"Do you think her very ill?" asked Amy. "Yes, Amy, I do," replied Mrs. Elrington, gently. "That is to say, I think her very weak, weaker than she was when I wrote to you after her recovery from the severe illness she had." Amy sighed. "I sometimes fancy," she said, "that Ashleigh, lovely as it is, does not suit Mamma; you know her quiet life here is so very different from what she has been accustomed to; but I do not see how a change is to be effected." "It would be a great expense, certainly." "It would, and the means to effect it with will be smaller; as I fear, Mrs. Elrington, I shall have to resign my situation at Brampton; I cannot leave Mamma so lonely, neither can I be happy away from her while she is so ill." "I have been thinking the same thing, Amy; your mother certainly does require all your care and attention. It would not be right to leave her." "Do you think Mrs. Linchmore will be annoyed at my leaving in the middle of my quarter without any hint or warning whatever?" "Not under the circumstances, Amy. You were happy there?" "Yes, as happy as I shall ever be away from home; I was very fond of my pupils, of Edith especially." "Was she the youngest?" "No, the eldest. An orphan niece of Mr. Linchmore's, and adopted by him at her mother's and his sister's death. I shall regret leaving Brampton. I think change must be one of the worst trials of a governess's life." "It is a sad one, no doubt, when, as in your case, a governess happens to be attached to those she is leaving. Perhaps," continued Mrs. Elrington, as she rose, "I had better not wait to see your mother now. As soon as you have made up your mind, Amy, I would advise your writing at once to Mrs. Linchmore without delay." Amy leant back in her chair very sorrowfully after Mrs. Elrington had gone. If she had had any doubt about the propriety of leaving Brampton, her mother's old friend--she, whose advice she so valued--had cleared it away; it was evident the step must be taken, however slow her heart might be to break asunder the one tie that yet seemed to bind her to Charles Linchmore. "What are you thinking of, Amy?" asked Sarah, who had been watching her sister for some time. "You look so sad." "Do I? I was thinking of Mamma, and whether we could do anything to make her better; and about my leaving Brampton, Sarah." "But that will be so nice to have you always here; you can't be sorry about that, sister." "But then I shall lose a great deal of money; and Mamma will have to go without a great many things she really wants. Port wine cannot be bought for nothing, Sarah." "Ah! what a pity it is we are not rich, then we might take her back to our dear old home. I am sure she would get well there. Don't you think so?" "She might, Sarah. But I think if change is to do her good, she will require a greater change than that." "Further off still?" asked the child. "Where to, Amy?" "I cannot tell; but Dr. Ashley can."