ary on finding
herself at the head of affairs. Ah, these young people--these young
people! But I will not blame her, for a great deal was due to the
teachings of that training institution. I noticed the change in her
directly. It did so put me in mind of young Penton, when he received
his commission of ensign in the 200th Foot. He had just the same short,
sharp, haughty way that my Hazel assumed, poor child! Ah, well! we have
nearly got to the end of the school teaching, and it will be a lesson
for us all. It was against my wishes that she took it up--that I will
say; and it has been very hard upon me to bring me down to the
companionship of such a woman as Mrs Chute. I wish I had never seen
her, for I should never have thought of using those school pence if it
had not been for her."

Mrs Thorne smoothed down her black silk apron, and sat thinking for
some time before exclaiming--

"Yes, I will write a cheque for the amount and send it in a note, with
my compliments, to Mr Lambent. It will be the most ladylike way of
proceeding. The children shall put on their best hats and take it up.
It will be better than trusting the money to the school children or the
post. I will do it at once."

The poor, weak woman smiled with satisfaction as she took out the thin
oblong book that had been sent to her that morning, and wrote out a
cheque for the amount due for the children's school pence, carefully
blotting and folding it, and placing it in a sheet of note-paper
inscribed, "With Mrs Thorne's compliments."

"Of course it ought to go to Mr Piper; but I shall send it to the
vicar, and he must pay it himself. Good gracious!"

She had just directed the envelope to the Reverend Henry Lambent, when
she saw him pass the window; and as she sat listening, her heart beating
heavily the while, there was a gentle tap at the door, which was
standing open, and the vicar's voice said softly--"May I come in?"

"Yes; I--that is--Yes, pray come--in, Mr Lambent; but if you have
called on account of your sisters' visit to me this morning, I--"

"My visit was to you alone, Mrs Thorne," said the vicar gravely.

"But I must protest against any such visits as your sisters'!"

"My dear Mrs Thorne," said the vicar sadly, "I have come to you, a lady
who has known great trouble, as a friend. My dear madam, I have a very
painful communication to make. Your daughter--"

"Not worse, Mr Lambent?" cried Mrs Thorne piteously. "Don't say