said she was quite independent, and might do what she pleased, and marry who she chose-and what a good thing it would be if she would marry somebody or other-I forget who- -What are you laughing at, Esther?" "Miss Esther is amused at your gossip, my child," said the 66 nurse, as well she may be." "Well, but nurse, what do you mean by saying, Miss Armadale is a poor dependant?" "Come to me and I will tell you." The children ran to her directly, and Margaret looked at the fire. "Is she not dependent," said nurse Wilton, for the air she breathes, the sunshine she walks in, the bread that gives her life, the health that gives her liberty? does she not owe everything to her Father in Heaven? does she not receive it from His hand, and ask it as His blessing? and if He chose, could He not take it all away? Though she is a rich and powerful lady, they say, with a dozen servants at her command, all her riches and all her power could not help her, if God chose to make her unhappy: He could make all her money fail, all her servants leave her, all her friends forget her: He could make her heart ache with trouble, and her cheek pale with sickness, and at any moment He pleases, He can call her to appear before Him in judgment, to give account of the use she has made of His gifts. Is not this to be a poor dependant?" "Yes, indeed," said Rose, thoughtfully," but what is the use then of being rich ?" "To do good to the poor," replied the nurse. "Oh then I should like to be rich!" cried Rory, clapping his hands, "I would take such care of you, and I would be so kind to Esther, I would"-repeated he, jumping again on Margaret's knee-" Why, I declare, nurse, she's crying!" "Run off, Master Rory-run off, little girls," said nurse Wilton, "go and play in the next room, quick! !" The children obeyed immediately, and the nurse, approaching Margaret, humbly begged her pardon if she had said anything that hurt her feelings. "Hurt my feelings!" repeated Margaret, with glistening eyes-"I have to thank you, nurse, for a lesson I shall not soon forget." Nurse Wilton looked at her anxiously. "You're young to have seen so much trouble," she said, "and you must have a free sort of a spirit, or your face would not look so bright and fair through it all. I hope you'll excuse my talking to you in this way, miss but I don't know, I warmed to you directly I saw you come in, looking so lovely and modest like I know what trouble is myself, and I can feel with those who are just beginning it, and little know what's coming!" : "Have you suffered much, then?" asked Margaret, with great interest. "I've had my share, ma'am," said Wilton, quietly, "not a stroke too many: may you never learn the truth, Miss Esther, as I learnt it... at last!" "I should like to know your trouble, perhaps I G could help you; indeed you may trust me-" said Margaret, eagerly. "And so I will, miss, some day-not that I look for help from you, bless your kind heart, you want help yourself: and that reminds me, Miss Esther,whenever you like to sit quiet by the fire, or whenever you want any little thing done for you, if you'll make free to step in here, I shall only be too glad." "Be sure I will," said the heiress, shaking her hand warmly," and many thanks for your kindness. Now I must go to my lady, or she will wonder what is become of me." Margaret found her lady under the hands of Nisbett, and both their faces brightened on seeing her come in. She silenced all their fears; refreshed their memories, which was highly necessary; and all three felt much the better for a good laugh at their own success. "But Antoine, ma'am," said Nisbett, "Antoine is dreadfully sulky: I don't know what to do with him : he cross-questioned me so closely as to whether you were comfortable, I was obliged to tell him the truth; and he burst out with a string of French words, that I am afraid, ma'am, sounded dreadfully like swearing!" Well, no one could understand him, that is one comfort," said Margaret. "You must use all your ingenuity, Nisbett, and just hint that if he interferes at all, and spoils my plan, I shall be obliged to send him back to town." 66 "I will, ma'am," said Nisbett, "and I am sure that will stop his mouth, if anything will. Miss Martin, ma'am-Miss Armadale-I beg pardon, just let me arrange that ribbon : you have got it on the wrong side outwards, and if you please ma'am, the cameo brooch will look best:-oh now, ma'am, you have tumbled your hair-do allow me-" "Heighho!" sighed Miss Martin, looking gloomily at her young lady, "how long is all this mummery to last?" "It must last a little longer, Martin dear, no one could play a part better than you do: so now we will go down to breakfast, and be sure you lose no opportunity of giving me the cold shoulder." "You may be quite easy on that score, my dear," said Miss Martin, drily, it is the only part of the business I really enjoy." CHAPTER III. Though round its base the rolling clouds are spread, GOLDSMITH. HE dining-room looked considerably more comfortable under the influence of a good fire, and a luxurious breakfast, than when Margaret had visited it in the early morning. Miss Martin having been welcomed with acclamations, and placed in the best seat, everybody seemed anxious to find something to offer her; even Mr. Ferdinand condescended to bring her ham and chicken from the side-board, and then seated himself by her side to enchant her with his conversation. Alfred politely placed a chair for Margaret, and then quite unconsciously sat down in it himself; for which Jack laughed at him without mercy, and Nelson immediately gave the young lady his. Mrs. Crawford saw this, and whether she thought Margaret's nerves required gentle treatment, we do not know, but certainly the cup of tea she sent her was of the gentlest possible description: and Miss Martin, as it passed her, could not refrain from a smile. "That seems very |