d she set about using her money in such a way that she
should not be driven forth to some large city to live as ordinary
wealthy people live, in a fashion to which she was utterly unsuited, and
which possessed for her no attractions whatever?

Of course, she had early determined to devote a large sum to charitable
purposes, for she would have thought herself a very unworthy woman if
her wealth had not benefited others than herself, but this was an easy
matter to attend to. The amount she had set aside for charity was not
permanently invested, and, through the advice of Mr. Perley, there would
be no difficulty in devoting this to suitable objects. Already she had
confidentially spoken to her pastor on the subject, and had found him
enthusiastic in his desire to help her in every possible way in her
benevolent purposes. But who was there who could help her in regard to
herself? Who was there who could tell her how she ought to live so as
to gain all the good that her money should give her, and yet not lose
that which was to her the highest object of material existence,--a happy
and prosperous life among her old friends in her native town?

Should she choose to elevate herself in the social circle by living as
ordinary very rich people live, she could not hope to elevate her
friends in that way, although she would be glad enough to do it in many
cases, and there would be a gap between them which would surely grow
wider and wider; and yet here was this money coming in upon her in a
steady stream day by day, and how was she going to make herself happier
with it?

She must do that, or, she believed, it would be her duty to hand it over
to somebody else who was better adapted by nature to use it.

"If I did not take so much pleasure in things which cost so little and
which are so easy for me to buy," said poor Mrs. Cliff to herself, "or
if I did not have so much money, I am sure I should get on a great deal
better."

Mrs. Cliff's belief that she must not long delay in selecting some sort
of station in life, and endeavoring to live up to it, was soon
strengthened by Willy Croup. During the time of the trunk opening, and
for some days afterwards, when all her leisure hours were occupied with
the contemplation and consideration of her own presents, Willy had been
perfectly contented to let things go on in the old way, or any way, but
now the incongruity of Mrs. Cliff's present mode of living, and the
probable amount of her f