"I will, if you please, set down a list of books for your reading. Many of them, no doubt, will be found in your master's shop, and for the others, I dare say you may find them here," he said, looking round on my dear father's books, which have not yet been removed. "On my word, my friend has a fine collection." "These are my father's books," said Richard. He seemed as if he would have added more, but paused and gazed steadfastly at the fire. The stranger glanced at him for a moment, and then, taking a sheet of paper from the table, he began to write, now and then glancing up at Dick or me. For myself, I sat as mum as a mouse, wondering more and more what was to be the end of it all. The stranger was no common man, I felt sure, but I would not even give a guess as to who he might be. Presently he folded the paper and gave it to Dick. "There," said he, "I have written down a list of books, according to the best of my judgment, which you can study at your leisure. Meantime, let me impress upon you the importance of a close daily walk with God, which is the best preparation of all. Drink daily and deeply of the fountain of all grace, by resorting to God in humble prayer. Be diligent in your daily calling, and you may be sure that a blessing will rest upon you!" "And you, my fair maiden," said he, turning to me with a kindly smile. "So you are to make your first flight from the nest, and go out into the world to seek your fortune!" "I suppose so, sir," I replied. "'Tis a hard necessity," said he, gravely. "The best place for a girl is by her mother's side till she hath a household of her own. But where are you going? Tell me all about it." His manner was so kind, and made me think so of my dear father that I choked for a moment. But recovering myself, I told him that I was going to wait upon, and be in some sort, I supposed, a governess to my Lady Elizabeth Stanton of Stanton Court in Devonshire. He looked very grave. "A hard place—a hard place!" he muttered. "An honest service would have been better." Then catching my eye: "My child, you are going to a place where both your temper and your principles are likely to be put to the test. I would not discourage you, but 'forewarned is forearmed,' they say, though I have not always found it so. Are you, like your brother, furnished with the armor of a soldier of Christ?" "I am afraid not," said I. "But why not, sweetheart? Do you not need it as much?" "I need it even more, if that were possible," said I, "for my temper is not naturally as good as Richard's. But I know not how it is, these things are not as real to me as to him. I have not the faith which he has."