and begs to inform him of a
circumstance of which she believes he was ignorant when he
wrote the letter with which she has been favoured; namely,
that provision to the amount of L50 was left for the
unfortunate young person who is the subject of Mr Benson's
letter. This sum is in the hands of Mrs Morgan, as well as
a note from Mrs Bellingham to the miserable girl, in which
she proposes to procure her admission into the Fordham
Penitentiary, the best place for such a character, as by
this profligate action she has forfeited the only friend
remaining to her in the world. This proposition, Mrs
Bellingham repeats; and they are the young woman's best
friends who most urge her to comply with the course now
pointed out.

"Take care Mr Bellingham hears nothing of this Mr Benson's note,"
said Mrs Bellingham, as she delivered the answer to her maid; "he is
so sensitive just now that it would annoy him sadly, I am sure."

CHAPTER XI

Thurstan and Faith Benson

You have now seen the note which was delivered into Mr Benson's
hands, as the cool shades of evening stole over the glowing summer
sky. When he had read it, he again prepared to write a few hasty
lines before the post went out. The post-boy was even now sounding
his horn through the village as a signal for letters to be ready; and
it was well that Mr Benson, in his long morning's meditation, had
decided upon the course to be pursued, in case of such an answer as
that which he had received from Mrs Bellingham. His present note was
as follows:

DEAR FAITH,--You must come to this place directly, where I
earnestly desire you and your advice. I am well myself, so
do not be alarmed. I have no time for explanation, but I
am sure you will not refuse me; let me trust that I shall
see you on Saturday at the latest. You know the mode by
which I came; it is the best for expedition and cheapness.
Dear Faith, do not fail me.

Your affectionate brother,

THURSTAN BENSON.

P.S.--I am afraid the money I left may be running short.
Do not let this stop you. Take my Facciolati to Johnson's,
he will advance upon it; it is the third row, bottom
shelf. Only come.

When this letter was despatched he had done all he could; and the
next two days passed like a long monotonous dream of watching,
thought, and care, undisturbed by any event, hardly by the change
from day to night, which, now the ha