family?" "What, sir! and leave my dear
mother helpless and forlorn? I had rather live only on my tea and dry
bread, which indeed I have done for many months, and supply her little
wants, than enjoy all the luxuries in the world at a distance from her."

"What were your misfortunes occasioned by?" said I, while Lady Belfield
was talking with the mother. "One trouble followed another, sir," said
she, "but what most completely ruined us, and sent my father to prison,
and brought a paralytic stroke on my mother; was his being arrested for
a debt of seven hundred pounds. This sum, which he had promised to pay,
was long due to him for laces, and to my mother for millinery and fancy
dresses, from a lady who has not paid it to this moment, and my father
is dead, and my mother dying! This sum would have saved them both!"

She was turning away to conceal the excess of her grief, when a
venerable clergyman entered the room. It was the rector of the parish,
who came frequently to administer spiritual consolation to the poor
woman. Lady Belfield knew him slightly, and highly respected his
character. She took him aside, and questioned him as to the disposition
and conduct of these people, especially the young woman. His testimony
was highly satisfactory. The girl, he said, had not only had an
excellent education, but her understanding and principles were equally
good. He added, that he reckoned her beauty among her misfortunes. It
made good people afraid to take her into the house, and exposed her to
danger from those of the opposite description.

I put my purse into Lady Belfield's hands, declining to make any present
myself, lest, after the remark he had just made, I should incur the
suspicions of the worthy clergyman.

We promised to call again the next day, and took our leave, but not
till we had possessed ourselves of as many flowers as she could spare. I
begged that we might stop and send some medical assistance to the sick
woman, for though it was evident that all relief was hopeless, yet it
would be a comfort to the affectionate girl's heart to know that nothing
was omitted which might restore her mother.

CHAPTER XII.

In the evening we talked over our little adventure with Sir John, who
entered warmly into the distresses of Fanny and was inclined to adopt
our opinion, that if her character and attainments stood the test of a
strict inquiry, she might hereafter be transplanted into their family as
governess. W