"Where's papa?" asked the child, and she looked with such a sad earnestness into her mother's face, that the latter felt rebuked, and turned her eyes away from those of her child. "Want to go home," lisped the unhappy babe--"see papa." "Yes, dear," soothingly answered the mother. Little Mary turned her eyes to the door with an expectant look, as if she believed her father, whom she loved, was about to enter, and listened for some moments. "Papa! papa!" she called in anxious tones, and listened again; but there was no response. Her little lip began to quiver, then it curled grievingly; and, falling over, she hid her face against her mother and began sobbing. Tenderly did the mother take her weeping child to her bosom, and hold it there in a long embrace. After it had grown calm she arose, and adjusting her rumpled garments, and those of Mary, sat down by the windows to await the events that were to follow. In about half an hour a bell was rung in the passage below, and soon after a girl came to her room to say that breakfast was ready. "I wish my breakfast brought to me here," said Mrs. Lane. The girl stared a moment and then retired. Soon after, the Irish landlady made her appearance. "What is it ye wants, mum?" said that personage, drawing herself up and assuming an air of vulgar dignity and importance. "Nothing," replied Mrs. Lane, "except a little bread and milk for my child." "Isn't yees coming down to breakfast?" Mrs. Lane shook her head. "Ye'd better. It's all ready." "I don't wish any thing. But if you'll send me up something for my child, I will be obliged to you." The landlady stood for some moments, as if undecided what she should do, and then retired. About half an hour afterwards, a dirty looking Irish girl appeared with a waiter, on which were the articles for which she had asked. "Don't ye want any thing for yerself, mum?" asked the girl, with some kindness in her voice. "No, I thank you," was replied. "You'd better eat a little." "I've no appetite," said Mrs. Lane, turning her face away to conceal the emotion that was rising to the surface. The girl retired, and the food brought for the child was placed before her; but she felt as little inclined to eat as her mother, and could not be induced to take a mouthful. Turning from the offered food, she raised her tearful eyes to her mother's face, and in a choking voice said--"Go home, mamma--see papa." The words smote, like heavy strokes, upon the mother's heart. How great a wrong had she done her child! But could she retrace her steps now? Could she go back and humble herself under the imperious will of her husband? Her heart shrunk from the thought. Any thing but that! it would crush the life out of her. An hour she sat, with these and kindred thoughts passing through her mind, when the girl who had brought up Mary's breakfast came in and said--"Won't yees walk down into the parlour, mum, while I clean up your room?" "Is any one down there?" asked Mrs. Lane.