r who had
become her nurse. Her first feeling was one of gratitude, blended with
affection. Never before had any one been so devoted to her; never
before had any one appeared to regard her with such a real wish to do
her good.

"What is your name, my dear?" she asked one day, in a feeble voice,
looking up into her face.

A warm flush came over the cheeks of Ellen; her eyes dropped to the
floor. She hesitated for several moments; then she replied in a low
voice--"Ellen."

Mrs. Linden looked at her earnestly, but said nothing in reply.

"Who is this nurse you have been so kind to procure for me?" Mrs.
Linden said to her friend, a few days subsequently. She had gained much
in a short time.

"She is a stranger to me. I never saw her before she came and said that
she had heard that there was a sick lady here who wished a nurse."

"She did?"

"Yes."

"She must be an angel in disguise, then."

"So I should think," returned her friend. "I have never met a lovelier
person. Her face is sweetness itself; her manners are full of ease and
grace, and her heart seems a deep well of love to all."

"Who can she be? Where did she come from? I feel toward her as if she
were my own child."

"But she is only a nurse," said her friend. "Do not forget that, nor
your station in society."

Mrs. Linden shook her head and murmured--"I have never found one like
her in the highest places; no, not even in my own children. Station in
society! Ah! my friend, that delusion has passed."

As Mrs. Linden recovered more and more, Ellen remained with her,
waiting only for a good opportunity to make herself known. She did not
wish to do this until she was sure that she had awakened a feeling of
affection in her mother's bosom.

Mrs. Linden had been sitting up for two or three days, so far had she
recovered, and yet Ellen did not feel that it was safe to venture a
full declaration of the truth.

Up to this time, neither William nor his wife had visited her, nor sent
to inquire about her. This fact Mrs. Linden knew, for she had asked
about it particularly. The name of Charles was never mentioned.

In order to try its effect, Ellen said to her--"You are better now,
Mrs. Linden, and will be well in a little while. You do not need me any
longer. I will leave you to-morrow."

"Leave me!" ejaculated Mrs. Linden. "Oh, no, Ellen, you must not leave
me; I cannot do without you. You must stay with me always."

"You would soon tire of such a one