o did the
housekeeper. She was wise enough to see that all was not exactly clear
and fair in her young friend's path; of what nature the trouble might
be she could only surmise.

"What if Mr. Copley should not be in London?" she ventured.

"Oh, he must be. At least he was there a very few days ago. He never is
away from London, except when he goes to visit somewhere."

"It is coming towards the time now when the gentlemen go down into the
country to shoot."

"Father does not care for shooting. I mean to get him to go to Venice
instead, with mother and me."

"Suppose you should fail in that plan, Miss Dolly? is your business
done then?"

"No. Oh no!" said Dolly, for a moment covering her face with her hands.
"O Mrs. Jersey! if I could not manage that, I do not know what I should
do!" Dolly's voice had a premonition of despair. "But I guess I can do
it," she added with a resumption of cheerfulness. And she talked on
from that time merrily of other things.

When they arrived in London next day, it was already too late for Dolly
to do anything. She was fain to let Mrs. Jersey lodge her and feast her
and pet her to her heart's content. She was put in a pretty room in the
great house; she was entertained royally, as far as the viands went;
and in every imaginable way the housekeeper was carefully kind. Well
for Dolly; who needed all the help of kindness and care. The whole long
day she had been brooding on what she had to do, and trying to imagine
how things would be. Without data, that is a specially wearisome
occupation; inasmuch as one may imagine anything, and there is nothing
to contradict the most extravagant speculations. Dolly's head and heart
were tired by the time night came, and her nerves in an excited
condition, to which Mrs. Jersey's ministrations and the interest of the
place gave a welcome relief. Dolly tried to put off thought. But
everything pressed upon her, now that she was so near seeing her
father; and seventeen-years-old felt as if it had a great load on its
young shoulders.

"Mrs. Jersey," she began, after supper, "you are quite sure that it is
never right for a girl to sacrifice herself for the sake of benefiting
her parents?"

"In the way of marrying a man she does not love? Miss Dolly, a
Christian man would never have a young lady marry him on those terms."

"Suppose he is not a Christian man?"

"Then he may be selfish enough to do it. But in that case, Miss Dolly,
a Christian woman c