"No, I left my overcoat in the hall--here it is." She followed him out to the door, as he drew it on and put on his cap. The moonlight shone over the threshold, and he thought she looked ghostly as it fell upon her face. He took her hand, pressed it gently, and said: "Good-night, dear Beulah." "Good-by, Eugene. Do come and see me again, soon." "Yes, I will. Don't get low-spirited as soon as I am out of sight, do you hear?" "Yes, I hear; I will try not to complain. Walk fast and keep warm." She pressed his hand affectionately, watched his receding form as long as she could trace its outline, and then went slowly back to the dormitory. Falling on her knees by the side of Lilly's empty couch, she besought God, in trembling accents, to bless her "darling little sister and Claudy," and to give her strength to perform all her duties contentedly and cheerfully. CHAPTER III. Beulah stood waiting on the steps of the large mansion to which she had been directed by Miss Dorothea White. Her heart throbbed painfully, and her hand trembled as she rang the bell. The door was opened by a negro waiter, who merely glanced at her, and asked carelessly: "Well, little miss, what do you want?" "Is Mrs. Martin at home?" "Yes, miss; come, walk in. There is but a poor fire in the front parlor--suppose you sit down in the back room. Mrs. Martin will be down in a minute." The first object which arrested Beulah's attention was a center table covered with books. "Perhaps," thought she, "they will permit me to read some of them." While she sat looking over the titles the rustle of silk caused her to glance around, and she saw Mrs. Martin quite near her. "Good-morning," said the lady, with a searching look, which made the little figure tremble. "Good-morning, madam." "You are the girl Miss White promised to send from the asylum, are you not?" "Yes, madam." "Do you think you can take good care of my baby?" "Oh, I will try." "You don't look strong and healthy--have you been sick?" "No; I am very well, thank you." "I may want you to sew some, occasionally, when the baby is asleep. Can you hem and stitch neatly?" "I believe I sew very well, madam--our matron says so." "What is your name? Miss White told me, but I have forgotten it." "Beulah Benton." "Well, Beulah, I think you will suit me very well, if you are only careful and attend to my directions. I am just going out shopping, but you can come upstairs and take charge of Johnny. Where are your clothes?" "Our matron will send them to-day."