h. Shortly after this event Mr Hamilton died suddenly. This was
a great blow to the housekeeper, for she was much attached to her old
master, who had allowed her to keep her little grandson beside her under
his roof. The sister survived her brother about five years. After her
death the housekeeper returned to her old hut, where she has ever since
lived on the interest of a small legacy left her by her old master.
Little Willie, or wee Wullie, as she used to call him, was the light of
old Moggy's eyes, and the joy of her heart. She idolised and would have
spoiled him, had that been possible; but the child was of a naturally
sweet disposition, and would not spoil. He was extremely amiable and
gentle, yet bold as a young lion, and full of fun. I do not wonder that
poor old Moggy was both proud and fond of him in an extraordinary
degree. The blow of his removal well-nigh withered her up, body and
soul--"

"He died?" said Lucy, looking up at Flora with tearful eyes.

"No, he did not: perhaps it would have been better if the poor child
_had_ died; you shall hear. When Willie was six years old a gang of
gypsies passed through this hamlet, and, taking up their abode on the
common, remained for some time. They were a wild, dangerous set, and
became such a nuisance that the inhabitants at last took the law into
their own hands, and drove them away. Just before this occurred little
Willie disappeared. Search was made for him everywhere, but in vain.
The gypsies were suspected, and their huts examined. Suspicion fell
chiefly on one man, a stout ill-favoured fellow, with an ugly squint and
a broken nose; but nothing could be proved either against him or the
others, except that, at the time of the child's disappearance, this man
was absent from the camp. From that day to this, dear little Willie has
never been heard of.

"At first, the poor old grandmother went about almost mad with despair
and anxiety, but, as years passed by, she settled down into the moping
old creature you have seen her. It is five years since that event.
Willie will be eleven years old now, if alive; but, alas! I fear he
must be dead."

"What a sad, sad tale!" said Lucy. "I suppose it must be because our
Jacky is about the age that Willie was when he was stolen, that the poor
woman has evinced such a fondness for him."

"Possibly; and, now I think of it, there is a good deal of resemblance
between the two, especially about the hair and eyes