of religion should be left to a riper age. After many
endearments, and much good advice, that I thought most beautiful, from
the tenderness of tone in which it was given, I requested the lady, with
all my powers of entreaty, and amidst a shower of kisses, to take me
home to my mother.

"Alas! my dear boy," was the reply, "Mrs Brandon is not your mother."

"Well, I couldn't believe that before--never mind--I love her just as
well. But who is my mother? If you were not so pretty, and so fine, I
would ask you to be my mother; all the other boys have got a mother, and
a father too."

The lady caught me to her bosom, and kissing me amidst her tears, said,
"Ralph, I will be your mother, though you must only look upon me as your
godmamma."

"Oh, I'm so glad of that! and what shall I call you?"

"Mamma, my dear child."

"Well, mamma, won't you take me home? I don't mean now, but at the
holidays, when all the others go to their mammas? I'll be so good.
Won't you, mamma?"

"Come here, Ralph. I was wrong. You must not call me mamma, I can't
bear it. I was never a mother to you, my poor boy. I cannot have you
home. By-and-by, perhaps. Do not think about me too much, and do not
think that you are not loved. Oh! you are loved, very much indeed; but
now you must make your schoolfellows love you. I have told Mr Root to
allow you sixpence a week, and there are eight shillings for you, and a
box of playthings, in the hall, and a large cake in the box; lend the
playthings, and share the cake. Now, my dear boy, I must leave you. Do
not think that I am your mother, but your very good friend. Now, may
God bless you and watch over you. Keep up your spirits, and remember
that you are cared for, and loved--O, how fondly loved!"

With a fervent blessing, and an equally fervent embrace, she parted from
me; and, when I looked round and found that she had gone from the room,
I actually experienced the sensation as if the light of the sun had been
suddenly with drawn, and that I walked forth in twilight.

When I went up melancholy to my bed, and crept sorrowfully under the
clothes, I felt a protection round me in that haunted chamber, in the
very fact of having again seen her. This house, that had now been
converted into a large school, had formerly been one of the suburban
palaces of Queen Elizabeth; it was very spacious and rambling; some of
the rooms had been modernised, and some remained as they had been for
centurie