ted, his health failed: he dragged on
a miserable existence for many months, till an attack of illness, which
would formerly have been overcome in two days' time, carried him off, a
feeble and unresisting prey. He was thought to have left a large
property, but it could never be got at; and I have heard my poor father
say that he was glad we never had a farthing of it, for it would have
seemed to him the price of blood. It was a mistake, however, and only a
mistake; for his welfare was the object of his parents: but it was a
mistake whose consequences weighed them down with sorrow to their dying
days."

After Mr Barker was gone, this little family gathered together to close
the day with an hour of pleasant intercourse. Isabella's work was
produced, and extremely did Charles admire it. "Will it bring her ten
guineas?" asked Jane.

"Twenty, or nothing," said Charles. "Only, I am no judge of these
things. You must get it done for me to take back with me, Isabella."

Isabella thought it was impossible she could have earned twenty guineas
so easily. Not very easily, Charles thought: the leisure hours of eight
months had been spent upon this, and great efforts of perseverance and
resolution had been required. Add to this, the uncertainty and delay
and hazard which she yet had to encounter, and he thought that twenty
guineas was no more than a sufficient recompense. He told her that all
would not be over when the work was finished, but that she might have to
wait many months before she knew its fate, and it was even very possible
that it might remain on her hands. Isabella, however, had made up her
mind to be patient and to hope for the best.

When they separated for the night, Jane whispered to her brother,--"Yes,
we will keep together and be happy. Better is poverty in this house,
than wealth in India." Charles kissed her in sign of agreement.

The next morning Jane sat down to write her letter, with her brother by
her side. He approved the simple account which she gave of their
feelings and opinions upon the important matter, and made her add, that
she and her brother had the sanction of Mr Barker's experienced
judgment. Mr Barker had given her permission to say this, and when
Charles shewed him the letter, he approved the whole of it, and it was
therefore sealed and dispatched. Jane endeavoured to forget her fears
about the answer, and determined to bear it patiently, whatever it might
be, knowing that s