nd I can aid him, I will do so. Degraded and
fallen though he be, my love will not shrink from him. I will help him to
rise."

"You are a noble woman, Agnes," he said with a sad smile, "God protect
you!" and he left me.

As he went out, I heard him order the carriage. The serving-man came for
my luggage, and I summoned courage to pay a farewell visit to Herbert.

The poor little invalid became very much excited at seeing me, and clung
so tightly about my neck that it was with effort I could leave. I did not
then inform him of my intended departure, and with an aching heart and
forced smile I parted from the dear sufferer.

I met Mary in the hall; she told me Mr. Bristed had ordered her to
accompany me on my journey.

I did not want her company, my mind craved solitude; I would not have
her. I sought her master, and told him so. "At a time like this I must be
alone," said I, excitedly; "I want no spy upon my actions. I will go
wherever you wish me to go, but let me proceed alone."

"Well," said he, musingly, "I desire but to serve you. Go to the town of
M., present this letter according to its directions. You refuse my
further aid, but if ever you need a friend, send for me; otherwise, I
will never trouble you."

I answered that I would do as he requested, and with a heavy heart
entered his carriage, which was waiting to drive me to the railway
station.

CHAPTER IX.

I will pass over my journey, and the lonely, miserable days which
succeeded my arrival in M. I made fruitless effort to obtain service, and
waited and watched for an application in my dreary lodgings until my
small hoard of wages was nigh exhausted.

I had been in the city a fortnight, broken in spirit and dejected by want
of success, when I happened to bethink me of the letter Mr. Bristed had
given me.

I took it from its undisturbed nook in my trunk, and having read the
superscription, set about to find the party to whom it was addressed. The
direction led me to a large manufacturing establishment.

The gentleman to whom it was written appeared to be a foreigner. Having
presented the epistle to him, he perused it hastily, then taking my hand
with great eagerness, he exclaimed:

"O Mees! I am greatly honored. Mons. Bristeed is my very good friend; I
well acquaint with him in Paris. I congratulate you on having one so
grand a gentleman for your acquaintance. He tell me you look for a
school."

"Yes, sir," said I, glad to find my ta