in a smaller household and the dismissal of the horse. Not a
dwelling could be found where this would not be true. The search was
finally given up; and things in the little family went on as they had
been going for some time past.

Esther at last, under stress of necessity, made fresh representations
to her father, and besought leave to give lessons. They were running
into debt, with no means of paying. It went sorely against the grain
with the colonel to give his consent; pride and tenderness both
rebelled; he hesitated long, but circumstances were too much for him.
He yielded at last, not with a groan, but with many groans.

'I came here to take care of you,' he said; 'and _this_ is the end of
it!'

'Don't take it so, papa,' cried Esther. 'I like to do it. It is not a
hardship.'

'_It_ is a hardship,' he retorted; 'and you will find it so. I find it
so now.'

'Even so, papa,' said the girl, with infinite sweetness; 'suppose it be
a hardship, the Lord has given it to me; and so long as I am sure it is
something He has given, I want no better. Indeed, papa, you know I
_could have_ no better.'

'I know nothing of the kind. You are talking folly.'

'No, papa, if you please. Just remember,--look here, papa,--here are
the words. Listen: "The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will
give grace and glory; _no good thing will he withhold from them that
walk uprightly_."'

'Do you mean to tell me,' said the colonel angrily, 'that--well, that
all the things that you have not just now, and ought to have, are not
good things?'

'Not good for me, or at least not the _best_, or I should have them.'

This answer was with a smile so absolutely shadowless, that the colonel
found nothing to answer but a groan, which was made up of pain and
pride and pleasure in inscrutable proportions.

The next step was to speak to Miss Fairbairn. That wise woman showed no
surprise, and did not distress Esther with any sympathy; she took it as
the most natural thing in the world that her favourite pupil should
wish to become a teacher; and promised her utmost help. In her own
school there was now no longer any opening; that chance was gone; but
she gave Esther a recommendation in person to the principal of another
establishment, where in consequence Miss Gainsborough found ready
acceptance.

And now indeed she felt herself a stranger, and found herself alone.
This was a different thing from her first entering school as a pupil.
And