y found, to her
amazement, that, in twenty years, she had not only educated her family,
but saved enough to make her entirely comfortable. This conversation
might have been forgotten, had not a necessity for exertion been forced
so suddenly upon her; and knowing, from the salaries of her own
teachers, that she could not hope to do more than maintain herself in
that way, Mrs. Hill's success flashed upon her mind as an encouraging
precedent.

At first, she scarcely counted the cost, it is true. She forgot that it
would make an entire change in her social position, strange as it may
seem in a so-called republican country, and, above all, in a city where
"all men" were first declared to be "equal." She could not judge, from
her own true, affectionate nature, the result such a decision would have
upon her future prospects in domestic life. That was the thought which
cheered her at first, the beacon star that was to guide her through all
toil and self-denial; but it had been quenched, with all else that had
made life bright to her. And as yet she knew nothing of actual physical
fatigue or deprivation; this was yet to break upon her.

Dr. Howard, like a true friend, pointed out all this, kindly, it is
true, but in the strongest colors; and when he found that even then she
did not give up her scheme, he patted her glossy curls as he would have
done Mary's, and said she was "a little heroine," and he did not doubt
that she could succeed.

"Whoever show themselves weak enough to desert you, my child," he said,
"you have always a friend in me, remember that; and you must use me
whenever you want advice or assistance. Don't hesitate to come to me in
all your little trials and troubles, and my house shall be a second home
to you."

Then, to have her mind relieved of all anxiety on this score at once,
for he saw the sad changes the past few weeks had made in her worn face,
he proposed to go at once and consult Mrs. Hill, and see how they could
manage time and terms. It seemed a long hour to Lucy before the sound of
his carriage-wheels was heard again; but he came at last, his face
beaming with pleasure, and told her how heartily Mrs. Hill had entered
into her plans, that she would herself direct the short apprenticeship,
and engage her services when it was completed. There was a little note
from the lady herself, so full of good will and kindliness, that the
young girl's faith in human nature was revived, and her path seemed
ind