"I do not believe he will come north at present—and perhaps it is just as well on the whole, that he should not!" answered Mrs. Deborah. "His wife has great influence with him, and from all I hear, she is not likely to let him burn his fingers; not that I believe these tales of the Prince's landing. Well, there! Good-bye. Be good girls, and God bless you." We looked at each other, as the door closed on Mrs. Deborah. "Well, how do you like her?" said I. "Very much!" answered Amabel, with decision, as usual. "I think she is rather rough, but I am sure she is good. How very kindly she spoke to you. Do you not like her?" "Yes! Very much," I answered. And indeed, Mrs. Deborah's way of putting me on an equality with Amabel, had extracted from my mind a root of bitterness which had vegetated there for a long time. Ever since our last talk with Mother Superior about returning to England, I had fully made up my mind never to leave Amabel, whatever happened. But I had shed some proud tears in secret, at the thought of being degraded from an equal and companion, to a mere waiting-woman. That trial was not to come upon me, at least for the present. That same afternoon, a messenger came from Lady Throckmorton, bringing back the aprons that we had worn at the theatre, with the following note. "Girls: "You may tell your aunt, that I might easily enough repay the affront she has seen fit to put upon me, but I scorn such paltry revenge. As to you, I meant to do you a kindness which you might have taken for such; but of course, such chits as you have to do as you are bid. I am not in the habit of taking back my gifts, for such I meant 'em. You can either keep the things, or put 'em in the fire. "CLARISSA THROCKMORTON." "What shall we do with the things?" said I, taking up the packet, which Amabel had laid on the table. "We can do nothing but keep them, under the circumstances!" answered Amabel. "I am sure I don't want to have them," said I. "Nor I. Perhaps we can find a way of bestowing them in charity some time; meantime let us put them away. I am glad my aunt laid her commands on us so plainly, it saves us a great deal of trouble." "What shall we do if Lady Throckmorton writes to your father, as she said she meant to do?" I asked, remembering all at once, all her ladyship had said on that matter. "We shall see when the time comes." "But you must allow, Amabel, it was kind in her to ask us!" said I. "She could have had no motive in it, but to give us pleasure, that I see." "I am not so sure!" answered Amabel. "I don't like to look out for mean motives. At the same time, I can't help remembering a word she let drop—'I must positively have you with me. Nothing draws like a new face.' Don't you recollect?"