not see distinctly by lamp light; the omnibus stopped, the door was opened, and the welcome words, "This is Marlborough Buildings, miss," greeted her ears.

Mrs. Allan Patterson had intended that Helen should come to the Rectory for this first night, and be introduced by her to her mother-in-law the next morning after breakfast, but, to her great annoyance, the old lady had a decided objection to this plan, she chose that Helen should come to her at once, then she should soon see what she was like. Now it must not be supposed that Mrs. Allan felt quite easy in her own mind, as to how Helen might comport herself in her new situation; she could not help knowing that in former days, indulged and humoured, as she had been, it would not have suited her at all; but she also knew that she had gone through some severe training since then; she had made many inquiries about her, before writing to Mrs. Lester, the answers to which had been satisfactory; she had therefore good hope that the present plan might answer, and the poor girl had been so unfeelingly discarded by her sister, or rather by Mr. Greaves on her behalf, that she was very desirous to be of service to her, at any rate it was worth the trial.

CHAPTER VIII.

"Il ne faut pas imprudemment
S'affliger sur les apparences;

Car le ciel trompe aussi souvent
Nos craintes que nos esperances."

SIMONEAU.

Helen's heart beat with anxiety as she followed the page, who had opened the door, into the presence of his mistress; the house seemed a modern one, though built before the idea was discarded that a sitting-room on either side of the hall door was the most desirable arrangement; into the left hand room she was shown, the table was spread as for tea, an elderly lady in an old fashioned round cap and black dress, was seated in an easy chair by the fire, which blazed cheerfully; she was looking towards the door as the page announced "Miss Lester," and when Helen entered, surveyed her from head to foot, saying, quietly, "So you are Helen Lester. You look tired and pale enough; come to the fire, child."

Helen had never felt so daunted in her life. "Thank you, ma'am," she said, as she came forward.

Mrs. Patterson rang the bell twice distinctly, and a respectable looking maid servant made her appearance. "Turner, show Miss Lester her room, that she may take off her things, and come down to tea; and then come and make it yourself, for I am quite tired of waiting."

There was no answer in words, but Turner indicated to Helen by a gesture that she was to follow her; in silence they proceeded upstairs to a nicely furnished bedroom, where Turner put the candle on the dressing-table, and, still without saying a word, left the room. "Surely she is not dumb," thought Helen to herself. In one sense Turner was dumb, she was too angry to speak; that her mistress should need a companion was quite beyond her comprehension; she could see to read very well with spectacles, and as to work, she had better keep to her knitting, she could want nobody to put that ready for her; but to be sure Mrs. Patterson always would have her own way. Now that the interloper was actually in the house she could hardly refrain from expressing her indignation; however, she well knew her mistress was not to be trifled with, so she made the tea, as she had carried the candle upstairs, in silence: she was leaving the room as Helen re-entered, and advanced timidly towards the table.

"In future you will have to make the tea yourself, child, but I was tired of waiting," said Mrs. Patterson; "now sit down and pour it out."

Helen obeyed, she poured out the tea, and supplied the old lady with the various eatables on the table; it was a very substantial meal.

"Take care of yourself, I am sure you must be hungry, and glad of something warm too, I should think, so don't be shy about it."

Helen might well feel a little shy, for she could not help knowing that Mrs. Patterson's eyes were closely watching her; she endeavoured to feel as little conscious as possible, and proceeded in her occupation of tea making, in which she acquitted herself well; it was by no means new to her, for it had always been Miss Lawrence's part to preside both at breakfast and tea, and Helen had often assisted her.

"Are you sure you have eaten enough?" asked Mrs. Patterson, when, having finished her own tea, she saw that her companion, too, had done. "Quite enough, thank you, ma'am, I had some sandwiches in the middle of the day."

"Then now your turn is come, Joe," said Mrs. Patterson, addressing the large, sleek, tabby cat that lay basking on the rug. He rose at the sound of her voice, and, having yawned, stretched, put out his claws, and sheathed them again, sat down opposite to his mistress. "Joe has a saucer of milk morning and evening, pour

it out and give it him; you must make friends with Joe; you are not silly enough to be afraid of a cat I hope."

66

No, indeed, ma'am," answered Helen, with more animation than she had yet shown, "I like them very much, and this is a great beauty."

"Yes, I brought him with me, they have no such cats about here; I took pains to keep up the breed at Enderby, but Joe is the only one left." The bell was rung, the table some books and work laid upon it.

it.

you are accustomed to read aloud? look very strong. Mrs. Patterson

cleared, and
"I
"I suppose

You do not

pushed the

lamp aside, and adjusted her spectacles, to have a better view of her companion.

"Yes, ma'am, I am quite used to reading out, and my health is very good."

"Then you have great cause to be thankful, I can tell you that; I don't mean you to read tonight, because you are tired, but if you want something to do, and you look rather at a loss, you may wind some cotton, you will find some in that basket."

Helen was glad to be employed in any way, especially in such an easy task as winding coarse cotton. Easy as it was, the feeling that those spectacled eyes were upon her, which feeling lasted long after they were otherwise employed, made her nervous, and she dropped her ball more than once before the skein was finished. No