sitor."

"He came back in a few minutes, but so transformed in outward
appearance that Ducie scarcely knew him."

"Behold!"

"Sister Agnes knelt for a few moments and bent her head in silent
prayer."

"He put his hand to his side, and motioned Mirpah to open the letter."

* * * * *

Illustrations to "The Bretons at Home."

[Illustration: SISTER AGNES KNELT FOR A FEW MOMENTS, AND BENT HER HEAD
IN SILENT PRAYER.]

THE ARGOSY.

_MAY, 1891._

THE FATE OF THE HARA DIAMOND.

CHAPTER XVIII.

JANET IN A NEW CHARACTER.

On entering Lady Chillington's room for the second time, Janet found
that the mistress of Deepley Walls had completed her toilette in the
interim, and was now sitting robed in stiff rustling silk, with an
Indian fan in one hand and a curiously-chased vinaigrette in the other.
She motioned with her fan to Janet. "Be seated," she said, in the iciest
of tones; and Janet sat down on a chair a yard or two removed from her
ladyship.

"Since you were here last, Miss Hope," she began, "I have seen Sister
Agnes, who informs me that she has already given you an outline of the
duties I shall require you to perform should you agree to accept the
situation which ill-health obliges her to vacate. At the same time, I
wish you clearly to understand that I do not consider you in any way
bound by what I have done for you in the time gone by, neither would I
have you in this matter run counter to your inclinations in the
slightest degree. If you would prefer that a situation as governess
should be obtained for you, say so without hesitation; and any small
influence I may have shall be used ungrudgingly in your behalf. Should
you agree to remain at Deepley Walls, your salary will be thirty guineas
a-year. If you wish it, you can take a day for consideration, and let me
have your decision in the morning."

Lady Chillington's mention of a fixed salary stung Janet to the quick:
it was so entirely unexpected. It stung her, but only for a moment; the
next she saw and gratefully recognised the fact that she should no
longer be a pensioner on the bounty of Lady Chillington. A dependent she
might be--a servant even, if you like; but at least she would be earning
her living by the labour of her own hands; and even about the very
thought of such a thing there was a sweet sense of independence that
flushed her warmly through and through.

Her hesita