rustworthy housekeeper, to take the entire responsible charge of
his house. 'My friend,' continued Mr Budge, tapping his snuff-box
complacently, his brown eyes twinkling with the pleasure of doing a
kind act, for his green specs were in their well-worn case at his
elbow--'My friend is about my age--a sober chap, you see, Mrs Deborah;
'here a chuckle--'and he has no wife and no child to take care of
him'--here a slight sigh: 'he has lately bought a beautiful estate,
called Sorel Park, and it is there you will live, with nobody to
interfere with you, as the lady-relative who will reside with my
friend is a most amiable and admirable young lady; and I am sure, Mrs
Deborah, you will become much attached to her. 'By the by, Mrs
Deborah,' he continued, after pondering for a moment, 'will you do me
a favour to use your influence to prevent Miss Marion from accepting
any appointment for the present, as after you are established at Sorel
Park, I think I know of a home that may suit her?'

I do not know which I felt most grateful or delighted for--my own
prospects, or my dear Miss Marion's; though certainly hers were more
vague and undefined than mine, for the remuneration offered for my
services was far beyond my expectation, and from Mr Budge's
description of Sorel Park, it seemed to be altogether a place beyond
my most sanguine hopes. I said something about Miss Marion, and my
hope that she might be as fortunate as myself; and Mr Budge, I was
happy to see, was quite fervent in his response. 'My friend,' said he,
at the close of the interview, 'will not arrive to take possession of
Sorel Park until you, Mrs Deborah, have got all things in order; and
as I know that he is anxious for the time to arrive, the sooner you
can set out on your journey thither the better. I also must depart
shortly, but I hope to return hither again.' Important business
required Mr Budge's personal attention, and with hurried adieus to us
all, he departed from Fairdown; and in compliance with his request, I
set off for Sorel Park, leaving my beloved Miss Marion to the care of
Thomas and Martha for the present.

The owner of this fine place was not as yet known there; for Mr Budge,
being a managing man, had taken everything upon himself, and issued
orders with as lordly an air as if there was nobody in the kingdom
above the little brown man. The head-gardener, and some of the other
domestics, informed me they had been engaged by Mr Budge himself, who,