It was kind, very kind, of Mr. Sidney thus to offer me an asylum. What claim had I—a second cousin?—that degree of relationship which varies with the rank and station of the kinsman; which in the peer or peeress is brought into such close consanguinity, but which, in the humble dependent like myself, is ever regarded as "a distant branch of the family." It was with a heavy heart that I put myself and my very small packages into the hackney-coach which was to convey me to my cousin's. I arrived there at eleven o'clock at night, although I had been invited to dinner. Let none marvel that governesses, dependent relatives, and humble companions,-all indeed who come on sufferance, should select that same late hour for entering on their strange abode. They come in the hope that the friendly obscurity may conceal the swollen eye-lid, the cheek yet blistering with the tears they have shed on quitting the paternal roof for the first time, or on leaving the adopted home dearer to them, perchance, than the home of their youth: there is the hope too, they may escape, for that one night at least, the peering gaze of curiosity, or the cold supercilious glance of fancied preeminence, or inflated self-satisfaction; above all, there is the hope of being at once ushered to their own room, for even in the stranger's house there is one apartment such dare call their own, the room sacred to repose, the penetralia into which none may intrude, where, unheeded and unrebuked, their tears may flow;-and in that solitary chamber did I weep as none but those who have lost their all can weep. CHAPTER II. Casa mia, casa mia Tu mi pari una badia. But to live With those, whose ev'ry word and gesture thrill With heaven-ward patience and submission meek; This earth were heav'n, and nothing left to wish. ELIZABETH SMITH. BUT with the coming day, brighter-happier thoughts arise. The room looks more cheerful when the warm rays of the morning sun are beaming on it; yet, far more than aught else, the necessity for exertion, the feeling that there are duties to perform, preliminaries to be adjusted, and a thousand details to be entered into, alike call on us imperiously to brace our energies, and arm ourselves with all the panoply of fortitude to meet the coming trial. I descended to the breakfast room, and found my cousin Charles actively employed in discussing sundry rashers of bacon, and, by a wise economy of his time, examining at the same moment certain alarming longitudinal papers, which, "like the mathematical definition of a straight line, had length without breadth." Mr. Sidney extended his hand to me, hoped I had slept well,-that the mattrass was not too hard nor too soft, &c. Then he continued, "I am glad you are an early riser, cousin Dorothy, as I hate having the bread and butter cut down stairs ;-Mrs. Sidney too, is lazy; and the girls have their meals with the governess; so, for the future, you can breakfast with me. Will you be so good as to pour me out another cup of tea; one lump and a half of sugar, and only a suspicion of milk.” Gladly I complied with his request, as I felt it a relief to be employed in any way, and I dreaded his attention being again attracted to the bills, which lay at his elbow; but no sooner had he swallowed his tea than he took them up. "I think, cousin Dorothy, these charges are nefarious; the nurse is a perfect harpy, and as for the apothecary, I'll have his bill taxed. Neither do I believe your mother had half these things; she never was an extravagant woman." 66 'Perhaps, Sir," I said, with difficulty restraining my tears, "you will have the goodness to advance the money, and I hope by strict economy I may in time repay you." "Nonsense, my dear; you'll have enough to do to make both ends meet. Of course, as my cousin, you must always appear neatly dressed, so I purpose adding five pounds per annum to your little stock, which will make your yearly income twenty-five pounds: my wife thinks that upon this sum you may do very well. Only be careful. Never run in debt, Dorothy; never rob your trades-people of their hard-earned gains; remember it is the only species of theft of which persons in your rank of life can be guilty; and now good-bye, -I'm off to the city. Where is my hat and stick?— you'll find them in the closet, just outside the door; -there, that will do,-it cannot but be your own fault if you are not happy and cheerful under my roof. Good-bye, my dear." A few minutes after his departure Mrs, Sidney entered the apartment, followed by her eldest daughter, and Miss Sharpe, the governess. Mrs. Sidney received me kindly, her daughter affectionately, and Miss Sharpe eyed me askance as |