received one still more
trembling. It was carried to his lips. Another good-by was uttered, and he
was gone.

It was well for Susan that her uncle was not sitting in his own brilliantly
lighted parlor when, with blushing cheek and trembling hand, she handed him
the glass of water. In the dim light of a single candle, her agitation
passed unnoticed.

In the morning, after oil-repeated farewells, and amid tears not wholly
divorced from smiles, Susan set out on her journey, and, on the following
day, arrived at the busy mart where souls are exchanged for gold, and
hearts are regarded as less valuable than stocks. She entered the mansion
of her uncle, and was introduced to his polished and stately wife.

* * * *

CHAPTER III.

No pains were spared by her uncle to amuse Susan and to gratify her
curiosity. Mrs. Clifton, also, to her husband's great delight, put forth
very unusual exertions tending to the same end. Still, Susan was far from
being perfectly happy. She wanted a place like home to which she couid
retire when weary with sight-seeing and excitement. In her uncle's house,
notwithstanding his manifest affection and the perfect politeness of his
wife, she did not feel at ease--she felt as if she were in public. And then
to sit down at the table and partake of God's bounties, when his blessing
had not been asked upon them, and to retire for the night when his
protection had not been invoked, detracted greatly from the enjoyment which
her visit was in other respects adapted to afford. The week during which
she was to remain had not elapsed ere she desired to return home. Of this
desire she gave no voluntary indication, but exerted herself to appear (as
she really was) thankful for the efforts designed to contribute to her
happiness.

"What do you think of our niece?" said Mr. Clifton to his wife one morning,
when Susan was not present.

"I think she will make a fine girl--that is, with due attention," said his
wife. She would have expressed her meaning more accurately if she had said,
"I think she will make a fine impression--will attract admiration, if her
manners are only cultivated."

"Would you like to have her remain with us permanently?"

"I rather think I should. I like her very well." This was uttered in a very
calm tone.

"What school would you send her to if she should remain?"

"I would not send her to any school. She is old enough to go into society;
and all that she n