elf, and to give herself and her little
farm and her restored fortune to him, offered to become her tenant at
L10 a year for the land, leaving the cottage uninhabited; for Phebe
could not bear the idea of any farm laborer and his family dwelling in
it, and destroying or injuring the curious carvings with which her
father had lined its walls. The spot was far out of the way of tramps
and wandering vagabonds, and there was no danger of damage being done
to it by the neighbors. Mrs. Nixey undertook to see that it was kept
from damp and dirt, promising to have a fire lighted there occasionally,
and Simon would see to the thatch being kept in repair, on condition
that Phebe would come herself once a year to receive her rent, and see
how the place was cared for. There was but a forlorn hope in Mrs.
Nixey's heart that Phebe would ever have Simon now she was going to
London; but it might possibly come about in the long run if he met with
no girl to accept him with as much fortune.

Before leaving Upfold Farm Phebe received the following letter from
Felicita:

"DEAR PHEBE: I shall be very glad to have you under my
roof. I believe I see in you a freshness and truthfulness of nature
on which I can rely for sympathy. I have always felt a sincere
regard for you, but of late I have learned to love you, and to
think of you as my friend. I love you next to my children. Let me
be a friend to you. Your pursuits will interest me, and you must
let me share them as your friend.

"But one favor I must ask. Never mention my husband's name to me.
Madame will feel solace in talking of him, but the very sound of his
name is intolerable to me. It is my fault; but spare me. You are the
dearer to me because you love him, and because he prized your
affections so highly; but he must never be mentioned, if possible
not thought of, in my presence. If you think of him I shall feel it,
and be wounded. I say this before you come that you may spare me as
much pain as you can.

"This is the only thing I dread. Otherwise your coming to us would
be the happiest thing that has befallen me for the last year.

"Yours faithfully,

"Felicita."

If Felicita was glad to have her, Phebe knew that Madame and the
children would be enraptured. Nor had she judged wrongly. Madame
received her as if she had been a favorite child, whose presence was the
very comfort and h