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422 heard—to have it all to give, when you were so sure that you were loved while you yet had nothing."

"Yes, I was sure," and she wiped the sweet tears from her eyes as she remembered a certain day when a certain youth had come to her, claiming all kinds of privileges in a very determined manner. She had been no heiress then. "Yes, I was sure. But now with you, dear, you can't make yourself poor again. If you can trust no one—"

"I can. I can trust him. As regards that, I do trust him altogether. But how can I tell that he would care for me?"

"Do you not know that he likes you?"

"Ah! yes; and so he does Lady Scatcherd."

"Miss Dunstable!"

"And why not Lady Scatcherd as well as me? We are of the same kind—come from the same class."

"Not quite that, I think."

"Yes, from the same class, only I have managed to poke myself up among dukes and duchesses, whereas she has been content to remain where God placed her. Where I beat her in art, she beats me in nature."

"You know you are talking nonsense."

"I think that we are both doing that—absolute nonsense, such as school-girls of eighteen talk to each other. But there is a relief in it, is there not? It would be a terrible cur ecurse [sic] to have to talk sense always. Well, that's done; and now let us go out."

Mrs. Gresham was sure after this that Miss Dunstable would be a consenting party to the little arrangement which she contemplated. But of that she had felt but little doubt for some considerable time past. The difficulty lay on the other side, and all that she had as yet done was to convince herself that she would be safe in assuring her uncle of success if he could be induced to take the enterprise in hand. He was to come to Boxall Hill that evening, and to remain there for a day or two. If any thing could be done in the matter, now would be the time for doing it. So at least thought Mrs. Gresham.

The doctor did come, and did remain for the allotted time at Boxall Hill; but when he left Mrs. Gresham had not been successful. Indeed, he did not seem to enjoy his visit as was usual with him, and there was very little of that pleasant friendly intercourse which for some time past