esently."

Charles kissed them tenderly. "I dare say I shall see you at breakfast
to-morrow," said he: "if not, you will remember all the better what I
have been saying to you this evening. You will be grown and altered
much before I see you again. I hope I shall be able to love you then as
well as I do now, or even better."

Mr Barker was much concerned to hear Charles's little tale of
anxieties. He advised him, however, to adhere to his promise respecting
his return to London. Charles acquiesced at once in the decision of his
friend, and was relieved by the kind promises he received that his
sisters should be watched over with as much care as if their brother
were beside them; especially that Jane should not be allowed to try her
strength too much, in case of Isabella's illness proving long or
dangerous. Charles with much emotion bid farewell to his good friend,
who said, "I cannot do for you what Mr Rathbone would have done: but
you may depend on me as a _sure_ friend at least. I hope, for his own
sake, that he will come round again: in the mean time we must be more
sorry than angry."

"I _was_ angry," said Charles, "but Jane made me ashamed of myself: she
is as grateful to him as ever, and I will try to remember only his past
generosity."

"Jane is a good girl, and will be made all the better by these rubs,"
said Mr Barker. "However, we will smooth things for her as well as we
can."

Charles called at Mr Monteath's to say farewell, and to take a parcel
from the young ladies to their brother. He said nothing about his
sisters, as he knew Jane had rather be left in quietness, than have her
attention to her patient interrupted, even by the kind enquiries of
friends. Mr Monteath took down Charles's address, and said he hoped to
call on him in London before long; and he earnestly desired that any of
the family would apply to him in any case where his advice or assistance
could be of service.

As Charles went home he thought with pleasure how his circle of friends
appeared to be widening. He who was poor, and could only do good by
seizing accidental occasions, he who had, in his own opinion, nothing to
recommend him to the notice of his superiors, had gained friends whose
present kindness was delightful to him, and on the steadiness of whose
regard there was every reason to rely. He and his sister agreed, before
they separated for the night, that, though they had some cares, they had
peculiar blessings