It was the middle of July, when letters were received from Sir Julius, or rather from his wife, saying that they would come to Highbeck Hall about the first of August. Lady Leighton wrote that a quantity of new furniture, etc., had already been sent by sea to Newcastle, and that her own housekeeper and other servants, would arrive about a week in advance of her, to attend to the disposition of the things. The old housekeeper was to be pensioned off, by Sir Julius' order. The other servants could remain for the present, if they chose to make themselves useful, and be amenable to the new housekeeper. Then came the sting of the letter, so far as I was concerned. "As for the young woman, Lucy Corbet, if she chooses to take the place which belongs to her, and for which she was kindly educated by Sir Julius—that of our daughter's waiting-woman—I am content that she should remain for the present. But she must distinctly understand, that it is as a servant and not as an equal, that she is permitted to stay; otherwise, she must make up her mind to find another home. Moreover, if I find her abetting our daughter in her infatuation for that person in Newcastle, with whom she was so unhappily entangled, she will be dismissed at once; that affair Is entirely at an end, and Miss Leighton must hold herself like a dutiful child, at her parents' disposal." "There shows the cloven foot!" said Mrs. Deborah. "I am glad of it!" I answered. "I like to know what I have to expect." "You need have to expect nothing of the sort, Niece Corbet!" said Mrs. Deborah. "You are quite welcome to a home with me so long as I have one, or till you can communicate with your kinsman in the South." "Oh Lucy, you must not leave me—you will not leave me!" said Amabel imploringly, her eyes filling with tears. "Remember what you promised me before we came from France. I am selfish to wish to keep you here to be insulted, when you might have a happy home with Aunt Deborah, but how can I face life without you?" "You shall not face it without me!" I answered. "My mind is made up about that. Dearly as I should love to live with Aunt Deborah, I can never leave you while it is possible for me to stay. When it is not, if dear aunt will take me in, I will gladly come to her." "And will you—a Corbet of one of the best families of the South—will you take the place of a waiting-maid under this proud woman?" said Mrs. Deborah, her brows darkening. "For Amabel's sake I will take any place, and endure any affront, Aunt Deborah!" I answered. "Where she goes I will go. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death or dire necessity part her and me." I said these solemn words advisedly. I had said them in my own mind many times while thinking of this very thing. Mrs. Deborah's brows relaxed.