that place, either to purchase or to dispose of her goods, she
always went either before her family were up, or after they had
retired to rest, locking the door constantly after her, and putting
the key in her pocket, so that the poor little souls had no
opportunity of telling their misfortunes to any human creature.

One intense hot afternoon, in the month of August, as the children
were sitting hard at work with the door open for the sake of air, an
elderly lady and gentleman walked up to it, and begged to be
accommodated with a seat, informing Mrs. Bullen their carriage had
broken down a mile distant, and they had been obliged to walk in the
heat of the sun.

The appearance of so many children, all industriously employed, was a
sight particularly pleasing to the liberal-minded Mrs. Montague, and
she immediately began asking the woman several questions about them;
but there was something of confusion in her manner of replying that
called forth Mrs. Montague's surprise and astonishment.

"They really are lovely children, my dear," said she, turning to Mr.
Montague, who had stood at the door watching the approach of the
carriage, which he perceived coming forward; "and as to that little
creature with the mole under her left eye, I declare I think it is a
perfect beauty."

Mr. Montague turned his head, and regarded Eliza with a look that at
once proved that his sentiments corresponded with those of his lady.

"What is your name, my love?" said he, in a tone of kindness which
poor Eliza had long been a stranger to.

The child colored like scarlet, and looked immediately at her inhuman
employer, who, catching the contagion, replied with evident marks of
confusion:

"Her name is Biddy Bullen, sir; she's my niece; but 'tis a poor timid
little fool, and is always in a fright when gentlefolks happen to
speak to her. Go, Biddy," she continued--"go up into my bedroom, and
mind that thread which you'll find upon the reel."

"You should try to conquer that timidity," said Mr. Montague, "by
making her answer every stranger who speaks to her; but by taking that
office upon yourself, you absolutely encourage the shyness you
complain of. Come hither, my little girl," continued he, observing she
was retiring upstairs, "and tell the lady what your name is."

Encouraged by the kindness of Mr. Montague's address, the agitated
child obeyed the summons, although Mrs. Bullen attempted to force her
into resistance.

"Well," conti