"Very true. But to traffic with those wretches—really Settson ought to attend to it." "I don't suppose he knows it. I have never spoken of it before. Miss Druett told me aunt was fond of speculation, and had wasted a great deal upon lottery tickets." "She has made some very successful speculations, too," said Mr. Fabian, rising. "Well, my dear, I have no more business with you this morning. When your aunt is well enough, I must explain matters to her. Now, is there anything I can do for you? Would you not like to put on mourning for your old friend?" "Yes, indeed I should, Mr. Fabian!" answered Calista, her eyes filling with tears. "I have thought a good deal about it, but could not see my way, for I have no black dresses, and no money." "Mrs. Fabian suggested the subject to me, and bade me say that if you would send her a pattern-dress, she would take the whole matter off your hands, and see you properly provided. Mrs. Fabian is very thoughtful and considerate," concluded the old gentleman, with a little bow, as if his wife were present. "I hope and trust you will find her a valuable friend." "I have no doubt I shall, if she will be so kind as to befriend me," said Calista, feeling very grateful to Mrs. Fabian for her consideration in the present instance. "I will get you the dress, if you will wait a moment." Calista folded up her new sprigged muslin in a small, neat parcel, not without a sigh to the memory of the last time she wore it. And Mr. Fabian departed, leaving Calista much relieved. She was not left dependent on the grudging bounty of Miss Priscilla, neither would she lose the opportunity of completing her education with Miss McPherson. She was sensible enough to consider that three thousand dollars was not a fortune, and she did not at all relax in her determination to qualify herself for a teacher; but it was pleasant to know she had something of her own. It was with a curious feeling that all must be a dream that she sought out her mother's purse and put into it the five dollars Mr. Fabian had given her in parting. Then she kneeled down and asked earnestly for grace to serve her Master in the new state of life to which he seemed pleased to call her. And then, rested and comforted, she went into her aunt's room. CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. MR. FABIAN CALLS AGAIN. MRS. FABIAN was true to her word, and by her exertions, ably seconded by those of Drusella Pine, a very handsome and proper suit of mourning was sent home to Calista on Saturday night, accompanied by a kind little note from Mrs. Fabian, and a present of a black feather fan. Calista was pleased with the present and still more with the note, and she would not have been a girl of sixteen if she had not felt a slight movement of gratified vanity as she looked at herself in the glass and saw how very neat and becoming was the fresh bombazine and crape, and the black cottage bonnet with its plain white border inside.