a unexpectedly.

As soon as the little girl saw it was Miss Bella, she stopped short,
seemed confused, and, turning about, ran away as fast as she could; but
Bella called to her, and asked her why she ran away. This made the
little girl run the faster, and Bella endeavoured to pursue her; but,
not being so much used to exercise, she was soon left behind. Luckily,
as it happened, the little stranger had turned up a path leading into
that in which Bella was. Here they suddenly met, and Bella caught her by
the arm, saying, "Come, I have you fast now; you are my prisoner, and
cannot get away from me."

The poor girl was now more frightened than ever, and struggled hard for
her liberty; but, after some time, the sweet accents of Bella, and her
assurance that she meant only to be her friend, having rather allayed
her fears, she became a little more tractable, and quietly followed her
into one of the summer-houses.

Miss Bella, having made the stranger sit down by her, asked her if she
had a father living, and what was his profession. The girl told her,
that, thank God, her father was living, and that he did any thing for an
honest livelihood. She said he was then at work in the garden, and had
brought her with him that morning.

Bella then observing that the young stranger had got a piece of brown
bread in her hand, desired she would let her taste it; but she said it
so scratched her throat on swallowing a bit of it, that she could eat no
more; and asked the little girl, why her father did not get better bread
for her. "Because," replied the stranger, "he does not get so much money
as your papa; and, besides that, there are four more of us, and we all
eat heartily. Sometimes one wants a frock, another a jacket, and all he
can get is barely sufficient for us, without laying out hardly any thing
upon himself, though he never misses a day's work while he has it to
do."

Upon Bella's asking her if she ever ate any plum-cake, she said she did
not even know what it was; but she had no sooner put a bit into her
mouth, which Miss Bella gave her, than she said, she had never in her
life tasted any thing so nice. She then asked her what was her name,
when the girl, rising, and making her a low curtsey, said it was Marian.

"Well then, my good Marian," said Bella, "stop here a moment; I will go
and ask my governess for something for you, and will come back directly:
but be sure you do not go away." Marian replied, that she was now