I suppose my face grew longer and longer; for she checked herself, and said, heaving an apologetic sigh

"Yes, my dear ma'am, it's all very sad and very shocking; but, then, there's the comfort that it does not all come on us at once. All these melancholy cases I have been running over, only occurred during a long course of years, at considerable intervals from one another; and though none but such an established character as mine could have survived the obloquy occasioned by Miss Curlew, nor any ingenuity, much short of supernatural, have circumvented Monsieur Bougie, yet I never knew of any similar cases quite as bad ; and as for the daily worry and wear, why that you must expect."

At this instant, the time-piece struck two. She asked me to lunch with her, but I declined, with thanks, assuring her we dined

early, and apologising for having trespassed on her time and kindness so unmercifully. She said with great friendliness, that it was of no consequence, heartily wished me success, promised to do for us anything she could, and, to wind up all, sent her compliments and condolences to Miss Jacintha.

F

M

CHAPTER IV.

Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend,

For the lesson thou hast taught,
That at the flaming forge of life
Our fortunes must be wrought;
And on its sounding anvil shaped,
Each burning deed and thought.

LONGFELLOW.

Y mind was so busy, that the way home

appeared short. On reaching the house I was sensible of very great fatigue, and felt I must recruit and repose myself. I had no opportunity of doing so, however, for Jacintha met me at the drawing-room door with a woebegone face, and was too much pre-occupied with her own experiences of the morning to think either of my details or my fatigue.

"Oh, this plan will never do, Isabella," said she, as soon as I dropped on the sofa; "Mrs. Forsyth says it will never do."

"Wait a little," said I, hastily giving Hawkins my bonnet, shawl, and gloves to carry away. "Now, what is it?"

Meanwhile, Marian, radiant with smiles, had looked in on us: had heard Jacintha's discouraging exclamation, and seen my jaded looks. Hastily saying, "How tired Isabella is!" she had withdrawn, followed by Hawkins.

"Now then, what is it?" said I. And Jacintha poured out her woes. Mrs. Forsyth had been quite thunderstruck: Mrs. Forsyth was quite against it, and sure it would not do at all. We were not the sort of people to understand such a thing or make it answer; we should lose caste for nothing, forfeit our position, lose old friends, make no new ones, get

into debt, difficulty, and trouble. And large tears rolled down Jacintha's cheeks.

"Trust me for not getting into debt," said I. "Mrs. Forsyth may drop us, but I am sure no real friends will; and whatever difficulties and trouble we may meet with (we shall be sure of them, whatever course we adopt,) we shall never incur disgrace."

"What Isabella says is quite true," said Marian, coming in with a cup of excellent arrowroot for me: "you must have this, Isabella; you require it, after your unusual exertions. Jacintha, you really must not take on this way, or you'll be the diet of worms!" This set Jacintha off laughing; and Marian eagerly continued, "I've got a pupil !” "You, you chit," cried Jacintha, amazed.

"Yes! Fanny Ward!"

Jacintha's countenance fell: "Only a draper's daughter," said she.