The ill-conditioned fellow! He saw not the mild blue eyes, with a tear glittering in each like twin-drops of the diamond-dew;—he marked not the pretty lips, apart, and expressive of such profound melancholy;—he observed not the thick folds of the shawl across the gently-budding bosom rise and sink rapidly:—no,—he beheld not that interesting young creature's grief; but he treated her rudely and harshly, because she was the executioner's niece! Kate retraced her steps homewards. She saw other girls of her own age nod familiarly to their acquaintances at the windows, as they passed;—but she had no friend to receive or return her smile of recognition! Shrinking within herself, as it were, from the slightest contact with the world which despised her, the poor young creature felt herself an interloper upon the very pavement, and even stepped into the muddy street to make way for those who passed. With a broken spirit she returned home, her fate weighing upon her soul like a crime! And so it was with her always on those mornings when her uncle was called upon to exercise his fearful functions. She was glad to bury herself once more in that dwelling the threshold of which a friendly step so seldom crossed: her little parlour, embellished with her own hands, appeared a paradise of peace after the contumely which she experienced in the bustling streets. She had returned home in so depressed a state of mind that she had forgotten to close the front door behind her. She opened her work-box, seated herself at the table, and commenced her toil of pleasure—for that young girl loved her needle, and abhorred idleness. She then fell into a reverie as she worked. "To be a hangman is something horrible indeed," she mused aloud; "but to be a member of a hangman's family is far worse. _He_ knows that he merits what reproach is levelled against him, if indeed his office deserve reproach at all; but _I_, who abhor the bare idea, and never so much as witnessed an execution—why should shame and obloquy redound upon _me_? It is like suffering for a crime of which one is innocent! O God, is this human justice? What have I done that the vilest and lowest should despise me? Am I not flesh and blood like them? do my clothes carry pollution, that the ragged beggar draws her tatters close to her as she passes me? Oh! give me strength, heaven, to support my wretched fate; for there are moments when I despair!" "You are wrong to mistrust the goodness of the Almighty," said a mild voice close behind her chair. Kate started, and looked round. It was the rector of St. David's who had entered he room, unperceived by the young maiden. "Pardon me, reverend sir," answered Kate; "I know that I am often forgetful of the wholesome lessons which I have received from your lips; but——"