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 to check her triumph by reproof; ere I could contract my brows to a frown she had become serious, and almost mournful-looking.

"Thank you, sir," said she, rising; there was gratitude both in her voice and in the look with which she accompanied it. It was time indeed for our conference to terminate, for, when I glanced around, behold all the boarders (the day-scholars had departed) were congregated within a yard or two of my desk, and stood staring with eyes and mouths wide open; the three maîtresses formed a whispering knot in one corner, and, close at my elbow, was the directress, sitting on a low chair, calmly clipping the tassels of her finished purse.