pend either his time or his money in pursuit of her. Had he been aware
of her sudden change of fortune, he might have acted differently.

"We arrived in London, took possession of the property, which was all in
the funds; and then, fearing my father might gain information of her
wealth, my mother set off for France, taking me with her. There I
passed the happiest days of my life; my mother spared no pains, and went
to considerable expense in my education. The best masters were provided
for me in singing, dancing, and music; and so much did I profit by their
instruction, that I was very soon considered a pretty specimen of my
countrywomen, and much noticed accordingly.

"From France we went to Italy, where we remained two years, and where my
vocal education was completed. My poor mother lived all this time on
the principal of her fortune, concluding it would last for ever. At
last she was taken ill of a fever, and died. This was about a year ago,
when I was only sixteen. Delirious many days before her death, she
could give me no instructions as to my future conduct, or where to apply
for resources. I happened, however, to know her banker in London, and
wrote to him immediately; in answer, he informed me that a balance of
forty pounds was all that remained in his hands.

"I believe he cheated me, but I could not help it. My spirits were not
depressed at this news; I sold all the furniture; paid the little debts
to the tradespeople, and, with nine pounds in my pocket, took my place
in the diligence, and set off for London, where I arrived without
accident. I read in the newspaper, at the inn, that a provincial
company was in want of a young actress for genteel comedy. My mother's
original passion for the stage never left her; and, during our stay in
France, we amused ourselves with _la petite comedie_, in which I always
took a part.

"Without resources, I thought a precarious mode of obtaining a
livelihood was better than a vicious one, and determined to try my
fortune on the stage: so I ordered a hack, and drove to the office
indicated. I felt a degree of comfort when I discovered that my father
was the advertising manager, although I was certain he would never
recognise me. I was engaged by the agent, the bargain was approved of,
and in a day or two after, was ordered to a country town some miles from
the metropolis.

"I arrived; my father did not know me, nor did I wish that he should, as
I did not int