ilent, staring stupidly straight before him. The shock that had fallen on his dull br

Come, James," she said; "pull yourself together." It was useless to speak to

river was about to throw the paper away, when Mrs. Bellbridge (seeing it on the other side) took it out of his hand. "It isn't print," she said; "it's writing." A closer examination showed that the writing was addressed to

lf, madam, about the diamonds. You have made

had stolen the diamonds. Was it worth while to drive to his lodgings? They tr

mazement it set the question of the theft at rest, on the highest aut

le of newspapers - discovered the report - and became aware, for the first time, that a collection of Brazilian diamonds, consigned to the Liverpool firm, was missing from the wrecked vessel when she had been boarded by the salvage party, and had not been found since. Events, which it was impossible for him to mention (seeing that doing so would involve a breach of confidence placed in him in his professional capacity), had revealed to his knowledge a hiding-place in which these same diamonds, in all probability, were concealed. This circumstance had left him no alternative, as an honest man, but to be beforehand with the persons, who (as he believed) contemplated stealing the precious stones. He had, accordingly, taken them under his protection, until they were identified and claimed

through their fingers. The berths in the steamer for New York had been taken and paid for. James had ma

don his wife and his stepson, and to escape to America in a French steamer. He went to the office of the English company, and offered the places which he h

ve was (as he expressed it himself) to "have his pennyworth for his penny, and to turn his family to good ac

r life the bride was equal to

tame the bridegroom. In his absence, she wisely armed herself with the most irresistible fascinations of her sex. Never yet had he seen her dressed as she was dressed when he came home. Never yet had her magnificent eyes looked at him as they looked now. Emotions for which he was not prepared o

ther in packing up. She had collected her few morsels of darned and ragged clothing, and had gone upstairs to put them into one of the dilapidated old trunks in the garret play ground, when the servant was sent to bring her back to

is you

er self her face might have presented, in the distant time when she was young, was now completely overlaid by a surface of a flabby fat which, assisted by green spectacles, kept the virtues (or vices) of thi

voice as to make it worthy of the terrors of her face. But for her p

obeyed,

l-mistress proceeded, "and to be taught

store for her. She sheltered herself behind her merciless mother.

shoulders, and pushed her a

le female creature with the man'

terror shook little Syd from head to foot. She fell on her knees with a cry of misery that might have melted the heart of a

hard heart felt faintly the influence of the most intimate and most sacre

moment of maternal indecision - and saw that it was tim

ter. "You never did know, and you nev

her - shook her. "Be quiet, you imp!" It was needless to tell her to be quiet. Syd's little curly head sa

The S

ly, where weary lives l

that long interval no news of her mother, her brother, or her stepfather had reached England; she had received no letter, she had not even hea

nd. Wearily waiting for their release, the scholars saw an event happen which was a novelty in their domestic experience. The m

, miss, there'

rds, she was reduced to silence by t

to come here in school

ns of perpetual scolding, the servant stood he

iss Wigger tried to interrupt her again. "And here's his ca

as accessible to the promptings of curiosity.

don't know this person," Miss Wigger declared.

er I see one yet,"

! Did he ask for

d my tongue. No; he

did he wan

on his

n, and discovered (faintly traced in

Miss Westerfield. Miss Westerfield rose

. But Sydney Westerfield had lived for six weary years in the place of earthly torment, kept by Miss Wigger under the name of a school. Every budding beauty, except the unassailable beauty of her eyes and her hair, had been nipped under the frosty superintendence of her maternal aunt. Her cheeks were hollow, her delicate l

sing before the class was dismissed, Miss Wigger began by

o explain

t d

r, that you will a

orst possible example to your class. I sha

class. It was then within ten minutes of the half hour after twelve - when the pupils were dismissed to the

cles. Even under that disadvantage his appearance spoke for itself. The servant's estimate of him was beyond dispute. Mr. Herbert Linley's good breeding was e

ess, if you please?

e is growing old. Herbert Linley had rashly anticipated that the "young lady," whom it was the object of his visit to see, would prove to be young in the liter

nt. May I ask"- he paused, and took out a newspaper from the pocket of his o

aper, and pointed t

ly pointed again. Still inaccessible to the newspaper, Miss Wigger turned her spectacles next to the front window of the room, and discovered a handsome carriage waiting at the door. (Money evidently in the p

n only a junior teacher at a school, she offers her services on trial, leaving it to her employer to pay whatever salary

inent," said

y looked

ertinent!" Miss

e woman. "It's very stupid of me," he said;

My address, without first consulting Me. Have I made myself understoo

relief, visible in his brightening face, when he discovered that the lady of

f understood?" Mis

afraid I must own that the advertisement h

to see why," Miss

in the manner in which the writer expresses herself. She seems to be singularly modest on the subject of

young lady," the door was opene

There was nothing to appeal to his admiration (by way of his senses) in the pale, worn young creature who stood near the door, resigned beforehand to whatever reception she might meet with. The poor teac

by coming here?" M

tone in which the mistress had spoken had

his gentleman desires to see me o

Miss Westerfield! how dare you beg for employ

ad done, till I knew whether my adv

y fortitude very remarkable in any girl - and especially in a girl whose face revealed a sensitive nature. L

ered by letter. My only excuse is that I have no time to arrange for an interview, in Lond

looking at him. Did

d its first hard lesson under her mother's neglect - which had endured, in after-years, the daily persecution that heartless companionship so well knows how to inflict - failed to sustain her, when one kind look from a stranger poured its balm int

and pointed to the door. "Are you well

ween wonder and disgust. "Good God, what has she do

's forehead developed new wrinkles. To o

self provoked by exasperating circumstances, and to fly into a passion. If the lady flies into a passion on her side, he may rely on it that her faults are more than balanced by her good qualities.

Linley in the wrong, before she took th

t I don't allow my house to be made an office for the engagement of gove

rse that was open to

d him; "you shall hear from me." Having said this, he made his parting bow to the schoolmistress. Miss Wigger held up a

n they leave me." A faint smell of soap made itself felt in the room; the maid appeared, wiping h

ervant's hand. "I am going to write to Miss Westerfi

t I

uspicion of the value which his winning manner, his kind brown eyes, and his sunny smile had conferred

that he passed, he stopped the

, if they are in London, or the name of any friend with whom I can arrange to give you a trial as governess to my little girl? I am waiting your answer in the neighborhood. If

ate view of half-a-crown, set off at a

nerous offer. Will you help me to bear my disappointment, permitting me to see you, for a few minutes only, at your hotel? Indeed, indeed, sir, I am not forgetful of what I o

esterfield announced that sh