e, but indeed there is no
need for any fresh anxiety.

"I have met with good Samaritans. The roof that shelters me is
humble indeed, but it shelters loving hearts and simple,
kindly natures--natures as true as yours, Margaret--gentle,
high-souled women, who, like the charitable traveler in the
Bible, have sought to pour oil and wine into my wounds. How
you would love them for my sake, but still more for their own!

"These kindly strangers took me in without a word--they asked
no questions; I was young, friendless and unhappy, that was
all they cared to know.

"I must tell you very little about them, for I do not wish to
give you any clew to my home at present; they are a mother and
two daughters in reduced circumstances, but having
unmistakably the stamp of gentlewomen; both mother and
daughter, for the second is only a child, have high, cultured
natures. The mother--forgive me, Margaret, for I dare not
mention her name--teaches in a school close by us, and her
daughter is also a daily governess. I am thankful to say that
their recommendations have procured me work of the same kind;
I give morning lessons to two little boys, and Fern--that is
the eldest daughter's name--and I have also obtained some
orders for embroidery to fill up our leisure hours and occupy
our hands while we teach Fern's youngest sister.

"And now I have told you all this, will you not be comforted a
little about me; will you not believe that as far as possible
things are well with me? Tell him--tell Raby--that when I have
wiped out my sin a little by this bitter penance and
mortification, till even I can feel I have suffered and
repented enough, I will come back and look on your dear face
again. And this for you, Margaret; know that in the blameless,
hard-working life I lead that I have forgotten none of your
counsel, and that I so walk in the hard and lonely path that I
have marked out for myself that even you could find no fault.
Farewell.

"CRYSTAL."

As Margaret's voice died away, Raby turned his sightless face to her.

"You may give it back to me, Margaret, but stay, there is the copy of
your answer; I think I would like to hear that once again; and
Margaret obediently opened the thin, folded paper.

"MY POOR DARLING,--At last we have heard