ld be a certain adaptation to our readers.'

She knew what that meant, and there was that in her face which drew
forth the assurance.

'Of course nothing you would not wish to say would be required, but
it would be better not to press certain subjects.'

'I understand,' said Bessie. 'I doubt--'

'Perhaps you will think it over.'

Bessie's first thought was, 'If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, then let
my right hand forget her cunning.' That had been the inward motto
of her life. Her second was, 'Little Sam! David's mission room!'
There was no necessity to answer at once, and she knew the
periodical rather by report than by reading, so she accepted the two
numbers that were left with her, and promised to reply in a week.
It was a question on which to take counsel with her father, and with
her own higher conscience and heavenly Guide.

The Admiral, though not much given to reading for its own sake, and
perhaps inclined to think ephemeral literature the more trifling
because his little daughter was a great light there, was anything
but a dull man, and had an excellent judgment. So Bessie, with all
the comfort of a woman still with a wise father's head over her,
decided to commit the matter to him. He was somewhat disappointed
at finding her agreeable guest gone, and wished that dinner and bed
had been offered.

Mrs. Merrifield and Susan were still a good deal excited about
Arthurine's complimentary friend, who they said seemed to belong to
Fred Mytton, of whom some of the ladies had been telling most
unpleasant reports, and there was much lamentation over the set into
which their young neighbour had thrown herself.

'Such a dress too!' sighed Mrs. Merrifield.

'And her headmistress has just arrived,' said Susan, 'to make her
worse than ever!'

'How comes a headmistress to be running about the country at this
time of year?' asked Bessie.

'She has been very ill,' said Mrs. Merrifield, 'and they wrote to
her to come down as soon as she could move. There was a telegram
this morning, and she drove up in the midst of the party, and was
taken to her room at once to rest. That was the reason Miss
Arthuret was away so long. I thought it nice in her.'

'Perhaps she will do good,' said Bessie.

Dinner was just over, and the Admiral had settled down with his
shaded lamp to read and judge of the article that Bessie had given
him as a specimen, when in came the message, 'Mrs. Rudden wishes to
speak to you, sir.'