, nor
none of their money either, then won't they be pleased to get a letter
from you!"

Like many another young girl--ay, and boy too--Juliet had a great
notion of independence--of getting away from advice and restraint, and
of earning money for herself. In London more than in the country,
girls go off and engage themselves as servants or in some other
capacity, and so start alone in the world like little boats putting
out on a stormy sea without sail or oar, rudder or compass. And many,
many are wrecked on the first rock; and many go through wild tempests
and suffer terrible hardships. A few battle through the winds and
waves and reach a happy shore.

Had Juliet asked advice of anyone, or had she knelt and implored
guidance from her Heavenly Father, she would not have made the mad
resolve which now shaped itself in her mind. It was the resolve to go
away from Littlebourne Lock, on that side of the river which she knew
least--away from her relations, from the village, from the church,
from the railway, to find a situation with some stranger in a place
where no one knew her; in a word, to provide for herself.

As her resolve grew more fixed she felt calmer, and even pleased.
Smiles began to flicker over her features; and when she next looked in
the glass she murmured to her reflection, "I say, you ain't so
bad-looking after all!"

A knock on the door roused her. Mrs. Rowles came in.

The good aunt sat down on the foot of the bed and drew the girl
towards her, putting her motherly arm round the little figure, and
smoothing the ruffled hair. Mrs. Rowles went on to explain to Juliet
the great danger which she had run, and the extreme naughtiness of
flat disobedience; and all the while Juliet stood with a calm face and
silent manner, so that her aunt thought she was penitent. But this
quietness was caused by her having so fully made up her mind as to
what she would do next. She let Mrs. Rowles speak on, and appeared
meek and humble; but in reality her thoughts were not on anything that
she heard.

"And so," said Mrs. Rowles, rising at length and unclasping the
sheltering arms, "when you have been with us a little longer, and have
learnt a little more, we will get you a nice situation--and Mrs.
Webster knows all the good situations that are going,--and you shall
have a start in life; and I've written to your mother to tell her what
I think of doing for you. We shall have her answer the day after
to-morrow."

Julie