seated,
busily engaged in that most delightful of occupations, gossiping, for
which they found ample material, as guest after guest paid their
respects to the mistress of the dwelling.

"Only look," said the elderly lady, addressing her companion, as Arthur
crossed the room, to speak to Agnes; "just look, what a melancholy
appearance Mr. Bernard wears. I wonder where his sister is to-night?"

"I heard Mr. Clifford, who you know is a visitor there, say that she had
a violent toothache, and his mother, fearing she would feel lonely, had
remained at home with her."

"Mr. Clifford's mother! You surely do not mean that that old lady, Mrs.
Cartwright, who accompanied the Bernards on their return from France, is
the mother of that fine looking young man?"

"Yes, indeed, his is quite a romantic history."

"Oh, I should like to hear it of all things. Do oblige me by narrating
it, will you? You are so intimate with the Bernards, that you have an
opportunity of hearing everything."

The younger lady's face wore a gratified expression, for it was very
pleasant to learn, whatever the facts of the matter really were, that
others believed her on terms of close intimacy with a family, whose
high standing in the community had never been disputed; and she now
gladly complied with the request, certain that it would afford to her
friend confirmation of her previously expressed opinion, "strong as Holy
Writ."

"You must know, then," she commenced, "that when Ella was visiting the
South of France for the benefit of her health, (for I told Mr. Bernard,
again and again, before they left, that nothing but change of air would
restore her,) she met with this Mrs. Cartwright, whose own home was in
America, but who was then on a visit to a relative. They became quite
intimate in a short time, and Ella, on her return to B----, persuaded
Mrs. Cartwright to accompany them, and to spend some time with them.

"A widow and childless, as she then supposed, and having no near kin to
bind her to her home, she accepted Ellen's invitation, and, accordingly,
they all returned together.

"But this old lady, it appears, had a son, the child of a previous
marriage,--for she has buried two husbands,--who, some five years ago,
sailed on some distant voyage, I do not exactly know what his
destination. However, no tidings were ever received of the vessel having
reached the desired port, and, of course, Mrs. Cartwright, who Ella told
me was exceedingly atta