sank at first under the
burden.

"There; what do you think of that?" inquired Laura.

"I think they are barbaric, as you said. Well intended, no doubt, but
utterly barbaric. Why, this gold chain might fasten up the strongest
bull-dog and these bracelets serve as fetters for the most desperate
felon! Where on earth were they manufactured?" inquired Miss Cavendish.

"In some rude country where there was more gold than good taste,
evidently. However, Emma, dear, there is something very touching, very
pathetic, to my mind, in these anonymous offerings. Of course they are
almost useless to me. I could never wear the chain or the bracelets.
They are far too clumsy for any one but an Indian chief; and I can never
wear those lovely opals unless by some miracle I grow rich enough to
have everything in harmony with them. And yet, Emma, the kindness
and--what shall I say?--the humility of this anonymous giver so deeply
touches my heart that I would not part with even a link of this useless
chain to buy myself bread if I were starving," murmured Laura, with the
tears filling her eyes, as she replaced the jewels in their casket.

"And you have no suspicion who the donor is?"

"None whatever. These came to me through Mr. Lyle, the agent who
receives and pays the money for our education."

"What does your brother say to all this?"

"Oh, it makes him very uneasy at times. He shrinks from receiving this
anonymous assistance. It is all Mr. Lyle can do now, by assuring him
that in the end he will find it all right, to induce him to continue to
receive it. And, at all events, he declares that after he graduates he
will not take another dollar of this anonymous fund--conscience money or
not--but that he will begin to pay back in bank, with interest and
compound interest, the debt that he is now incurring."

"I think that resolution is highly to his honor," said Emma Cavendish.

"And he will keep it. I know Alden," answered Laura.

And then the two girls hastened to dress themselves for breakfast. And
very well they both looked as they left their room.

Laura wore her crimson merino morning-dress, with white linen cuffs and
collar, a costume that well became her olive complexion and dark hair
and eyes.

Emma wore a black cashmere trimmed with lusterless black silk, and
folded book-muslin cuffs and collar. And in this dark dress her radiant
blonde beauty shone like a fair star.

They rapped at Electra's door to bring her out.