e saw that poor Harriet was in tears, and that
Alfred was standing beside her chair with a look of deep concern. They
both felt that all seemed to go wrong with them this day, though they
knew not the cause of their sister's unaccustomed tears.

Jane threw her arm round Alfred's neck and kissed him again and again.
"Never mind," she said again, "what Mr Rathbone thinks of us: we have
Alfred safe; we have not sacrificed him; we have done what we think is
best for our happiness; and shall we not willingly abide by our choice?"

"Surely we will," replied her brother, "and willingly pay the price of
our independence, though it be a heavy one."

"It is a heavy one, indeed," said Jane. "I grieve for you the most,
Charles. We can go on living as we have lived, and be only reminded
that we once had such a friend by the proofs of his kindness which we
see every day. But it is hard upon you, separated from your family as
you are, to lose your only friend in London."

"Do not think about that, Jane; I have friends, and can make more. If
you are able to get over this pretty easily, we need only be sorry for
Mr Rathbone: it must give him great pain to think us really ungrateful.
Harriet, dear, come and tell me what is the matter. What makes you cry
so?"

"Because you are going away, Charles; and Isabella is ill; and Jane
cried so; I am sure something is the matter."

"But Isabella will be better to-morrow perhaps, and Jane is not unhappy
now; look at her, she is not crying now. Go and kiss her."

"All will come right again soon, I dare say," said Jane. "Charles will
come again some time when we are all well."

"And I shall not go to-morrow now," said Charles. "I cannot leave you
so full of care."

"O, Charles! you will, you must go," said Jane. "You have promised, and
you must go."

"I could not tell when I promised, that Isabella would be ill, and you
so anxious. I cannot turn my back on you at such a time."

"You can do us no good, if you stay, indeed. I must be with Isabella,
and Harriet and Alfred will be at school; so you would be of no use, and
it would make me uncomfortable to think you were breaking your promise.
O, indeed, Charles, this is mistaken kindness."

Charles did not know what to think: he proposed to consult Mr Barker.

"Do," said Jane, "he will tell us what is right."

Charles put on his hat.

"I wonder whether we shall see you again?" said Alfred. "Harriet and I
are going to bed pr