one of Mr. Fulmort's children,
save the poor innocent, Maria; but many a shortcoming, many a moment of
impatience or discontent, many a silent impulse of blame, were grieved
over, and every kindness she had received shot through her heart with
mournful gladness and warmth, filling her with yearning for another
embrace, another word, or even that she had known that the last good-bye
had been the last, that she might have prized it--oh, how intensely!

Then came anxious imaginings for the future, such as would not be stilled
by the knowledge that all would settle itself over her head. There were
misgivings whether her mother would be properly considered, fears of the
mutual relations between her brothers, a sense that the family bond was
loosed, and confusion and jarring might ensue; but, as her mind recoiled
from the shoals and the gloom, the thought revived of the Pilot amid the
waves of this troublesome world. She closed her eyes for prayer, but not
for sleep. Repose even more precious and soothing than slumber was
granted--the repose of confidence in the Everlasting Arms, and of
confiding to them all the feeble and sorrowful with whom she was linked.
It was as though (in the words of her own clasped book) her God were
_more_ to her than ever, truly a very _present_ Help in trouble; and, as
the dawn brightened for a day so unlike all others, her heart trembled
less, and she rose up with eyes heavy and limbs weary, but better
prepared for the morning's ordeal than even by sleep ending in a wakening
to the sudden shock.

When Miss Fennimore vigilantly met her on leaving her room, and surveyed
her anxiously, to judge of her health and powers, there was a serious,
sweet collectedness in air and face that struck the governess with loving
awe and surprise.

The younger girls had known their father too little to be much affected
by the loss. Maria stared in round-eyed amaze, and Bertha, though
subdued and shocked for a short space, revived into asking a torrent of
questions, culminating in 'Should they do any lessons?' Whereto Miss
Fennimore replied with a decided affirmative, and, though Phoebe's taste
disapproved, she saw that it was wiser not to interfere.

Much fatigued, Robert slept late, but joined his sister long before the
dreaded moment of hearing their mother's bell. They need not have been
fearful of the immediate effect; Mrs. Fulmort's perceptions were tardy,
and the endeavours at preparation were misund