d her mother:--

The Close, March 19, 186--.

DEAR SISTER STANBURY,

After much consideration, I think it best to send under
cover to you the enclosed letter from Mr. Brooke Burgess,
intended for your daughter Dorothy. You will see that I
have opened it and read it,--as I was clearly entitled to
do, the letter having been addressed to my niece while she
was supposed to be under my care. I do not like to destroy
the letter, though, perhaps, that would be best; but I
would advise you to do so, if it be possible, without
shewing it to Dorothy. I have told Mr. Brooke Burgess what
I have done.

I have also told him that I cannot sanction a marriage
between him and your daughter. There are many reasons of
old date,--not to speak of present reasons also,--which
would make such a marriage highly inexpedient. Mr. Brooke
Burgess is, of course, his own master, but your daughter
understands completely how the matter stands.

Yours truly,

JEMIMA STANBURY.

"What a wicked old woman!" said Priscilla. Then there arose a
question whether they should read Brooke's letter, or whether they
should give it unread to Dorothy. Priscilla denounced her aunt in
the strongest language she could use for having broken the seal.
"'Clearly entitled,'--because Dorothy had been living with her!"
exclaimed Priscilla. "She can have no proper conception of honour
or of honesty. She had no more right to open Dorothy's letter than
she had to take her money." Mrs. Stanbury was very anxious to read
Brooke's letter, alleging that they would then be able to judge
whether it should be handed over to Dorothy. But Priscilla's sense of
right would not admit of this. Dorothy must receive the letter from
her lover with no further stain from unauthorised eyes than that to
which it had been already subjected. She was called in, therefore,
from the kitchen, and the whole packet was given to her. "Your aunt
has read the enclosure, Dolly; but we have not opened it."

Dorothy took the packet without a word and sat herself down. She
first read her aunt's letter very slowly. "I understand perfectly,"
she said, folding it up, almost listlessly, while Brooke's letter lay
still unopened on her lap. Then she took it up, and held it awhile in
both hands, while her mother and Priscilla watched her. "Priscilla,"
she said, "do you read it first."

Priscilla was immediately at her side, kissing her. "No, my