re fulfilled, would be by far the best looking, as well as
the sprightliest, of the family. She must marry; of course she must
marry! Her sisters gladdened in the thought.

Isabel was soon worked into illness. Brain trouble came on, resulting
in melancholia. A charitable institution ultimately received her, and
there, at two-and-twenty, the poor hard-featured girl drowned herself
in a bath.

Their numbers had thus been reduced by half. Up to now, the income of
their eight hundred pounds had served, impartially, the ends now of
this, now of that one, doing a little good to all, saving them from
many an hour of bitterness which must else have been added to their
lot. By a new arrangement, the capital was at length made over to Alice
and Virginia jointly, the youngest sister having a claim upon them to
the extent of an annual nine pounds. A trifle, but it would buy her
clothing--and then Monica was sure to marry. Thank Heaven, she was sure
to marry!

Without notable event, matrimonial or other, time went on to this
present year of 1888.

Late in June, Monica would complete her twenty-first year; the elders,
full of affection for the sister, who so notably surpassed them in
beauty of person, talked much about her as the time approached,
devising how to procure her a little pleasure on her birthday. Virginia
thought a suitable present would be a copy of 'the Christian Year'.

'She has really no time for continuous reading. A verse of Keble--just
one verse at bedtime and in the morning might be strength to the poor
girl.'

Alice assented.

'We must join to buy it, dear,' she added, with anxious look. 'It
wouldn't be justifiable to spend more than two or three shillings.'

'I fear not.'

They were preparing their midday meal, the substantial repast of the
day. In a little saucepan on an oil cooking-stove was some plain rice,
bubbling as Alice stirred it. Virginia fetched from downstairs (Mrs.
Conisbee had assigned to them a shelf in her larder) bread, butter,
cheese, a pot of preserve, and arranged the table (three feet by one
and a half) at which they were accustomed to eat. The rice being ready,
it was turned out in two proportions; made savoury with a little
butter, pepper, and salt, it invited them to sit down.

As they had been out in the morning, the afternoon would be spent in
domestic occupations. The low cane-chair Virginia had appropriated to
her sister, because of the latter's headaches and backaches, a