been constrained to busy herself with something besides herself; her mental powers called into vigorous exertion and furnished with an abundant supply of new food; by degrees a sort of enjoyment began to creep into her life again, and grew, and grew. It was a help, that everything was so strange about her. Even her own dress. "Mrs. Cord," Mr. Digby had said in the first week of this new life,--"how is Rotha off for clothes?" "Well, sir," said the nurse, "of course they were people not likely to have much of that sort of thing; but Rotha has what will do her through the warm season." "But is she supplied as a young lady ought to be, with everything needful?" "As a young lady!--no, sir. It's what she never set up for, and don't need, and knows nothing about. Her mother was a very good woman, and didn't pretend to dress her as a young lady. But she's comfortable." Mr. Digby half smiled at the collocation of things, however he went on with full seriousness. "She will go to school by and by, and she will go there as a young lady. I wish, Mrs. Cord, you would see to it, as far as you know, that she has a full supply of everything. Go to one of the best shops for outfits and get plenty of every thing and of good quality, and send the bills to me. And get Mrs. Marble to make her some dresses." "Mourning, sir?" "No. Simple things, but no black." "I asked, because it's customary, sir." "It's a bad custom; better broken." "Then what shall I get, sir?" asked Mrs. Cord with unwonted stolidity. "You need not get anything. I will see to it myself. Only the linen and all that, Mrs. Cord, which I should not know how to get. The rest I will take care of." And he took such good care, that the good woman was filled with a displeased surprise which was inexplicable. Why should she be displeased? Yet Mrs. Cord was quite "put about," as she said, when the things came home. They were simple things, indeed; a few muslins and ginghams and the like. But the ginghams were fine and beautiful, and the muslins of delicate patterns and excellent quality; and with them came a set of fine cambrick handkerchiefs, and ruffles, and lace, and a little parasol, and a light summer wrap; for Rotha had nothing to put on that made her fit to go to drive with her guardian. He had taken her, all the same, dressed as she was, but it seems he thought there must be a change in this state of things. Mrs. Cord was full of dissatisfaction; and when she took the dresses to Mrs. Marble to be made up, the two good women held a regular pow wow over them. "Muslin like that!" cried the little mantua-maker with an expression of strong distaste. "Why that _never_ cost less than fifty cents, Mrs. Cord! My word, it didn't." "Just think of it! And for that girl, who never wore anything but sixpenny calico if she could get it. Men are the stupidest!--"