"But it is a very odd thing, I do not know any one fit to be Neville's nurse."

"Yes, you do, you must, my Lord said so." With that, I could learn no more. "The Lady" -could not remember more.

"I was so disappointed to-day by the post." "Why?"

"Oh! I thought certainly I should receive a letter to-day, asking me for the character of those two odious wretches. I have it by me, written in readiness. I thought it right to do it, while all the facts remained on my mind.—What! a point of fourteen! a sequence from nine to the ace. Dear me ! don't let us play this hand. I will throw mine down, if you will, and begin a new deal."

"Suppose I play a little on the piano; we have had no music lately."

"Yes, do, and while you are playing, I will read over the two characters, and see if they are sufficiently strong. I have often noticed music is a great promoter of thought.'

I played softly, with two intentions, one to soften down the irritable language of the characters. The other was fulfilled, "the Lady" dozed.

On Tuesday, we expected the new nurse. The moment she arrived, it was ordered that she should be shewn into "the Lady."

"I shall see at a glance, whether she at all resembles one of those insolent creatures. Though I allow my Lord a great deal of his own way, yet I cannot have impertinent creatures about me, Uriel."

"I should think he will be very careful this time."

"He will do well to be so-in fact, I should not at all wonder, if I sent her out of the house, as soon as I see her. Should you?"

"Yes, I should, very much. People often prove so different when you know them."

"Very true; who would have supposed, now, that would have turned out what you are, you one of the nicest little things.”

"But I hope you did not ever think me the contrary of nice,-"

"No, no, how droll you are. No, I always fancied you. In fact, I am much happier since I feel so much better, more lively, you came. you know. My Lord is very amiable and good, but we have not ideas in common. He cannot

comprehend mine, and no refined woman, I have heard one of my governesses say, can be expected, or indeed ought to understand a man."

"Have you many neighbours about here?" "Oh yes, many, but it is so fatiguing returning their visits. Besides, they are not all persons with whom I can associate. If any one is entitled to choose her companions, and those fitted to be with her, I am."

"The Lady" was emerging from her lethargic habits. Indeed she was becoming thinner, and would even take a few turns on her beautiful terrace, with some pleasure, and no pain.

The excitement of the nurse's business had enlivened her greatly. But a fear was beginning to rise. It certainly was a question, whether the lethargic state was not the safest.

It was hardly possible to say, in her present state of liveliness, if some of us around her might not offend inadvertently. There was no doubt as to our fate, innocent or not.

CHAPTER VI.

"Pitch thy behaviour low, thy projects high:
So shalt thou humble, and magnanimous be.
Sink not in spirit; who aimeth at the sky
Shoots higher much than he that means a tree.
A grain of glory, mixed with humbleness,
Cures both a fever, and lethargic-ness."

HERBERT.

I WAS singing my boy to sleep, when the new nurse arrived, who, according to orders, was shewn into "the Lady" at once.

She is very young, and seems much alarmed, Miss," said Mrs. Pinmaurice

"Very well," I answered, a little indifferent as to hearing more.

"Will you see her, Miss Offley?"

Then re

"No, not unless she wishes it." membering "the Lady's" magnificent manner, I thought if the new comer was young and timid, she might be overawed into effectual dismay. So I added, "If she likes, I will come and see her."

In the course of a quarter of an hour, I was told she waited my leisure, and I went into the nursery.

A convulsive sob smote upon my heart, as I entered and shut the door, so I went up to her, and putting my hand upon her shoulder, said,

"Do not be down-hearted, we will try to make you happy."

'Oh, Miss Nellie, Miss Nellie, and didn't know it was me coming?"

you

And drawing her forth to the light, I discovered the tearful rosy face of Phebe.

My dear, dear Phebe," said I, kissing her heartily, "what good merciful fairy sent you here."

"Then you love me still? Oh, I thought, to be sure, you would come and meet me a' the

door; and when I seed rows and rows of strange