he same pillow, with an old woman bending
over us--a noble-faced old woman, with gray hair, and a queenly
way of carrying the head? Have you any remembrance of a woman
like that? Do you remember a hot, red fire, streams of water
gushing over it, a ladder, a crowd, and great pipes coiling like
a tangle of huge snakes along a street full of people? I do--and
this no one has ever told me.

"I want to ask all these things in person. You are from America.
I was there once, and after that fire I remember the ocean and a
great black ship, which sent banners of smoke over us day after
day.

"Then Oakhurst. I was not four years old then, but my life began
in America, so far as I know of it.

"I cannot help you now; but if you hate the stage so much, be
firm, and madame cannot force you upon it. Besides, I am
determined to redeem my pledge; so, if it can be done in no
other way, I will just have an early time set for my marriage
with Mr. Closs, and then you shall come to us if any one
attempts to oppress you.

"Pray do not suppose that any one here dislikes you. On the
contrary, Lady Hope admits that you are charming. The trouble is
that here, in England, there is so much prejudice against the
stage. I cannot advise you, having broken down so miserably in
my promises; but I shall not be helpless forever, and when I
have power you shall share it.

"If she insists, if the worst comes to the worst, run away, and
come down here--I mean into the neighborhood. I have plenty of
pocket-money, and drive my ponies just where I please. Margaret
will help us.

"I am sure you will forgive me that I cannot do all I promised.
It does not grieve you more than it humiliates me. To think that
I should offer so much and perform nothing! But it is not my
fault, nor is it the fault of any one here.

"Believe in me, trust me, and love me, for I will deserve it
all.

"Yours affectionately,
"CLARA."

Lady Clara wrote this letter on the very night of her return to
Oakhurst. That much she insisted on doing. Less, she said, would be
cruel treachery.

Neither Lady Hope nor her brother were disposed to interfere, and so the
little missive went, carrying both hope and pain with it.

It was some days before Hepworth Closs was able to make his entire peace
with the young lady. She could