meron, who had undoubtedly gone to heaven,
and that it was an advantage, too, to Job's wife, who would now be saved
from further torment at her husband's hands, her mind became
acquiescent. For herself, she had no reason to be sorry the old man was
dead. It was better for him; it was better for her, too. So, without
inward or outward agitation, she directed the morning business of the
house, setting all things in such order that she, the guiding hand of it
all, might that afternoon take holiday.

Some days before she had been invited by Mrs. Rexford to spend this
afternoon with them and take tea. Then, as it was said that Principal
Trenholme, in spite of a sprained ankle, had insisted upon taking the
Church services as usual, all the fine ladies at the hotel intended to
go and hear him preach in the evening. Eliza would go too. This
programme was highly agreeable to her, more so than exciting amusement
which would have pleased other girls better. Although nothing would have
drawn expression of the fact from her, in the bottom of her deeply
ambitious heart she felt honoured by the invitations Miss Rexford
obtained for her, and appreciated to the full their value. She also knew
the worth of suitable attendance at church.

Sunday was always a peaceful day at Chellaston. Much that was truly
godly, and much that was in truth worldly, combined together to present
a very respectable show of sabbath-keeping. The hotel shared in the
sabbath quiet, especially in the afternoon, when most people were
resting in their rooms.

About three o'clock Eliza was ready to go to her room on the third story
to dress for the afternoon. This process was that day important, for she
put on a new black silk gown. It was beflounced and befrilled according
to the fashion of the time. When she had arranged it to a nicety in her
own room, she descended to one of the parlours to survey herself in the
pier-glass. No one was there. The six red velvet chairs and the uniform
sofa stood in perfect order round the room. The table, with figured
cloth, had a large black Bible on it as usual. On either side of the
long looking-glass was a window, in which the light of day was somewhat
dulled by coarse lace curtains. Abundance of light there was, however,
for Eliza's purpose. She shut the door, and pushed aside the table which
held the Bible, the better to show herself to herself in the
looking-glass.

Eliza faced herself. She turned and looked at herself ov