re: they were never intended
for the common eye. But now, after the first rapture of meeting had
subsided, there arose a tumult within the soul of our affectionate and
grateful little Maggie: her heart urged her in two opposite directions.
She felt, in an ardent and uncommon degree, that instinctive love of
kindred which is implanted in our nature, and manifested so strongly by
the natives of Scotland; but, on the other hand, gratitude and duty
appeared to bid her stay with her benefactors. Mr. Roscoe perceived the
struggle, and it raised his little niece highly in his estimation. He
told her that it was not his wish to separate her entirely from the
family to which she was so warmly attached; that she should come very
frequently to see them, and that, as his niece, she would find it was in
her power to aid them more effectually than she could do as their
adopted daughter. Mrs. Norton, although with tears in her eyes, told her
that she could not now dare to detain her; her duty was clear, to follow
her uncle, who filled her father's place. Having made the arrangement to
call for her in the afternoon, Mr. Roscoe accompanied Mr. Wyndham and
Alice to the Grange, where he dined, and spent the intermediate time;
greatly to the pleasure of our young party, who could not have felt sure
of Maggie's future happiness, had they not themselves experienced the
attractive influence of his kind, gentlemanly, and paternal manner.

After dinner, the two gentlemen had a little private conversation about
Mrs. Norton. They wished to place her above poverty, and yet to do so in
a way which should not mortify her feelings of independence. Mr. Roscoe
remarked that "he had it in his power to bring Frederic forward in
business; and that, if he were an industrious and intelligent lad, he
should enjoy as good an opportunity of rising in the world as the son
of the richest merchant in the land. He would see to it that the girls
had the best advantages of education; and if they showed sufficient
talent, they should be trained for teachers. But, meantime, what was to
be done for Mrs. Norton? Would she accept from him an annuity, which,
after all, was only a small return for her kindness to his brother's
child?"

Mr. Wyndham thought that it would be a better plan to establish her in a
neat dwelling and well-furnished shop, either in the country or in the
city, where Frederic could board with her. He knew, from his wife's
account, that she had an acq