ork to tranqu

be a nurse!" she so

d me so?" sighed Phillis, almost in despair at her sister's impracticability.

aking girls, with plenty to say for themselves, lady-like, and well-bred. Who would have thought that, when weighed in the balance

nking; but I am destitute of accomplishments: my knowledge of languages is purely superficial. We are equal to other girls,-just young ladies, an

aid theory in view. "I am good at it myself," she continued, modestly, feeling that, in this case, self-praise was allowable. "We might be com

swer to Phillis, who went at once into a brown

a. I think it very possible that either you or I, Nan,-or both, perhaps,-might find something in that li

ike to be overlooked, inherent in most young people. "And it is I who have

round. If Nan and I were away, it would never do for you and mother to live at the Friary. We could not afford a servant, and we should want the forty pounds a year to pay for bare necessaries; for our salary would not be

help us to any decision? How are you and I to go away and live luxuriously in other people's houses, and leave mother and Dulce pining in two shabby little rooms, with nothing to do, and perhaps not enough to eat, and moth

ned Phillis, in an

ther hesitating

d Nan, with a sudden yearning towards even that very shabby ark of refuge: "if we could

Phillis's curt observation: but th

ifully. It is all very well to say we have no accomplishments," went on Nan, with apathetic little laugh, "but you know that no other girls work as we do. We have always made our own dr

mien, and her eyes were glistening,-"dear Nan, do you love us all so that you cou

for her sisters induce her voluntarily to give him up? Phillis, who was q

could bear to set society at defiance, to submit to be sent to Coventry for our sakes; to d

as to give up; but what could Phillis mean? "We are all fond of society; we are like other girls,

will be a great sacrifice and cost us all tremendous efforts. But if we are to keep a roof over our heads, if we are to live togeth

implored Dulce, feeling that all he

see you have some sort of plan in your head. There is nothing,-nothing," she continued, more firmly, "that I would not

coward myself. Yes; I have a plan; but you have yourself pu

Lady Fi

aine once told me that we were the best-dressed girls in the neighborhood, and she wished Carrie looked half as well. I am telling you this, not from vanity, but because I do believe we can turn our one talent to account. W

n needlework, only looked at her sister with mute gravity; her little world was turned so comple

!" she repea

er; here at least was something striking and original; she took no notice of Dulce's shocked exclamation; she fixed her eyes solemnly on Nan. "Yes, yes; what does it matter what the outside world says? We are not like other girls; we never were; people always said we were so origi

y; "and what do we care about Miss Monks, if the creature be dead,

de an eloquent pause. "Our last tenant for the Friary was Miss Monks, and Miss Monks was a dressmaker; and, thoug

rom her face: her pretty color had quite faded during the last half-hour. "I 59 think if you would

cur to me. We will not say anything to mother just yet, until we have thoroughly digested our plan. You and I, Nan, will run down to

that Dick and his belongings would be safe in the Engadine by that time. "But,

," she continued, cheerfully. "The good folk of Hadleigh will be rather surprised when they see our pretty rooms. No horse-hair sofa; no crochet antimacassars or hideous wax flowers; none of the usual stock

all, in what you say," was Nan's respons

ith 'Challoner, dressmaker,' on it?" she observed, indignantly. A red

e at the Library, or put cards in the shops. I do not think mo

f Dick standing at the gate, ruefully contemplating their name-her

thing, you know. How would you like to make a dress for Mrs. Squails, Phil?" asked Dulce, with the malevolent desire of making

ttle thing. Do you think any work can degrade us or that we s

rcels?" per

in halls, I don't think any one will ask me to do that, as I should desire to be shown into a room at once; and as for Mrs

the droop of her lip was pite

ood of making ourselves more miserable than we need? If you prefer the two littl

don't leave me!" s

how comfortable we should be!" she went on, with judicious word-painting. "We should all be together,-that is the great thing. Then we could talk

is, and five-o'clock tea, and the company of their youn

ea-shore. Of course we must have exercise and recreation, I am afraid we shall have to do without society, for no one wil

in Nan; and now the t

herself. She got up in a litt

es, and even make gowns for Mrs. Squails,-than lose you both. I will be good. I will not worry you any mo

bye; and I want to ask you both particularly not to say a word to him about this. Let him go away and enjoy himself, and think we are goi

now to bed,-to bed," 61 she continued, in a voice of enforced cheerfulness; and then they all ki

connected the two rooms. Nan closed this carefully, when she had ascertained that Mrs. Challoner was still sl

ick would come and say good-bye? and here Nan broke down, and had such a fit of crying as she had not had sinc

her eyes; and she had scarcely done so before drowsiness crept over her, and she knew no more until she found the sunshine floodin

t moment she remembered the outburst of the previous night, and wondered with some dismay what Dick would think of her pale cheeks and the reddened lines round her eyes, and only hope

he asked in some surprise, for the Challoners we

iving him her hand without looking at him, and yet Dick show

ng you all to myself this last morning. But what's up, Nan? you don't seem quite up to the mark. You are palish, you know, and––" here Dick paused in paine

the pause and

domestic worry that wanted putting to right," stammered 62 Na

" as though she cared for such rubbish as that; as though any amount could make her cry,-her, his bright, high spirited Na

eyes, and hesitated. Was it not Dick who had told her that anecdote about the queen, or was it Lothair? and did not a certain meaning

we shall not see each other for months;" And Nan moved towards the veranda

ou do not know; and then we shall see, ah, Nan, my––" He paused as Phillis's step entered the room, and said hurriedly, in a low voice, "Good-bye; I will not go in

rprise as her sister came through the open win

. It was over now, and she was ready for anything. "Take care of yourself for my sake, Nan!"-that was ringing in her ear