CHAPTER XVIII.

CONCLUSION.

TOWARDS the close of the evening, Mary, drawing her chair near to the Farmer and Mrs. Thorpe, said,

"I must tell you, my dear uncle and aunt, of a
letter I received yesterday morning. I did not like
to mention it before, as it might disturb the thoughts
of my
cousins from the serious subject on which I
knew they were and ought to be occupied. But as
it will be necessary to answer it to-morrow, I must
now inform you of its contents. The letter is from
me the offer of a

Miss Howard, and is to make
situation which she thinks will suit me, if I like to
accept it. She has spoken of me to a lady who is
willing to take me on Miss Howard's recommenda-
tion and they only wait for my reply to settle it."
"Oh! Mary," interrupted Jane and Bessy, "pray
do not leave us! pray, pray, do not think of it.
Do, father, do, mother, prevent her going."

1

"Wait a little," said Mrs. Thorpe, "till we hear what it is that has been offered to Mary."

"Miss Wilmot, an elderly lady," replied Mary, "is in want of a person to wait on her as her maid, and also to assist her in many things she is no longer able to do entirely herself. She therefore requires a strong, active, and healthy person, one that can read and write tolerably, and is thoroughly trustworthy. As to these matters, Miss Howard is kind enough to answer for me. I have often heard Miss Wilmot spoken of; she was a great friend of Miss Howard's mother, and Miss Howard has sometimes been to visit and stay a few days with her. I believe she is an excellent person, very charitable, and good and kind to everybody."

"Well, Mary, and what is your wish?" asked the Farmer, after a short pause.

"To accept it, certainly, if you and my aunt approve," replied Mary, taking a hand of each. "Much as I have enjoyed your kindness since I have been under your roof, I must not allow myself to continue a burden upon you while I have health and strength to earn my own living. And this situation is far beyond what I had ever dared to hope for."

Jane and Bessy were breathlessly waiting their father's answer, and Mrs. Thorpe forbore to speak till her husband had given his opinion.

After a little time, he said in a very kind tone, and still keeping hold of her hand,

66

Mary is a very good and sensible girl, and I believe she judges rightly in this; though I could never have found in my heart to give her a hint to go from us; and very sorry I shall be to part with her."

"So shall we all," said Mrs. Thorpe ; "and if I listened only to my own wishes, I would keep her and look upon her as one of my own children. But I know I ought not to gainsay what she and her uncle have said. I hope, however, she will always remember that while we live and prosper, she will always have a home to come to when she wants one."

Mary. "Thank you, thank you! dear, kind parents, as you have proved yourselves to me in my hour of need."

Mrs. Thorpe. "But, Mary dear, you are not going to leave us quite immediately, I hope ?"

Mary. "Miss Howard says I may stay yet three weeks or a month, but she hopes I shall be quite ready to go by that time."

"Make it a month, then," said Jane and Bessy. "And do come and see us whenever you can," said the Farmer.

Mary. "Miss Wilmot has been so kind as to promise Miss Howard that I should have a little time every year to go and see my friends; and I doubt not I may be able in each to spend a fortnight with you."

They were all very sad at the thought of the

approaching separation. But Mary was one who never hesitated about doing what she felt to be right. And her relations comforted themselves with the reflection that it was for her good, and that she had a very comfortable prospect.

It will be believed, the conversations that had passed between them were often remembered with great satisfaction at Linden Grange.

THE END.

BATH PRINTED BY BINNS AND GOODWIN.