ent
of another for its fault. I know you meant kindly; but, my love, you
should make no unnecessary sacrifices. Providence will bring to you
many opportunities of giving up your wishes, and of bearing a great
deal for others, but it must never be done at the sacrifice of truth.'

"Clemence was much impressed with what I said to her; and Arnauld, too,
seemed to feel that it would have been mean to have taken advantage of
his sister's mistaken generosity. I labour to make them think for
themselves, for I often fear that my life will not be spared to guide
them much longer. When you come again to France, bring with you your
little girls. I have spoken to my children about them, and they are
eager to become acquainted with them."

At the end of this letter was written, in Mr. Hogarth's hand-writing,
"Died, October 14th, 18-," shortly after the date of the letter.

"I wish," said Jane, "that my uncle had shown me these letters; but I
suppose there are some things that one cannot tell to another person."

"There is no encouragement here to induce me to make inquiries about my
mother," said Francis. "I think, for the present, I will let the matter
rest."

Chapter VII.

Up And Down

When Jane had spoken of 20,000 pounds each, as the probable fortune of
herself and her sister, if their uncle had made his will in their
favour, she rather under than over estimated the value of Mr. Hogarth's
property. She had expected that many legacies to old servants and
bequests to several charitable institutions might have been left, and
there still would have been that handsome sum for his adopted children.
Francis Hogarth found that he had come into possession of a compact
little estate in a very fine part of the country, a small part of which
estate had been farmed by the proprietor, who had tried various
experiments on it with various success. There was also money invested
in the funds, and money laid out in railway shares, as well as a
considerable sum in the bank for any present necessity, or to be spent
in the improvement of the property.

Elsie had expressed a doubt of her cousin's getting into society; but
there appeared to be no likelihood of any of the country gentry looking
down on the new laird of Cross Hall. The visiting acquaintance of
people of sufficient standing in and about Swinton had consisted of
twenty-four marriageable ladies and only four marriageable gentlemen,
even including William Dalzell, who was k