I promised not to look out; she called me a dear child, and left me. In a few minutes I joined her below. I found her sitting alone in a dull and sombre English-looking parlour. She seemed flurried on seeing me, and spoke as if she had intended to go and fetch me, for fear, I suppose, of any accident on the way; but satisfied that all was right, she subsided into what appeared to be her habitual placidity. She had a kind face, that had been pretty, and was still pleasant, though it wore a somewhat uneasy expression, as if its owner were too much troubled with conscientious scruples and misgivings. "Do you know, Ma'am, if Mr. Thornton will soon come?" I asked, after vainly waiting for my grandfather to make his appearance. "He is gone, my dear," she replied, calmly. "I said you were taking off your things, and he said he had nothing to say to you; but you may be quite easy; it is all settled." "Am I to stay with you, Ma'am?" "Yes, my dear; I am to take care of you and educate you. My name is Mrs. Gray. I live in this house. It is very airy; very salubrious. Mr. Thornton was particular about that, and I am sure I would not have deceived him for anything. Then there is the square, where we have of course the privilege of walking when we like. Besides, I have received a very good education myself, so that I am fit to teach you. I think we shall be very happy together, dear," she added, with a smile, to which neither in word nor in look my heavy heart could give response. Mrs. Gray saw this, and looked discouraged at once. She hoped we should be happy together; she trusted we should; she thought she might say it should not be her fault if we were not. She was evidently getting very uncomfortable, when I diverted her by a question. "If you please, Ma'am, was it on account of what I said, that Mr. Thornton took me away from the Misses Clapperton?" "Ah, the Misses Clapperton. I really don't know, dear. Who are the Misses Clapperton?" "They receive a few private pupils; they live at Alhambra Lodge." "Alhambra Lodge, and they receive private pupils, dear me!" "Do you know, Ma'am, why I was not left there?" "I dare say, my dear, it was because Mr. Thornton did not approve of their method of teaching; there is a great deal in method." "Do you know, Ma'am, if Miss O'Reilly will call next Sunday?" "Miss O'Reilly? that is an Irish name, is it not?" "Yes, Ma'am, she is Irish, and so is her brother. They were born at a place called Bally Bunion." "Bally Birmingham--how odd! One would think Birmingham could have done without the Bally. Were you too born at Bally Birmingham, my dear?" "No, Ma'am, I was born in England." "Don't you feel much more comfortable to know that?" "I don't know, Ma'am; but can you tell me if Miss O'Reilly will call next Sunday?" Mrs. Gray looked perplexed.