ortonschool,andsaidheonlyfeared,fromwhathesawandheard,Iwastoogoodforthepladwouldsoonquititforonemoresuitable.

    “Indeed,”criedRosamond,“sheiscleverenoughtobeagovernessinahighfamily,papa.”

    IthoughtIwouldfarratherbewhereIamthaninanyhighfamilyintheland.Mr.OliverspokeofMr.Rivers—oftheRiversfamily—withgreatrespect.Hesaiditwasaveryoldhatneighbourhood;thattheaorsofthehousewerewealthy;thatallMortonhadoncebelohem;thatevennowhesideredtherepresentativeofthathousemight,ifheliked,makeanalliahthebest.Heateditapitythatsofialentedayoungmanshouldhaveformedthedesignofgoingoutasamissionary;itwasquitethrowingavaluablelifeaway.Itappeared,then,thatherfatherwouldthrownoobstathewayofRosamond’sunionwithSt.John.Mr.Oliverevidentlyregardedtheyoungclergyman’sgoodbirth,oldname,andsacredprofessionassuffitpensationforthewantoffortune.

    Itwasthe5thofNovember,andaholiday.Mylittleservant,afterhelpiomyhouse,wasgone,wellsatisfiedwiththefeeofapennyforheraid.Allaboutmeotlessandbright—scouredfloor,polishedgrate,andwell-rubbedchairs.Ihadalsomademyself,andhadnowtheafternoonbeforemetospendasIwould.

    ThetranslationofafewpagesofGermanoccupiedanhour;thenIgotmypaletteandpencils,aothemoresoothing,becauseeasieroccupation,ofpletingRosamondOliver’sminiature.Theheadwasfinishedalready:therewasbutthebackgroundtotintandthedraperytoshadeoff;atouchofcarmioo,toaddtotheripelips—asoftcurlhereaothetresses—adeepertiheshadowofthelashuheazuredeyelid.Iwasabsorbedintheexecutionoftheseails,when,afteronerapidtap,mydoor