ay after to-morrow, he will set me down.
Your affectionate

L. SANDBROOK.'

'Miss Charlecote is like a person ten years younger,' observed Bertha to
Phoebe, when she came with the rest to 'quite a family party,' at
Albury-street. Robert alone was absent, it being what Augusta called 'a
fast or something;' _i.e._ a meeting of St. Wulstan's Young Men's
Institute. Bertha heartily wished she could call herself a young man,
for her morbid sense of disgrace always recurred with those whom she knew
to be cognizant of her escapade. However, this evening made a change in
her ladyship's views, or rather she had found Phoebe no longer the mere
submissive handmaid of schoolroom days, but a young woman accustomed to
liberty of action and independence of judgment; and though perfectly
obliging and unselfish, never admitting Augusta's claims on her time to
the exclusion of those of others of the family, and quietly but decidedly
carrying out her intentions. Bertha's shrinking silence and meekness of
demeanour persuaded her sister that she would be more comfortable, and
her womanly appearance not only rendered the notion of school ridiculous,
but inspired the desire of bringing her out. Phoebe might dedicate
herself to Maria if she pleased; Bertha should shine through the season
under her sister's patronage.

Not since the adventure with the Hyeres peasants had Bertha's tongue been
so unmanageable, as when she tried to protest against going into society;
and when Mervyn came to her help, Augusta owned that such hesitation was
indeed an objection, but it might easily be cured by good management;
cordials would prevent nervousness, and, after all, no one would care
when a girl had such a fortune. Poor Bertha crept away, feeling as if
she could never open her mouth again.

Meanwhile Mervyn and Augusta amicably agreed on the excellence of
Hiltonbury parsonage as a home for the girls, the latter only regretting
what Robert had sunk on his fancies at Whittingtonia. 'I don't know
that,' returned Mervyn; 'all I regret is, that we never took our share.
It is a different thing now, I assure you, to see the turn out from the
distillery since the lads have come under his teaching! I only hope his
successor may do as well!'

'Well, I don't understand about such things,' said Augusta, crossly.
'Poor papa never made such a rout about the hands. It would not have
been though