ined silent. In the evening,
however, Miss Damer mentioned that her father had left the kingdom, and
with a trembling voice added, "there are circumstances, ma'am, which it
would not become me to reveal; when Mrs. Adair returns home, as far as I
am at liberty, I will explain the cause of our distress."

"Not another word upon the subject," cried Elizabeth; "I was not
attending to you, for this teasing kitten has ruffled all my silks."
Elizabeth turned the kitten out of the room, and began to put her
netting balls in order, saying at the time, "what have I to do with your
father's affairs, my dear? I will not hear any family secrets; for I do
not love secrets of any kind. You are in the house of friends: therefore
try to be happy. My mother and sister never make professions: by their
actions you must judge them. For my part, I would rather have one act
of kindness than a thousand promises, or words of praise and comfort.
But come and assist me with my silk, for I can do no good with it."

Elizabeth wrote the particulars to Mrs. Adair, and finished her letter
with the hope that the promise she had given to their pupil, of having a
home with them, would not be disapproved.

Mrs. Adair received this letter with some degree of displeasure. She was
not one who was generous for worldly fame; she justly considered that
her pupil's friends were the most proper persons to provide for her, and
lost no time in calling at her late residence. On her arrival at the
house, she found all the shutters closed; an elderly female, however,
at the moment stopped and unlocked the door, who proved to be the nurse
Elizabeth had seen.

Mrs. Adair followed her into the house, which was quite desolate: not a
piece of furniture was remaining. She inquired if Miss Damer had any
relations or friends to take care of her. "No, indeed, madam," said the
nurse; "her mother's sister is the only near relation, and she has
married somebody. It was a sad day for my poor young lady! she was
stupified with grief! Her father fled--and the sheriff's officers in the
house! All things were in confusion! chairs in one place, carpets upon
dining-room tables, satin curtains upon the floor, nothing in its
place; and then to see the nice things my good mistress had once so
highly prized, handled so roughly! Ah, madam, ladies little think, when
they are so delicate in handling their finery, into what brutish hands
it may fall at last! But a happy thing it was, that my