from the first cherished the ambitious design of
making herself mistress of the establishment.

It is needless to recapitulate the steps she took in this direction. It
is enough to chronicle her ultimate success.

We introduce the newly-married pair, as they sit conversing in the
pleasant sitting-room already referred to.

"I think Jasper ought to be at once informed of our marriage," said Mr.
Kent.

"There is no need of haste, in my opinion, my dear," said Mrs. Kent.

"Indeed, he ought to have been present at the ceremony. I am afraid the
poor boy will feel hurt that I should have left him wholly in the dark."

Mrs. Kent's lip curled. Evidently she had no particular feeling for the
"poor boy."

"Lay the whole blame upon me, Mr. Kent," she said. "It was I who advised
it, and I am willing to take the responsibility."

"I know you advised it, my dear," said Mr. Kent, to whom this phrase was
yet new; "but I could not understand why."

"I will explain, and I think you will consider my explanation a good
one. It would have taken Jasper's attention from his studies, and it
might have been some time before he would have been able to resume them
to advantage."

"That may be, but still on an occasion of this kind--"

"If the ceremony had not been so private--wholly out of regard to your
health--of course he should have been recalled. As it is, it is better
on all accounts not to disturb him. Did I tell you that I saw him last
week?"

"Saw Jasper?"

"Yes."

"Was he here? Why did I not see him?" asked Mr. Kent, in surprise.

"It was not here that I saw him--it was at his school."

"At his school! How came you to go there?" inquired her husband in still
greater surprise.

"I will tell you, though I have hitherto kept it a secret, as a matter
of my own. Now, since I am your wife, it is only proper that I should
acquaint you with it. I have a nephew at the same school."

"You have a nephew at Dr. Benton's boarding-school?"

"Yes," answered Mrs. Kent, lowering her voice to a compassionate
inflection. "Poor boy! he has neither father nor mother! He is entirely
dependent upon me. Out of my salary I have paid his expenses ever since
I entered your employ."

"That was generous and kind of you," said her husband, approvingly.
"What is the boy's name?"

"Nicholas Thorne."

"Your brother's son, I suppose?" said Mr. Kent.

"Ye--es," she replied, hesitatingly.

"What is his age?"

"Sixteen. He is about the sa