k parlor. Virginia burst into tears. "You are the
only friend in the town that I dearly love," said she, "and now you are
going."

"My dear girl, I am more sorry to part with you and Tom than I can well
express--our pain is mutual, but we shall meet again."

"I see no chance of that," said Virginia, mournfully.

[Illustration: SIR J. O'CONNOR AND MRS. ST. FELIX.--Marryat, Vol. X.,
p. 467.]

"But I do; and what is more, I have thought about it since I have had
the news. Tom, your sister, of course, only knows the common report?"

"Of course she knows no more than anybody else."

"Well, you do, at all events; and I give you leave, as I know she is to
be trusted, to confide my secret to her. And, Virginia dear, when I tell
you that I shall want you to come and stay with me, and shall arrange
accordingly, after you have heard what your brother has to tell you you
will understand that we may meet again. Good-by, and God bless you,
dearest; go away now, for I have much to do."

When I told Virginia what the reader is well acquainted with, her joy
was excessive. "Yes," said she, "I see now. My mother is so anxious that
I should be taken into some grand family as a companion; and when Lady
O'Connor agrees to receive me, she will never have an idea that it is
Mrs. St. Felix. If she had, nothing would induce her to let me go, that
I am sure of; for she has taken an aversion to her for reasons known
only to herself."

I returned to Mrs. St. Felix's house as soon as I had escorted Virginia
home, leaving her very happy. The doctor was there, mute and melancholy;
and I was thinking that we should have some difficulty in getting rid of
him, when Tom made his appearance.

"If you please, sir," said he, "Mrs. Fallover wants you immediately;
she's taken very bad."

"I can't help it."

"Indeed, but you must help it, doctor," said Mrs. St. Felix; "the poor
woman is, as you know, in her first confinement, and you must not
neglect her, so let's say good-by at once, and a happy return. I asked
Tom to come down that I might call upon his sister and one or two other
people before I go; so you see, doctor, as you can't go with me, you
may just as well go and attend to the poor woman; so good-by, Dr.
Tadpole, I will write to you as soon as I know what I'm to do."

The doctor took her hand, and after a pause said, "Mrs. St. Felix, Eheu,
me infelix!" and hastened out of the shop.

"Poor fellow!" said she, "he'll miss me, and that's