from not being able to procure a good reference, and
from not having already served in that capacity. At last I was taken
into a family to bring up three little girls; but I soon found out how
little chance I had of comfort. The lady had objected to me as too
good-looking--for this same reason the gentleman insisted upon my being
engaged.

"Thus was I a source of disunion; the lady treated me with harshness,
and the gentleman with too much attention. At last her ill-treatment and
his persecution, were both so intolerable, that I gave notice that I
should leave my situation."

"I beg pardon, Miss Ellen, but you will oblige me with the name and
residence of that gentleman?" said O'Brien.

"Indeed, Ellen, do no such thing," replied I; "continue your story."

"I could not obtain another situation as governess; for, as I always
stated where I had been, and did not choose to give the precise reason
for quitting, merely stating that I was not comfortable, whenever the
lady was called upon for my character, she invariably spoke of me so as
to prevent my obtaining a situation. At last I was engaged as teacher to
a school. I had better have taken a situation as housemaid. I was
expected to be everywhere, to do everything; was up at daylight, and
never in bed till past midnight; fared very badly, and was equally ill
paid; but still it was honest employment, and I remained there for more
than a year; but, though as economical as possible, my salary would not
maintain me in clothes and washing, which was all I required. There was
a master of elocution, who came every week, and whose wife was the
teacher of music. They took a great liking to me, and pointed out how
much better I should be off if I could succeed on the stage, of which
they had no doubt. For months I refused, hoping still to have some
tidings of you; but at last my drudgery became so insupportable, and my
means so decreased, that I unwillingly consented. It was then nineteen
months since I had heard of you, and I mourned you as dead. I had no
relations except my uncle, and I was unknown even to him. I quitted the
situation, and took up my abode with the teacher of elocution and his
wife, who treated me with every kindness, and prepared me for my new
career. Neither at the school, which was three miles from London, nor at
my new residence, which was over Westminster-bridge, did I ever see a
newspaper. It was no wonder, therefore, that I did not know of your
advertis