d you'll give it the right name. What do
_I_ know of the world, save from guide and road books? and, from the
little I have gleaned, many a village would be pleasanter to me than
Paris."

"More philosophy, sir. You perceive what a treasure of wisdom is about
to be intrusted to your charge."

"Pray bear that in mind, sir," said Clara, with a light laugh; "and
don't forget that though the casket has such a leaden look, it is all
pure gold."

Never was poor Stocmar so puzzled before. He felt sailing between
two frigates in action, and exposed to the fire of each, though a
non-combatant; nor was it of any use that he hauled down his flag, and
asked for mercy,--they only loaded and banged away again.

"I must say," cried he at last, "that I feel very proud of my ward."

"And I am charmed with my guardian," said she, courtesy-ing, with an air
that implied far more of grace than sincerity in its action.

Mrs. Morris bit her lip, and a small red spot on her cheek glowed like a
flame.

"I have explained fully to Mr. Stocmar, Clara," said she, in a cold,
calm tone, "that from to-morrow forward your allegiance will be
transferred from _me_ to _him_; that with him will rest all
authority and direction over you; that, however interested--naturally
interested--I must continue to feel in your future, _he_, and _he_
alone, must be its arbiter. I repeat this now, in his presence, that
there may be no risk of a misconception."

"Am I to write to you, mamma?" asked the girl, in a voice unmoved as her
own.

"Yes, you will write; that is, I shall expect to hear from you in reply
to my letters. This we will talk over together."

"Am I to correspond with you, sir?" said she, addressing Stocmar in the
same impassive way.

"Oh! by all means. I shall take it as the greatest of favors. I shall be
charmed if you will honor me so far."

"I ask, sir," continued she, "because I may chance to have companions
in the place to which I am going; and, even to satisfy _their_ scruples,
one ought to have some belongings."

There was not the shadow of irritation in the manner in which these
words were spoken; and yet Stocmar heard them with a strange thrill of
pity, and Mrs. Morris grew pale as she listened to them.

"Clara," said Mrs. Morris, gravely, "there are circumstances in our
relations to each other which you will only learn when we have parted. I
have committed them to writing for your own eye alone. They will explain
the urgency o