nothing; there was now no longer that reason for doing so, but there was a more urgent one, the hope of being able to earn her own livelihood, and very glad she was, when, according to her uncle's promise, the tuner arrived. She sent too for her books, of which she had a good supply, for Miss Lawrence had furnished her with all requisites for learning, and she set to work in earnest to improve herself. Mrs. Bennet had often lately been talking of the necessity of sending little Nanny to school, and it occurred to Helen that she might make herself useful to her aunt, and, at the same time, lighten her own sense of dependence, by undertaking to teach her little girl so long as she remained at Stoke.

The proposal met with ready acquiescence from both the parents, and Helen, as Nanny's instructress, gained her first experience as a teacher. It did not tend to diminish her original dislike to the idea of going out as a governess; but, though willing to exert herself, she was still suffering from the shock her nerves had so recently sustained, and her spirits were much depressed. Under her circumstances this was not surprising; truly her prospects were not very cheering.

Mr. Grey, who had rescued her from a watery grave, watched her, and prescribed for her most kindly as a friend, for he would not

hear of payment, and by degrees her health improved.

In addition to her studies and her employment as Nanny's teacher, she had also other and still more important occupation for her thoughts. There was to be a confirmation early in September; her two cousins, Mary and Tom, were preparing for it; she was to have been confirmed with the young ladies at Belvoir House; and, contenting herself with the idea, that when she returned to school she could soon learn, if she did not already know, as much as was necessary to secure her ticket, she had hitherto declined attending the lectures which were given twice a week at Stoke for the instruction of the candidates; but now that her stay at the farm was to be indefinitely prolonged, she willingly accompanied her cousins, and most beneficial to her was the sound, practical, religious instruction she received, both public and private, coming, as it did, at a time when her heart was softened, and prepared to receive it, by the trials she had lately gone through.

CHAPTER VII.

"Oh happy is the man who hears
Instruction's warning voice;
And who celestial wisdom makes
His early, only choice:

"For she has treasures greater far
Than east or west unfold;

And her reward is more secure
Than is the gain of gold."

LOGAN.

The few bright remaining weeks of summer glided away all things went on as usual at the farm; the harvest was gathered in; and at last came the confirmation day. Helen drove away the thoughts which at first would intrude themselves, even during the solemn service, when she saw the bright array of young ladies from Belvoir House, among whom she used to be numbered. She had mistrusted herself from the first, and would have been very glad if the confirmation had been held elsewhere than at Stenham; however, she steadily resisted the painful feeling of wounded pride, and as she went up to

the altar in company with her kind cousin Mary, and her sister Jane, she succeeded in fixing her mind on the duty in which she was engaged, and she heeded not that the eyes of her former schoolfellows were upon her, doubtless observant of the marked change in their relative situations.

Still, when all was over, she could not help rejoicing that they were to go back at once to Stoke, instead of dining at her father's, as they had all been invited to do. She was glad to get out of the town, it was full of people from the neighbourhood, many of whom might recognise her, having often seen her at the Grange; and the conviction forced itself upon her that in future she could have little pleasure in meeting any of her former acquaintances-but she kept such thoughts to herself.

Not long after this, Mary came into the parlour just as little Nanny, her lessons being over, was running joyfully away.

"I wonder, Helen," she began, "whether you will like what I am come to talk to you about." "What is it? do not puzzle me, Mary dear."

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Why Kitty Thomas has just been here, wanting to know if you would like to go to the Dell, as day governess twice a week."

Helen sat with downcast eyes, and her cousin continued" Her mother says she must teach her two younger sisters, and though she has been

at school so long she cannot get on without help; she thinks if there was somebody to direct the lessons she could see that the children learned them properly, and her mother said if she could find anybody that would come she might, just for a beginning, so she called to see if

like it."

you would "I suppose I must like it; beggars cannot be choosers," said Helen, bitterly.

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Nay now, dear Nelly, do not look so vexed, there is no harm done; I told her I would ask you, and let her know to-morrow or next day." There was no reply, the proposal was really too intolerable; and to come from Mary, too, who had hitherto been so considerate about her feelings on such subjects!

Kitty Thomas was the daughter of a neighbouring farmer, who lived about two miles distant; he and his wife were good sort of people, but certainly no one but Mary would have imagined that a girl brought up as Helen had been, could be a fitting instructress for their children.

"What does my aunt say to it?" she said, after a long pause, still without raising her eyes. "She knows nothing about it; I have not told her," answered Mary, who began to think she might possibly have been rather too busy. Helen put down the work she had in her hand, and went straight to Mrs. Bennet, who was in the poultry yard.