strust her in the future. It is impossible
to say to what violent measures her present extremity may not drive her.
It is impossible to feel sure that she may not be the cause of some
public scandal this time, which may affect her innocent sister as well
as herself.

"I know you will not misinterpret the motive which has led me to write
these lines; I know you will not think that I am inconsiderate enough
to cause you unnecessary alarm. My sincere anxiety to see that happy
prospect realized to which your letter alludes has caused me to write
far less reservedly than I might otherwise have written. I strongly urge
you to use your influence, on every occasion when you can fairly exert
it, to strengthen that growing attachment, and to place it beyond the
reach of any coming disasters, while you have the opportunity of doing
so. When I tell you that the fortune of which Mrs. Noel Vanstone has
been deprived is entirely bequeathed to Admiral Bartram; and when I
add that Mr. George Bartram is generally understood to be his uncle's
heir--you will, I think, acknowledge that I am not warning you without a
cause. Yours most truly,

"WILLIAM PENDRIL."

III.

From Admiral Bartram to Mrs. Drake (housekeeper at St. Crux).

"St. Crux, January 10th, 1848.

"MRS. DRAKE--I have received your letter from London, stating that you
have found me a new parlor-maid at last, and that the girl is ready to
return with you to St. Crux when your other errands in town allow you to
come back.

"This arrangement must be altered immediately, for a reason which I am
heartily sorry to have to write.

"The illness of my niece, Mrs. Girdlestone--which appeared to be so
slight as to alarm none of us, doctors included--has ended fatally. I
received this morning the shocking news of her death. Her husband is
said to be quite frantic with grief. Mr. George has already gone to his
brother-in-law's, to superintend the last melancholy duties and I
must follow him before the funeral takes place. We propose to take Mr.
Girdlestone away afterward, and to try the effect on him of change of
place and new scenes. Under these sad circumstances, I may be absent
from St. Crux a month or six weeks at least; the house will be shut up,
and the new servant will not be wanted until my return.

"You will therefore tell the girl, on receiving this letter, that a
death in the family has caused a temporary change in our arrangements.
If she is willing to wait, you may