Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/241

Rh for Mrs. Beaumont that, accustomed to depend wholly on Fanny, she took every thing for granted. When once used to their present mode of life, she supposed, as she had done of their former prosperity, that it would go on so always. She had no foresight. But Fanny's anxiety increased every hour. For the first time she felt utterly depressed, she saw no possible means of earning even the most miserable pittance. She envied the labourers she saw working in the fields. Night after night, she buried her face in her sleepless pillow, lest her sister should perceive her tears.

One day Edith had been to the old manor house, and was returning slowly up the steep hill which led to their village, when she was overtaken by a gentleman, who had for some minutes past been calling to her to learn his way. The light touch on her shoulder drew her attention in a minute. She startled, and, while a beautiful colour came into her face, fixed her dark eyes on his face, and perceived by the movement of his