Year: 1869

why people were so shy Of them at first
when they came to the Green.


81 begin to perceive now why this letter
should be temptation to you," said
''you think Mr.. Merridew would not like"


80, it is not that" she said. :" Poor
Charles don't think he would mind. The
world is so hard, and one makes so little
head against it. No, it is because of Mrs.
Babington. heard she lost all her money
some years ago, and was dependent ON her
son. And what can she do on hundred a
year? A hundred year! Only think of
it, for an old lady always accustomed to
have her own way. 1t is horribly unjust,
you know, to take it from her, his mother.
who was always so good to him; and to
give it to me, whom he has not seen for
nearly twenty years, and who gave him
sore heart when he did know me. could
not take advantage of it. 1t is great
temptation, but it would be great sin.
And that is why" she added, with sudden
flush on her face, looking at me, d" should
rather-manage it myself-under cover Of
you,-and-not let Charles know"


She looked at me, and held me with her
eye, demanding of me that should under
stand her, and yet defying me to think any
the worse OF Charles She was afraid of
her husband, afraid that he would clutch
at the money without any consideration of
the wrong,-afraid to trust him with the
decision. She would have me understand
her without words, and yet she would not
huve me blame Mr.. Merridew. She insis-
ted on the one and defied me to the other:
an inconsistent, unreasonable woman! But
| did my best to look as If l saw, and yet
did not see.


"Then you want to see the lawyers p
said.


81 want to see Mrs. BabiDgton," was her
answer. 81 must go to them aud explain.
They are proud people, and probably would
resist,-or they may be otherwise provided
for If that was the case / should not hest
tate to take it. o Mrs. Musgrave, when 1
look at all the children, and Janet there
murmuring and grumbling, don't you think
it wrings my heart TO put away this chance
of comfort? And poor Charles working
| himself out. But it could not bring bless
ing. 1t would bring curse; l cannot take
the bread out Of the mouth of the old wo-
man who was good to me, even to put it into
that of my own child"


| And here two tears fell out of Mrs. Merri-
dew's eyes. AT her age people do not weep
abundanly. She gave little start as they
fell, and brushed them off her dress, with,
don't doubt, sensation of shame. She to
cry like baby, who had so much to do
Size left me shortly after, with an engage
mcnt to meet at the station for the twelve
o'clock train next day. | was going to town
on business, and bad asked her to go with
me, this was what was to be SAID to all the
world. explained myself elaborately that
very evening to Mrs. Spencer and Lady Isa-
bella, when met them taking their wall,
after dinner


"Mrs. Merridew is so kind as to go with
me-" said "she knows SO much more
about business than do" And made ur
my mind that | would 60 to the Bank and
leave my book to be made up, that it NIGH
not be quite untrue.


!" Fancy Mrs. Musgrave having any bust
ncss!" said Lady Isabella. Why dom
you write to some man, and make him dc
it, instead Of all the trouble of going tC
town y


" But Mrs. Merridew is going with me
my DEAR, said and nobody doubted tina
the barrister's wife, with SO much experience
as she had, and so many things to do,woult
be an efficient help to me in my little affairs


TTo BE CONTINUED.