aid was in her power. Though
surprised and, to say the truth, indignant, I simply inquired what
views, had occurred to her with regard to my future life.

"She said, then, very kindly, that although I was not very thorough
in, any branch of study, yet she thought I had a decided taste for the
lighter and more ornamental parts of female education. That a few months
earnest attention to these would fit me for a position independent of my
connexions, and one of which none of my friends would have cause to be
ashamed.

"I am deeply pained to own to you how I answered her. Drawing myself up,
I said, coldly,

"'I am obliged to you, madam, for your quite unsolicited interest in
my affairs. When I leave this place, it will be to join my brother and
sister in Brooklyn, and, as we are all reasonably wealthy, I must try to
make gold varnish over any defects in my neglected education.'

"I looked to see my kind adviser entirely annihilated by these imposing
words, but she answered with perfect calmness,

"'I know Laura Wentworth, now Mrs. Somers. She was educated at the
North, and was a pupil of my own for a year. She is wealthy and
beautiful, and I hope you will never have cause to regret assuming a
position with regard to her that might be mistaken for dependence.'

"With these words, my well-meaning, but perhaps injudicious friend, took
leave, and I burst into a mocking laugh, that I hoped she might linger
long enough to hear. 'This is too good!' I repeated to myself--but I
could not feel perfectly at ease. However, I soon forgot all thoughts
of the future, in the present duties of scribbling in fifty albums, and
exchanging keepsakes, tears, and kisses, with a like number of _very_
intimate friends.

"It was not until I had finally left school, and was fairly on the way
to the home of my brother, that I found a moment's leisure to think
seriously of the life that was before me. I confess that I felt some
secret misgivings, as I stood at last upon the steps of the very elegant
house that was to be my future home. The servant who obeyed my summons,
inquired if I was Miss Rankin, a name I had never borne since childhood.

"I was about to reply in the negative, when she added, 'If you are the
young lady that Mr. Somers is expecting from the seminary, I will show
you to your room.'

"I followed mechanically, and was left in a very pretty chamber, with
the information that Mrs. Somers was a little indisposed, but would meet