ook at her on her bed, and
kissed her--but so lightly that little Mary's sleep was undisturbed by
that farewell token of tenderness and love.

"Tell her to write to me, sir," said poor Mrs. Peckover, holding
Valentine's hand fast, and looking wistfully in his face through her
gathering tears. "I shall prize my first letter from her so much, if
it's only a couple of lines. God bless you, sir; and good-bye. It ought
to be a comfort to me, and it is, to know that you will be kind to
her--I hope I shall get up to London some day, and see her myself. But
don't forget the letter, sir: I shan't fret so much after her when once
I've got that!"

She went away, sadly murmuring these last words many times over, while
Valentine was trying to cheer and reassure her, as they walked together
to the outer gate. Doctor Joyce accompanied them down the front-garden
path, and exacted from her a promise to return often to the Rectory,
while the circus was at Rubbleford; saying also that he and his family
desired her to look on them always as her fast and firm friends in any
emergency. Valentine entreated her, over and over again, to remember
the terms of their agreement, and to come and judge for herself of the
child's happiness in her new home. She only answered "Don't forget the
letter, sir!" And so they parted.

Early the next morning, Mr. Blyth and little Mary left the Rectory, and
started for London by the first coach.

CHAPTER VII. MADONNA IN HER NEW HOME.

The result of Mr. Blyth's Adventure in the traveling Circus, and of the
events which followed it, was that little Mary at once became a member
of the painter's family, and grew up happily, in her new home, into the
young lady who was called "Madonna" by Valentine, by his wife, and by
all intimate friends who were in the habit of frequenting the house.

Mr. Blyth's first proceeding, after he had brought the little girl home
with him, was to take her to the most eminent aural surgeon of the
day. He did this, not in the hope of any curative result following the
medical examination, but as a first duty which he thought he owed to
her, now that she was under his sole charge. The surgeon was deeply
interested in the case; but, after giving it the most careful attention,
he declared that it was hopeless. Her sense of hearing, he said, was
entirely gone; but her faculty of speech, although it had been totally
disused (as Mrs. Peckover had stated) for more than two years past,