“I know not how to thank you, Mr. Vivian,” she said, in trembling accents, “but I fear I cannot, while I sincerely appreciate your generous offers of assistance to me, avail myself of them. Your friendship for my brother gives to me no claim upon your aid, neither does it entitle me to accept it; and, guided by the precepts and counsels my dear father has implanted in my mind, I seem clearly to comprehend that it would be--may I say--an indiscretion were I to act otherwise than in most grateful terms to decline what your disinterested generosity has prompted you to propose. I confess that I have been terribly shocked and shaken by what has occurred, but the nervous tremor I at this moment endure will pass away, and I shall look with fervent faith to a brighter time.” “Young and green, too,” thought Mr. Nutty--“sap-green,” and placed in his inventory, “1 immidge--a figgur of Oap.” Lotte interposed, as Hal, with rather a disconcerted aspect, was about to urge her acceptance of his renewed offer. “Let us see, Mr. Vivian,” she said to him, “what tomorrow will bring forth. At present everything is in confusion; by to-morrow we shall know the worst; what can be done, and what there will remain to do. Then Miss Wilton will be better able to judge in what you can be of service to her, and I have no doubt she will feel less reluctance to accept the kindly aid you have offered in such a friendly and worthy manner now.” “A sensible girl, that,” thought Mr. Nutty, “works for her livin’, an’ ’ard, too, I’ll be bound!” He put down at the same moment in his inventory, “a peece of clokk wurk wownd up and goen; 1 nutmy graytur; 1 coles scuddel.” Hal, seeing that the advice tendered by Lotte Clinton was acceptable to Flora, resolved to follow it, and turning to the former, he said-- “You understand far better than I do the way to manage in such a matter as this. I am only anxious to be of service, and my intention is sincere. I may, by a want of tact, produce an effect entirely opposite to that which I most desire. You are intelligent and good natured----” “Thank you!” said Lotte, with a laugh. “You are,” he repeated, “and I fancy you interpret justly my sincerity.” “I am sure I do,” she answered promptly. “Then I place myself in your hands; you will not leave Miss Wilton for the present?” he added. “Not for a minute,” she replied. “You are all that I could hope you to be,” he rejoined, “and if I can help you, you will send for me, won’t you?” “Indeed I will!” responded Lotte. “Bravo!” he cried. “Farewell, Miss Wilton--keep up your spirits; ‘When matters are at their worst they mend,’ you know, and surely your affairs could hardly be in a more unhappy predicament than at this moment. Preserve your faith in the goodness of God, and do not despair of the future.” Flora could not reply; she could only return the pressure of his hand, and then hide her face upon the neck of Lotte Clinton.