Yet the colonel did not go. Days passed, and he did not go. Esther ventured some gentle reminders, which had no effect. And the winter was gone and the spring was come, before he made the first expedition to the city in search of a house. Once started on his quest, it is true the colonel carried it on vigorously, and made many journeys for it; but they were all in vain. Rents in the city were found to be so much higher than rents in the country as fully to neutralize the advantage hoped for in a smaller household and the dismissal of the horse. Not a dwelling could be found where this would not be true. The search was finally given up; and things in the little family went on as they had been going for some time past. Esther at last, under stress of necessity, made fresh representations to her father, and besought leave to give lessons. They were running into debt, with no means of paying. It went sorely against the grain with the colonel to give his consent; pride and tenderness both rebelled; he hesitated long, but circumstances were too much for him. He yielded at last, not with a groan, but with many groans. 'I came here to take care of you,' he said; 'and _this_ is the end of it!' 'Don't take it so, papa,' cried Esther. 'I like to do it. It is not a hardship.' '_It_ is a hardship,' he retorted; 'and you will find it so. I find it so now.' 'Even so, papa,' said the girl, with infinite sweetness; 'suppose it be a hardship, the Lord has given it to me; and so long as I am sure it is something He has given, I want no better. Indeed, papa, you know I _could have_ no better.' 'I know nothing of the kind. You are talking folly.' 'No, papa, if you please. Just remember,--look here, papa,--here are the words. Listen: "The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; _no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly_."' 'Do you mean to tell me,' said the colonel angrily, 'that--well, that all the things that you have not just now, and ought to have, are not good things?' 'Not good for me, or at least not the _best_, or I should have them.' This answer was with a smile so absolutely shadowless, that the colonel found nothing to answer but a groan, which was made up of pain and pride and pleasure in inscrutable proportions. The next step was to speak to Miss Fairbairn. That wise woman showed no surprise, and did not distress Esther with any sympathy; she took it as the most natural thing in the world that her favourite pupil should wish to become a teacher; and promised her utmost help. In her own school there was now no longer any opening; that chance was gone; but she gave Esther a recommendation in person to the principal of another establishment, where in consequence Miss Gainsborough found ready acceptance.