At the commencement of the Christmas holidays, Sophie broke up her school. Soon after this she received a severe shock in the news of the sudden death of her sister Rosalia and her husband, both of whom were carried off by a prevailing epidemic. This news was communicated by a letter from a lawyer of Baltimore, which letter also informed her that Mr. Withers and herself had been appointed guardians of the person and property of Rosalia Aguilar. This letter happened to come when the mind of Mr. Withers was in its least disturbed state, and therefore in a few days from its reception, Sophie left the Hall for Baltimore, with the purpose of bringing home the little Rosalia Aguilar, the second orphan niece committed to her charge. CHAPTER XII. ROSALIA. “A lovely being scarcely formed or moulded, A rose with all its sweetest leaves yet folded.” BYRON. “Mind, Hagar, you must be attentive to your uncle, he is not well, my love, and you must do nothing to annoy him—now, will you promise me, Hagar?” had been the earnest injunction and question of Sophie as she was taking leave of little Hagar the morning of her departure for Baltimore. The child was silent and sulky. This argued ill. “Oh, Hagar! will you let me depart in anxiety of mind when I may never see you again?” Hagar was still inexorable. “Will you not be gentle and good with _Raymond’s_ father?” “Yes!” said she, raising her flashing eyes, “for Raymond’s sake.”