ry will never relate. But half-sovereigns were very few and very
precious at The Dales. It was almost impossible to get any money out of
Mr. Dale; he did not seem to know that there was such a thing as money.
If it was put into his hand by any chance, he spent it on books. Betty's
wages were terribly in arrears. She wanted her wages, but she was too
generous, with all her faults, to press for them. But, all the same, the
touch of the gold in her hand was distinctly soothing, and Miss Tredgold
immediately rose in her estimation. A lady who produced at will golden
half-sovereigns, and who was reckless enough to declare that one of these
treasures might be spent on a single meal, was surely not a person to be
sniffed at. Betty therefore stumbled to her feet.

"I beg your pardon, I'm sure, ma'am; and it's badly we does want some
things here. I'll get what I can, although the notice is short, and the
dook's nuptials, so to speak, at the door."

"What!" said Miss Tredgold.

"I beg your pardon again, ma'am, but my head aches and I'm a bit
confused. I'm reading a most wonderful account of the wedding of the Dook
of Mauleverer-Wolverhampton."

"I never heard of him."

"He's marrying a young girl quite in my own station of life--one that was
riz from the cottage to the governess-ship, and from the governess-ship
to the ducal chair. My head is full of Her Grace, ma'am, and you'll
excuse me if I didn't rightly know to whom I had the honor of talking.
I'll do what I can. And perhaps you'd like to borrow one of my dip
candles for the present night."

"I should very much," said Miss Tredgold. "And please understand, Betty--I
think you said your name was Betty--please understand that if you are on
my side I shall be on your side. I have come here meaning to stay, and in
future there will be a complete change in this establishment. You will
receive good wages, paid on the day they are due. There will be plenty of
money and plenty of food in the house, and the cook who pleases me stays,
and the cook who displeases me goes. You understand?"

"Sakes!" muttered Betty, "it's nearly as exciting as the doocal
romance.--Well, ma'am, I'm of your way of thinking; and here's your
candle."

CHAPTER V.

IN THE STUDY.

Miss Tredgold was the sort of woman who never let the grass grow under
her feet. She felt, therefore, altogether out of place at The Dales, for
at The Dales there was time for everything. "Time enough" was the motto