ciousness that the night was over and there had been no
disturbance. Her mother had slept all the night through and was
sleeping yet. What refreshment and comfort it was. What strength and
rest, to think of that kind, calm, strong, resolute man in her father's
room; somebody that could be depended upon. Dolly thought Christina
ought to be a happy woman, with always such a hand to support her all
her life long. "And he drinks no wine," thought Dolly; "that temptation
will never overtake him; she will never have to be ashamed of him. He
will hold her up, and not she him. She is happy."

The worst thing about Mr. Shubrick's coming was, that he must go away
again! However, not yet; he would be seen at breakfast first; and to
prepare breakfast was now Dolly's next care. Then she got her mother up
and persuaded her to make herself nice and appear at the meal.

"You are never going to bring him down into the kitchen?" said Mrs.
Copley, horrified, when she got there.

"Certainly, mother; it is no use trying to make a fuss. I cannot give
him breakfast anywhere else."

"Then I would let him go to the village, Dolly, and get his breakfast
there."

"But that would be very inhospitable. He was here at supper, mother; I
don't think he was frightened. He knows just how we are situated."

"He doesn't know you have nobody to help you, I hope?"

"How could he help knowing it? The thing is patent. Never mind, mother;
the breakfast will be good, if the breakfast-room is only so so. If you
do not mind, nobody else will."

"That you should come to this!" said Mrs. Copley, sinking into a chair.
"My Dolly! Doing a servant's work, and for strangers, and nobody to
help or care! And what are we coming to? I don't see, for my part. You
are ruined."

"Not yet," said Dolly cheerfully. "If I am, I do not feel like it. Now,
mother, see if you can get Mr. Shubrick down here before my omelette is
ruined; for that is the greatest danger just at present."

It was not quite easy to get Mr. Shubrick down there, however; he
demurred very seriously; and I am afraid the omelette was something the
worse before he came. But then the breakfast was rather gay. The
watcher reported a quiet night, and as he was much inclined to think,
an amended patient.

"Quiet!" echoed Mrs. Copley. "How could you keep him quiet?"

"I suppose I imagined myself on board ship," said the young man,
smiling, "and gave orders, as I am accustomed to do there. Habit is a
gr