her--that we were still secured a home at least." And her
voice faltered; for she could not yet speak that name without tears, and
the harshness of their situation was forced upon her painfully.

"Well, leave him out of the question. Something must be done. Creditors
are at your very door; harpies that will not be satisfied so long as you
are living on Wilton carpets and dining with silver that has never yet
been paid for."

Mrs. Burton instinctively turned towards her daughter, as if she could
in reality suggest some plan by which everything could readily be
arranged. She felt revived by the quick decision of Lucy's tone and
manner.

"I have no plans. I can scarcely think as yet," she said, passing her
hand hurriedly across her brow; "but to-morrow: at least we can be in
peace until then. Only one thing I am certain of, that, so long as I
have health and strength, my mother and brothers shall not be dependent
on any one."

"Those hands work, indeed!" returned Mr. William Burton, glancing almost
contemptuously on the white fingers locked so resolutely together, on
which sparkled a ring of great value, the betrothed gift of her lover.
"Go to Allan with your resolution, and see what he will say. Come, come
now, don't be obstinate and foolish, Lucy. You are poor George's child,
and as like him as you can be. I mustn't get vexed with you. I know it's
a great shock. I feel it so myself; but we must be brave and put up with
trouble we can't help."

It was with a swelling heart, and oftentimes gushes of bitter tears,
that Lucy trod the floor of her room all that long afternoon, while her
mother received, in the parlor below, visits of condolence from friends
and acquaintances, who came, some because custom required it, and others
because they had suffered and sorrowed, and knew how welcome a kindly
sympathy had been in their affliction. The children, Grace and Willie,
sat reading together with their arms about each other until the twilight
came, and they began to wonder what made sister stay away alone so long,
and finally deputed George to go "very softly" and see if she would not
come down to tea, "as Doctor Howard was still talking to mamma, and they
were very lonely."

"Come in," said Lucy, as she recognized her brother's voice; and then
she made him sit down beside her, and led him to talk of their future
life and what he had intended to accomplish. It had been in the boy's
mind all day, and he spoke very earnestly