felt that nothing she could say could do justice to her
feelings. When she had put her letter into the post-office, she turned
her attention from the subject, that her head might not be running on
other things when she ought to be attending to her pupils.

They all got forward with their business this day, that they might be
ready with a clear conscience to receive their friends on the first
occasion when they had to exercise hospitality. Isabella found her
watch a prodigious assistance, she declared.

The Barkers enjoyed the evening as much as their young host and
hostesses. The weather was charming, the country looked beautiful, the
children were merry, and, "though last, not least," the cake was
delicious.

CHAPTER TWO.

"But where is Charles all this time?" my readers will ask. Charles is
in London, endeavouring to discharge, to the best of his ability, the
duties of a situation which had been procured for him in the warehouse
of a general merchant, who had had dealings with Mr Forsyth, had always
esteemed him for his integrity, and was, therefore, willing to make
trial of the services of the youth who had been brought up under the eye
of such a father.

Charles found his situation a laborious one; and his salary was so small
that he could only by great frugality subsist upon it himself. He found
that he must wait till his character had been tried, and till he grew
older, before he could afford any substantial assistance to his family.
His state of mind and circumstances will be better understood from his
letters to Jane, than from any account we could give. Here, therefore,
are some of them, with Jane's answers.

"My dearest Jane,--

"I am glad that the day appointed for writing has arrived: you cannot
conceive the comfort your letters are to me, and the pleasure I have
in answering them. I suppose that in time I shall get accustomed to
the silence I am now obliged to observe with respect to the subjects I
love most to talk upon; but I sigh sometimes for some one to whom I
can speak of my father, and of times past; or of you, and time
present, and to come. My companions here are good-tempered enough,
and we go on smoothly and easily together, and I know that this is a
great thing to be able to say; and that many in my situation would be
glad to say as much: but yet I cannot help feeling the want of some
friend to whom I can speak of what is nearest to my heart, and there