within them which was eternal.

She returned to London, and was a little disappointed there also. Mrs.
St. Alban had promised herself an absolute release from any outside
element. She felt Aspatria a trifle in the way, and, though far too
polite to show her annoyance, Aspatria by some similar instinct
divined it. That is the way always. When we plan for ourselves, all
our plans fail. Happy are they who learn early to let fate alone, and
never interfere with the Powers who hold the thread of their destiny!

It was not until she had reached this mood, a kind of content
indifference, that her good genius could work for her. She then sent
Brune as her messenger, and Brune took his sister to meet her on
Richmond Hill. On their way thither they talked about Seat-Ambar, and
Will and Alice, until Aspatria suddenly noticed that Brune was not
listening to her. His eyes were fixed upon a lovely woman approaching
them. It was Sarah Sandys. Brune stood bareheaded to receive her
salutation.

"I never should have known you, Lieutenant Anneys," she said,
extending her hand, and beaming like sunshine on the handsome officer,
"had not your colonel Jardine been in Richmond to-day. He is very
proud of you, sir, and said so many fine things of you that I am
ambitious to show him that we are old acquaintances. May I know,
through you, Mrs. Anneys also?"

"This is my sister, Mrs. Sandys,--my sister--" Brune hesitated a
moment, and then said firmly, "Miss Anneys."

Then Sarah insisted on taking them to her house to lunch; and there
she soon had them under her influence. She waited on them with
ravishing smiles and all sorts of pretty offices. She took them in her
handsome carriage to drive, she insisted on their remaining to dinner.
And before the drive was over, she had induced Aspatria to extend her
visit until the opening of Mrs. St. Alban's school.

"We three are from the north country," she said, with an air of
relationship; "and how absurd for Miss Anneys to be alone at Mrs. St.
Alban's, where she is not wanted, and for me to be alone here, when I
desire her society so much!"

Aspatria was much pleased to receive such a delightful invitation, and
a messenger was sent at once for her maid. Mrs. St. Alban was quite
ready to resign Aspatria, and the maid was as glad as her mistress to
leave the lonely mansion. In an hour or two she had removed Aspatria's
wardrobe, and was arranging the pleasant rooms Mrs. Sandys had placed
at her