r to Lady Hester.

"Or rather, what I might have suffered," interposed Lady Hester, "but
for the fortunate accident of your coming. A few moments back, as I
stood shivering beneath the storm, I little thought that I should owe
my rescue to a countrywoman. May I learn the name of one to whom I am so
deeply indebted?"

"Dalton, madam," said Nelly; and then with a slight confusion, added,
"we ought, perhaps, to tell the circumstances which induced my sister to
be abroad at such an hour."

"She knows it all," broke in Kate, "and can the more readily forgive it,
as it was her own errand. But will not this lady come near the fire?"
said she, addressing Mademoiselle Celestiue, who, as she followed the
rest into the humble chamber, was bestowing a most depreciatory glance
upon the place, the furniture, and the people.

"It is only my maid," said Lady Hester, carelessly. "And now it is time
I should introduce myself, and say that Lady Hester Onslow owes you all
her gratitude." Ellen courtesied respectfully at the announcement, but
Kate Dalton's cheek colored slightly, and she bent a look of more than
common admiration at the handsome figure of the stranger. An innate
reverence for rank and title was rooted in her heart, and she was
overjoyed to think that their chance acquaintance should be one of that
class so distinctively marked out for honor. Prepared to admire every
grace and fascination of the high-born, Kate watched with eager and
delighted looks the slightest gestures, the least traits of manner, of
the fashionable beauty. They were all attractions to which her heart
gave a ready response. The accent in which she spoke, the careless
elegance of her attitude as she lay back in her chair, the charming
negligence with which she wore the little portions of dress exchanged
for her own, were all inimitable graces in the eye of the simple girl.

As for Lady Hester, accustomed to all the servile offices of her own
attendants, to be punctiliously obeyed and waited on, it was yet a new
sensation to watch the zealous and eager devotion with which the two
sisters ministered to her wants. In utter forgetfulness of themselves,
they had brought forth the little resources of their humble wardrobe,
too happy, as it seemed, when they saw their services so willingly
accepted. Fortunately, they did not perceive the contemptuous looks
with which "mademoiselle" regarded their attentions, nor overheard
her exclamation of "Mon Dieu! where