his mother--and of mine,
dearest mamma," said the good girl; upon which, and with her usual
tenderness and emotion, the fond widow declared that Laura was a
blessing to her and the best of girls--and I hope no one in this
instance will be disposed to contradict her.

The widow and her daughter had more than one conversation on this
subject; and the elder gave way to the superior reason of the honest and
stronger-minded girl; and indeed, whenever there was a sacrifice to be
made on her part, this kind lady was only too eager to make it. But she
took her own way, and did not loose sight of the end she had in view,
in imparting these new plans to Pen. One day she told him of these
projects, and it who that had formed them; how it was Laura who insisted
upon his going to London and studying; how it was Laura who would
not hear of the--the money arrangements when he came back from
Oxbridge--being settled just then: how it was Laura whom he had to
thank, if indeed he thought that he had to go.

At that news Pen's countenance blazed up with pleasure, and he hugged
his mother to his heart with an ardour that I fear disappointed the fond
lady; but she rallied when he said, "By Heaven! she is a noble girl, and
may God Almighty bless her mother! I have been wearing myself away for
months here, longing to work, and not knowing how. I've been fretting
over the thoughts of my shame, and my debts, and my past cursed
extravagance and follies. I've suffered infernally. My heart has been
half broken--never mind about that. If I can get a chance to redeem
the past, and to do my duty to myself and the best mother in the world,
indeed, indeed, I will. I'll be worthy of you yet. Heaven bless you! God
bless Laura! Why isn't she here, that I may go and thank her?" Pen
went on with more incoherent phrases; paced up and down the room,
drank glasses of water, jumped about his mother with a thousand
embraces--began to laugh--began to sing--was happier than she had seen
him since he was a boy--since he had tasted of the fruit of that awful
Tree of Life, which, from the beginning, has tempted all mankind.

Laura was not at home. Laura was on a visit to the stately Lady
Rockminster, daughter to my Lord Bareacres, sister to the late Lady
Pontypool, and by consequence a distant kinswoman of Helen's, as her
ladyship, who was deeply versed in genealogy, was graciously to point
out to the modest country lady. Mr. Pen was greatly delighted at the
relati