meet with a specimen or two of genuine unselfish people; for I have some
important work to do here, and I shall stand in need of truly unselfish
helpers. Can you name me one or two?"

"Well, sir, if you mean by unselfish persons those who really work for
God's glory and not their own, I freely admit that they are, and I
suppose always must be, comparatively rare."

"That is exactly what I _do_ mean, my dear young lady; can you help me
to find a few such unselfish workers in your own rank of life, and of
your own sex?"

His companion was silent for a few moments, then she said slowly and
timidly, "I judge, dear sir, from the tone of your questions that you
are a follower of that Saviour who has set us the only perfect example
of unselfishness."

"I trust so, my young friend," was the other's reply; "I wish at least
to be so. Well, I see we have only a few more steps to bring us to your
aunt's lodge. We shall meet again, I have no doubt, before long; and
perhaps when we do I shall have more to say to you on the same subject.
Farewell, and thank you." And with a courteous salutation he parted
from her.

CHAPTER TWO.

SETTLING DOWN.

Restoration and improvement went on vigorously at Riverton Park. The
front of the house soon lost its careworn appearance; the walks laid
aside their weeds, and shone with a lively surface of fresh gravel; the
shutters ceased to exclude the daylight; while painters and paperers,
masons and carpenters, decorators and upholsterers soon brought the
interior of the dwelling into a becoming state of beauty, order, and
comfort.

And now the new proprietor was looked for with anxious expectation. His
name had already got abroad, and all the gentry round were prepared to
welcome Colonel Dawson when he should take possession of his newly
acquired property. The colonel was an old retired officer, who had
spent many years since leaving the army in one or more of the colonies.
And now he was come home again, and intended to pass the rest of his
days at Riverton. This was all that report could confidently affirm at
present.

Was he an old bachelor or married? And if the latter, was his wife
still living, and was there any family? Very conflicting rumours got
abroad on this subject, but very little satisfaction came of them. All
that could conclusively be gathered was that Park House was to have a
lady inhabitant as well as the colonel; but that only a portion of the
house was t