kept, congratulated her on the result. "I am glad, my
dear," said he, "that the first year has been so smooth an one. I hope
you find it an encouragement, and that you will not be dismayed if you
should meet with a few rubs before long. We all meet with rubs, and you
must expect your share."

"Certainly," replied Jane. "I am only surprised that we have done well
so far. We owe it to your help, Sir. We could have done nothing
without you."

"You can do some things without me, though, Jane. Remember you earned
five guineas, without my knowing any thing of the matter. I cannot tell
you how glad I am that Isabella is likely to prove a good help to you.
She is a sweet girl, and will do us honour, when a few years have
brought out her talents. But, my dear, she works very hard, and she is
too young to work all day long. My wife is going to take the children
to the sea, in July: if you will spare Isabella, a fortnight's run by
the sea will bring more colour into her cheeks, and make her ready to
begin school with new spirit."

Jane was beyond measure gratified by the indulgence offered to Isabella.
She most thankfully accepted the kindness; and we cannot better close
this part of our little history than by leaving our readers to imagine
the actual happiness and hopeful anticipations of Jane, her sisters and
brother, at the close of the first year, which had bound them together
in those ties, the tenderness and strength of which only the fatherless
can understand.

CHAPTER THREE.

Few events worth recording happened during the next summer, autumn, and
winter. The return of Mr Rathbone to London, which did not take place
till the month of May, was the first remarkable circumstance which I
have to relate. He asked Charles to dine at his house the Sunday after
his arrival at home, and various and most kind were the enquiries he
made about the whole family. He saw some specimens of Isabella's
drawings, which pleased him much, and he expressed great satisfaction
when he heard that Harriet was making excellent progress in music. He
listened with benevolent interest when Charles spoke of Jane's
exertions, of the mother's care which she bestowed on those who stood
almost in the place of children to her. This was a subject on which
Charles loved to speak, when he could find an auditor who could
comprehend and would sympathise with his feelings. Such a listener he
was aware that he now had, and his heart warmed