was very civil to
her mother-in-law, but soon let her know that she meant to
be mistress in her own house, and after one trial the old
lady never attempted to take the high hand again.

"Aweel, the time went on, and all through the summer
there were merry-makings of all sorts; but when cold
weather came, the lady was na weel, and kept her room,
and nothing could make her stir out of doors, though doctor
and nurse thought it would be much better for her. The
wolves were very bold that winter, and came nearer the Hall
than they had ever done before. The lady was dreadfully
afraid of them, and when their long howls used to be heard,
she would cling to her husband and hide her face in his
neck. Neither would she thole his joining any of the hunting
parties set out against the wolves, and it was a great vex to
him no doubt, for he was a keen hunter, but it behooved
him to pleasure his wife whatever it cost.

"Aweel, in the spring the leddy gave her husband a fine lad
bairn, and there were great rejoicings on the estate. The
leddy seemed to get over her fears, and went about with
her husband and entertained company; but there were
those who said she was na quite herself. She had a watchful
look always about her, and any sudden noise in the night
would make her start and clasp her bairn to her breast. She
seemed to worship the child, and would not bear it out of
her sight; but yet she would not nurse it, and had a young
woman from the village to suckle it. After the babe was
christened she seemed easier about it, but yet her face
never lost the apprehensive look.

"The summer went by and the cold weather came on, and
again the wolves began to come down from the hills. The
lady showed the same terror of them, and begged her
husband not to hunt them. But one day when he was away,
some of his friends persuaded him, laughing at him, and
telling, he should be too much of a man to be afraid of his
wife, and be tied to her apron-string, handsome as she was.
So away he went on the hunt, and had the fortune to slay a
great dog wolf, and ye shall not hinder him from bringing
the creature home to show to his wife.

"The poor leddy had been shut in her room all day, very low
in her spirits, as though she mistrusted where her lord had
gone. The rooms had all been new fitted for her with many
beautiful ornaments and pictures, but she found no comfort
in any thing. She sat by the fire with her babe hugged to
her bosom till she heard her lord's horses in the court. Then
she gave the babe to its nurse and ran down to meet him.
He kissed her as she threw her arms round his neck, and
bade his man show the leddy what he had brought her. The
man threw down on the floor the carcass of a great gray
wolf. The lady gave one scream—they said it echoed
through the house—and fled to her bedroom, bolting herself
in. She would na open to any one—not to her husband or
her child—but they heard her wailing and crying fit to break
her heart.

"It was just midnight when those within the hall heard, as
though close at hand, the long-drawn, piercing howl of a
wolf. It was answered so near that the cry seemed within
the very hall itself, and so dreadful was the sound that it
made every one's blood run cold. My lord, who had come
down stairs, ran up to his lady's room, thinking she would
be terrified to death. He found the nurse, who watched by
the sleeping babe, in the outer room stretched on the floor
in a faint, but there was no sound from within. Reckless in
his dread, he ordered the door to be broken in. The room
was empty. The leddy's clothes that she had worn all day
lay in a heap on the floor. The door to a little turnpike stair
that led down to the garden was open, but, alive or dead,
the poor leddy was never seen mair.

"The babe seemed to pine for his mither, though she had
never nursed him, and in a week, he too died, and was
buried. The lord had the rooms which had been his wife's
closed and locked just as she left them, and he went to the
Holy Wars, as they called them, against the Turks, and
never came home. The estate went to a cousin after all; but
they say that when some great misfortune is about to
happen to the family, the long howl of a wolf is heard at
night in Highbeck Woods."
Elsie ended her story and we sat a few moments in silence.
Then Amabel remarked quietly—

"I suppose those are the shut up rooms between this

chamber and the king's room."

"Aye, they have never been opened since, or sae they say,
and a veil hangs always over the poor leddy's picture,
though Mrs. Deborah's mother used think it was only a
fancy piece, since nobody knew how to paint such pictures
in those days. She was a very well-educated young leddy,
was my young mistress, and had been at school at a
convent in France."

And here Elsie diverged into an account of her young

mistress, who had been Amabel's grandmother. I was not
sorry, for the tale had "garred me grew," as Elsie said, and I
was glad that the poor wolf-lady, if such she was, could
claim no kin with me. I have since learned that there are
plenty of ghost stories in my own family. Indeed, the Corbet
ghosts have made themselves so cheap that they are very
little regarded. I cannot say that either Amabel or myself
slept any the worse for Elsie's story, though I must confess
to starting sometimes when the bloodhounds would give
vent to their long melancholy bay, worshipping the moon
after the fashion of their race.

Mrs. Deborah and Mrs. Chloe came home the next day but
one, Mrs. Chloe seeming much revived by her visit. The ball
had been a great success, and Mrs. Chloe had danced one
dance with a very fine gentleman indeed—some officer or
other—who had given her a fine copy of verses next
morning, as the fashion was then. *

* Those who are curious may find plenty of such copies of

verses in old collections. They might mostly be made on a
 machine.

Molly and Jenny had greatly regretted our absence, and had
sent us a box of shells, and a needle-book and work-bag of
their own manufacture. Mine was made of flowers cut out in
satin and paper, and placed between two thicknesses of
transparent catgut, † and was really very pretty and
ingenious.

† A thin, transparent, but rather stiff material, much used

for ornamental works. I have seen an old work-bag made
of it.

Aunt Chloe had learned several new stitches, and the

teaching of these and describing the dresses at the ball
afforded her amusement, till something happened which
drove General B., his sword-knot, and copies of verses,
effectually out of her head. This event, however, must be
reserved for another chapter.

CHAPTER XIX.
 SURPRISES.

WE went on in our usual course for some weeks.

Mr. Lethbridge, the new rector, proved quite a contrast to

Doctor Brown. He was a thin, serious faced young man,
very much in earnest, and not always (or so I thought) very
discreet in his zeal. He was one of those men who seem, if I
may so express myself, to have no perspective in their
minds. To eat meat on a Friday in Lent, or to go to a dance
on the green were in his eyes as great crimes as to get
drunk at the alehouse or to beat one's wife.

He sorely puzzled and distressed old Gaffer Bell at the

almshouse, by telling him that for a man so near the grave
as he was, to spend hours in playing the fiddle was a
frivolous if not a sinful waste of time. And when Gaffer Bell,
one of the two or three old people who could read and a
pretty good Bible scholar too, told him that he "didn't find
nowt agen the fiddle in Bible—" he reproved him for
speaking lightly of sacred things. Mr. Lethbridge approved
highly of some of Mr. Wesley's doings, such as his prayer
and conference meetings, and set one of the latter up in his
own parish.

"And pray what sort of conferences do you have?" asked

Mrs. Deborah. "Do not the people get into undesirable
disputes."

"Oh no!" answered Mr. Lethbridge complacently. "I take care

to prevent that by allowing no one to speak but myself."

"Rather an odd sort of conference meeting that, Brother

Lethbridge, where the conference is all on one side, like the
Irish gentleman's reciprocity," said Doctor Brown, with one
of his jolly laughs. "Your pattern Mr. Wesley manages quite
differently, as I understand. He allows the old folk to have
their say, and I dare say it might be quite interesting to
hear what they could find to talk about!" added the Doctor,
as if struck by a sudden idea. "I am not sure but I should
like to try it sometime. At any rate, it would give them
pleasure, for old folk like to be listened to."

Mr. Lethbridge drew into his shell as his custom was when
he thought himself assailed, and Doctor Brown began to
talk about something else. It was one of Mr. Lethbridge's
troubles that whenever any one criticised any of his
methods, he always thought the cause of Christ was
attacked. Nevertheless he was a good young man and a
good preacher, visited the sick and the feeble faithfully,
catechised the children and revived the school, which had
fallen quite into disuse of late years.

Mrs. Deborah took a great interest in the matter,

recommended a very capable and efficient school-mistress,
and made liberal presents of working materials. Amabel and
I visited this institution of learning twice or three times a
week, helped to teach the children in sewing, reading,
knitting, and the Catechism. And when the three girls who
made the first class, got through their duty toward their
neighbour without a stumble, we felt as proud as though we
had made them ourselves.

People began to come to church on other occasions than to

get themselves married or buried, and to join a little in the
responses, and almost all agreed that Parson was a kind
gentleman, and a good preacher and good to the poor,
though he would look into matters for himself and refused
the Shrove Tuesday dole to Betty Hackett, because he found
out that she changed off her Christmas blankets at the
alehouse.
Lent fell rather late that year, and about a fortnight before
Shrove Tuesday, Mrs. Philippa surprised us all by coming
down stairs to dinner, and still more astonished us by not
finding fault with any thing on the table. She really made
herself very agreeable, as she well knew how when she
chose. But when she again appeared at supper, our surprise
knew no bounds.

"These are very nice cheese-cakes!" said she in the course

of the meal. "Pray, Sister Deborah, is this your usual receipt
or have you a new one?"

The remark was not a startling one certainly, but when one
considers that it was the first direct word Mrs. Philippa had
addressed to Mrs. Deborah for more than twenty years, it is
perhaps no wonder that Mrs. Chloe dropped her tea-cup,
and that Amabel and I both tried so hard to look
unconcerned, that it was well no strangers were present.

Mrs. Deborah however answered as quietly as though she

had been chatting with her sister all day.

"The cheese-cakes are much as usual, Sister Philippa. It is

perhaps that exercise has given you a better appetite."

"Possibly!" replied Mrs. Philippa with a smile. "You were

always famous for your cheese-cakes, Sister Deborah."

From the cheese-cakes, Mrs. Philippa diverged to other

subjects. She told several anecdotes of her youth, asked
Mrs. Deborah if she did not remember this and that
circumstance, told Mrs. Chloe that she was nervous and
needed the doctor, and in short made herself so agreeable
that I did not know her. After supper, she delayed a moment
and said, as it seemed with a little hesitation:
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