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much enjoy serving any one, but it is more pleasant not to be placed below one's inferior. I have always observed, too, that those who are employed by Sir Mark appear thoroughly to respect him, and to have a pride in the honour of the firm, which gilds the whole with a certain sort of commercial romance.'

'And yet he looks a very hard sort of impassive man; perhaps I am so cold myself that he freezes me the more.'

'I did not find him hard or cold to-day,' replied Mordaunt; 'simply brief, candid, business-like, which was as well. There was no question of giving or receiving a favour, but a quiet matter-of-fact bargain. 'You want employment; I think you may suit me; time will prove that; do your duty, and I will do mine. This is all I can offer now, but do well, and you are sure of promotion.' He spoke like a gentleman, and treated me as such. That is his character, I believe. He has no favourites, is distant with all, but never insolent, never forgets the rights or feelings of others.'

'I am so thankful, Dauntless,' said Jane, carried back to their youthful days by his animation. 'But how did you come here?'

'Why, certainly, it is not a short way home, but it was impossible to resist the desire of seeing you and relieving your anxiety for our success. No one at home knew the errand upon which I went to the city, therefore there were no quivering nerves to quiet there, and I came straight from Sir Mark's presence to yours.'

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'When do you begin your new career ?'

On Monday-in which I shall rejoice; for after all, I can scarcely relish freedom now, and we have many sources of annoyance and repining at home. Mrs. Cuthbert's lenity towards Laura is fast disappearing, since she finds her lot so much less brilliant than she expected.'

'I was told that Mr. Hopley's own property was very scanty, his habits expensive, and a reconciliation with his family for the present remote. If so, poor Laura's punishment is sure to be visited upon her ere long.'

That is anything but an exaggerated picture of the case. I fear they will find it convenient to sue for forgiveness from us; Mrs. Cuthbert will not, of course, hear of our refusing it, and we shall be forced into associating intimately with those of whom I, for one,

so strongly disapprove. Eve is so unlike Laura, or I should still more object to the intercourse; but I don't think she could influence her to evil.'

'Come and see Mr. Carisbroke,' said Jane, suddenly breaking off the conversation, and carrying him with her to the library. That was a pleasant afternoon to Mordaunt, full of new hopes as to his position, and in the enjoyment of the society he loved-only Eve's presence was wanting. He thought of that as he drove rapidly to the station in the clear moonlight; and during his brief journey home he was cheered by the prospect of the gladness he could diffuse there by his tidings. Eve needed it, for the day had passed very mournfully with her. Her mother incessantly complained and scolded her, and her own mind was equally clamorous. What can you do, Eve,' it asked, 'to help him?' She revolved scheme after scheme in vain. What could she do, with her desultory sort of education, her want of perseverance, her youth? She looked at her small white fingers, and then actually clenched them in a sort of despair at their uselessness. One thing only they could do, and that was to smooth away from her cousin's

path the household briers which beset it, in the shape of pins, needles, cap-wires, scissors, bits of ribbons, buttons, thread, and even articles of dress, with which Mrs. Cuthbert was wont to adorn the sitting-room. Half-a-dozen

times did she rearrange it as the evening stole on; as often poke the fire into a blaze, although her mother told her she was wasting coals, and they might, and indeed would probably, never be able to buy more. Still Eve persisted in her attempts to make all look more cheerful-all but herself; and she, as time wore away, grew paler and more anxious. Eight, nine, half-past nine! where could he be ?

'What is the use of keeping this coffee waiting here for him?' asked Mrs. Cuthbert, peevishly; he can't want it at this hour; and if he does, it would be a good lesson to him not to behave in such an inconsiderate manner.'

'Oh, mamma! when, perhaps, he has spent his whole day in a fruitless search after employment, and comes home exhausted and sick at heart.'

'Nonsense, Eve, you are a child. He'll have had plenty of enjoyment wherever he is. Men don't make such martyrs of themselves. It is

us poor women, who sit at home fretting and toiling from morning till night, who are to be pitied, not them-a selfish set. I have no patience with them!'

Here an energetic movement of Mrs. Cuthbert's elbow upset her work-basket, and the briers were scattered far and wide over the floor and table. A very-yes, alas! a very impatient exclamation burst from her daughter's lips, as she flew to gather them up once more. Mrs. Cuthbert, highly indignant at the reproach, was still obliged to hold the candle; and so busy and excited were they, that they heard nothing of Mordaunt's arrival till he suddenly put his hands before the pretty eyes which were peering so eagerly over the carpet, and asked what all this was about. The action, the laugh, were so unusual, that Eve sprang up alarmed, and even Mrs. Cuthbert set down the candlestick with a rather grave air of dignity, suspicion, and rebuke.

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Why, where have you been so long?' asked Eve, reassured, and yet puzzled by a glance at the handsome face, which she hardly knew in its cheerful aspect.

'You could not possibly guess, if you were to sit up all night to try.'

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