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morning at home; and having asked Agnes to sit with her, amused her with many anecdotes of the society in which she mixed. Before dinner that evening Mrs. Grant and Agnes were in the drawing-room waiting the arrival of Mr. Grant and his guest. Agnes's present position recalled to her mind the days she had spent at Ferncliffe Hall. As she looked round the luxuriously furnished apartment, and glanced at the exquisitely laid-out garden, there seemed but little difference; but she could not feel the same.

Mrs. Grant, though everything that was considerate and affable, of course could never be to Agnes as the friend whom she had lost. She had lived more in the world than Edith had, and she had a certain formality of manner which Agnes found rather chilling, as she had never been accustomed to it.

As she was thus pondering, the gentlemen entered. The visitor was a tall pleasing-looking young gentleman of about eight-and-twenty. Mrs. Grant introduced him to Agnes as "Sir Charles-;" she did not quite catch the second name, but she thought it sounded very like "Errington !"

Could it be possible that she was in company with Edith's husband? She suddenly thought of what Mrs. Grant had told her, and felt convinced that it must be so. Each circumstance, as she considered it again and again, pointed to the same conclusion. She wished that she had seen Sir Charles Errington during his stay at Ferncliffe.

During dinner she heard him continually addressed as "Sir Charles;" but as his family name was not mentioned, her anxiety and excitement increased; for she was obliged to wait till she was alone with Mrs. Grant to ascertain the truth. The idea fastened more and more upon her mind, and she clung to the hope that her surmise was not without foundation. Could she speak to him? Could she ask him news of Edith? But remembering her position, she felt that it would appear strange and almost impertinent in her to address such questions to a total stranger.

She anxiously listened for any words that might drop, which would in the slightest degree confirm her hopes; but all in vain. After dinner Agnes learned from Mrs. Grant that the name was "Meriton," and she felt more disappointed than she could have imagined possible. She then asked if Mrs. Grant had ever met with or heard of Lady Errington."

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"Lady Errington? Let me see," said she; "not that I know of; but O, stop; now I think of it, I did see a lady of that name at Harwood Court."

"What did you think of her?" eagerly inquired Agnes.

"I did not see much of her, but she gave me the impression of being a very agreeable old lady."

"Old lady! O, that is not the person I mean; it must be Sir Charles Errington's mother that you have met."

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"O, very likely; then you are acquainted with the young baronet's wife; I never heard that he was married.”

"I used to know her before she was married, but have not seen her for some time.”

Having said this, Agnes relapsed into silent thought; and Mrs. Grant, seeing that she was disinclined to converse on the subject, did not intrude any further questions upon her.

Agnes had never, when in conversation with this lady, alluded to her past history, as she could not well do so, without entering into very painful particulars. Mrs. Grant had observed her silence in this respect, and though somewhat curious to learn the circumstances under which she had been acquainted with Lady Errington, forbore again to introduce the subject.

This little incident was all that happened to interest the reader during many months of Agnes's now happy and quiet life at Oakley House.

Her talent for teaching and guiding children was great, and Mrs. Grant soon learnt to prize her, as one whom it would be difficult, if not impossible, to replace. Apart from the grateful feeling which she had for the person who rendered such inestimable services to her children, she took a personal interest in the graceful and amiable girl, who seemed so friendless and unthought of. There was also something a little mysterious about her (and mystery is always fascinating), which tempted while it repelled inquiry. Little less than idolised by her pupils, appreciated by their parents,

and respected by all around her, it seemed as though some at least of the dark clouds that overshadowed her life were beginning to be dispelled.

Agnes frequently heard from Rose, and the affectionate child's long letters were a source of the greatest delight to her.

M

CHAPTER XVIII.

ONCE MORE ADRIFT.

"It is good for us to have sometimes troubles and adversities; for they make a man enter into himself, that he may know that he is in a state of banishment, and may not place his hopes in anything of this world."-THOMAS A'KEMPIS.

As the water-lily, rudely separated from its fair companions, floats for a time on the bosom of the placid stream, unaware of the path before it, and is then suddenly dashed from rock to rock amidst the waters of the foaming cataract, so on the stream of life are the suffering and lonely permitted for a time to rest, before the storm again rises and overpowers them with its deluge of afflictions; of which it has a variety as numberless as its victims. How often does it happen that repose is given to us solely for the purpose of preparing us for future struggles!

Agnes, do not forget, in the peace you how enjoy, that you are a lonely and suffering one, and that though the stream of your life is now calm, the waters may be again ruffled,-perhaps indeed the precipice is but a few steps in advance.

Nearly two years had elapsed since Agnes first come to reside in Mrs. Grant's family. She had

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