matter; after a time all will be well."

She looked puzzled; and, as the tea-bell summoned them, he merely added--

"I do not wonder. You are a shy child; but you will soon learn to
understand me; you will come to me with all your sorrows."

During the remainder of this visit she saw him no more. Louisa recovered
rapidly, and when she asked for her brother on Sabbath evening, Mrs. Young
said he was to preach twice that day. Monday morning arrived, and Irene
returned to school with a heavy heart fearing that she had wounded him;
but a few days after, Louisa brought her a book and brief note of kind
words. One Saturday morning she sat quite alone in her small room; the week
had been specially painful, and, wearied in soul, the girl laid her head
down on her folded arms, and thought of her home in the far South. A loud
rap startled her from this painful reverie, and ere she could utter the
stereotyped "come in," Louisa sprang to her side.

"I have come for you, Irene; have obtained permission from Dr. ---- for you
to accompany us to the Academy of Design. Put on your bonnet; Harvey is
waiting in the reception room. We shall have a charming day."

"Ah, Louisa! you are all very kind to recollect me so constantly. It will
give me great pleasure to go."

When they joined the minister, Irene fancied he received her coldly, and as
they walked on he took no part in the conversation. The annual exhibition
had just opened; the rooms were thronged with visitors, and the hushed
tones swelled to a monotonous hum. Some stood in groups, expatiating
eagerly on certain pictures; others occupied the seats and leisurely
scanned now the paintings, now the crowd. Furnished with a catalogue, the
girls moved slowly on, while Mr. Young pointed out the prominent beauties
or defects of the works exhibited. They made the circuit of the room, and
began a second tour, when their attention was attracted by a girl who stood
in one corner, with her hands clasped behind her. She was gazing very
intently on an Ecce-Homo, and, though her face was turned toward the wall,
the posture bespoke most unusual interest. Irene looked at her an instant,
and held her breath; she had seen only one other head which resembled
that--she knew the purplish waving hair, and gliding up to her she
exclaimed--

"Electra! Electra Grey!"

The orphan turned, and they were locked in a tight embrace.

"Oh, Irie! I am so glad to see you. I have been here so long, and looked