She was a lively, sociable girl, and not very fond of reading; and except the Miss Flamboroughs and their brother, she seldom saw any young people.

Sir Frederick Renton sometimes visited them; but since he had got an office which his uncle had procured for him in London, he had become a very fine gentleman, and so conceited, he scarcely deigned to notice his former playmate.

Sir Frederick had been prevented from going to college by the embarrassed state of his uncle's affairs, so he could not study the law, as he had intended.

This had soured and disappointed him a great deal, but of late he seemed more reconciled to his fate; for he was much sought after, and petted in London society, where his brilliant conversational powers and handsome person were highly appreciated.

He intended to marry the first heiress he met, when he could find one who would combine sufficient beauty and wealth to make her worthy of so brilliant a parti as himself.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE ORPHAN.

MARY LENNOX most steadily refused to yield to her father's wishes that she should pay a visit to her aunt. She was very miserable and lonely after her mother's death, and longed to see aunt Lucy; but she could not bear to leave her father alone; and she knew besides that he could very ill afford to pay for her journey to the south. For her dear mother's illness had entailed more expenses upon him than he could meet. He had not yet paid the doctor's bill, and

the delay, she knew, preyed upon his mind, and increased his low spirits.

Besides, Mary shrank with a sort of vague dread from being again under the influence of her aunt's fascination, lest she should have to long in vain for that aunt's love and sympathy.

She had a vivid recollection of the suffering she had experienced when that fondly-adored aunt did not seem to love her, and she was certain she should now feel it more deeply still.

She certainly longed to leave Rufyn, because she had never been quite happy there, never in all her life, except during the few days when her aunt Lucy had seemed to love her.

Yet this had not occurred to her until the grief for her mother's death seemed to have awakened her slumbering faculties; and the deeper misery she now felt, made her long more ardently for happiness.

The fact was, her strong will and capacities had been suppressed by bad health, and the want of some person capable to direct and guide her. And as yet she had not energy to strive for that happiness which she sometimes felt she had the power to attain in herself, and in spite of outward circum

stances.

But now, why could not she do something to assist her father? That would make her happy.

She felt within herself that she had the power to become anything,-to learn, or to teach, if she only knew what. She had often composed stories, and related them in twilight hours, to amuse her mother during her long illness.

Supposing she were to write one? She had now plenty of time, for she was no longer obliged to spend the greater part of the day in her mother's sick room.