y pretty, though she had a good figure.

I never asked questions on these occasions. I always made it difficult
for them to talk in this, to them, gloomy room.--They had to stumble
through themselves.

'Can I speak to you, sir.'

'Certainly, Sabina--go on.'

'I have come to say, sir, that--that--I have came to say, sir, that'--a
pause; she looked very guilty.

'That's right, Sabina; you have come to say that--I understand--but what
have you come to say?'

'I have come to say, sir, that--I have come to go, sir!'

I controlled myself. She was an excellent chambermaid; understood my
ways thoroughly; and did her work well; had always been respectful to
_me_, and was very steady. It would be a great loss, but DISCIPLINE must
be preserved, and my mind was at once made up. My sister looked
surprised and sorry right out.

'Well, Sabina, when do you wish to go.'

'On Saturday, sir.'

Oh how my sister wanted to speak, but I looked at the tin box that held
the contract and she bit her lip.

'Very well, Sabina, you have a perfect right to go when and where you
please, and I will take great pleasure in writing out an excellent
character for you. Let me see, (looking at my account book) that is two
weeks wages making $8. I never make presents, but as you are going here
is a ten dollar bill. Where would you like your trunk carried, tell me
and I will send it by Thomas Saturday morning?'

'Oh! it isn't that, sir,' said she, 'but--but, sir,' with the tears
flowing rapidly.

'Why, what is the matter, Sabina?' (the first question apart from
business I had ever asked.)

'I don't want to leave you, sir.'

'Well, that is strange, then why do you?' (business question.)

'I'm going, sir--I'm going, sir, to--be--married!' and she burst into
tears.

(I congratulated myself on being a bachelor, if conjugal affection
produced such an effect.)

'Oh! that's it,' said I, dryly. 'Well I hope you will be happy.'

'But you've been so kind, sir, you--'

'There now stop, I have only tried to be just,' said I, looking
exultingly at my smiling sister, who took off a little gold stud and
gave it to her with many wishes of a happy life.

Everything went on regularly as clock-work. There was a place for
everything, and everything in its place. When the bell rang during dear
Mary's sway, it continued to ring, and on one occasion, a friend met me
in the street and said:

'Why William, have you moved?'

I replied no, that we were v