There was a slight rising in Montague's throat, but he checked it, and inquired--"How far the Commodore was going." "I don't know exactly, Squire, as I am going to buy a cow, and want to hunt up a pretty good one." "A cow!" said Montague--"What in the world can you do with a cow?" "Why, she isn't for my own use, Mr. Montague, though she is to be kind o' mine--but that's neither here nor there, and I must be going, as I want to get back in good season. Good day, Squire," and the Commodore drove off. A few days after this, when Montague was one morning at Mr. Claremont's, it came into Alice's mind to inquire after his _protégés_, the Delanty's. "O, they are all well, and in comparatively comfortable circumstances," said Montague. "They have found a very kind friend, who has furnished them with comfortable clothing, besides lending them a cow. Should they be the survivors, I think they would canonize her," added he, smiling. "Her!" said Alice. "Is it a lady, then?" "Yes, the same young lady that I told you assisted in nursing the mother. I wish you could hear them express their gratitude, in their own emphatic dialect, with their strong Irish feelings?" "It is strange who it can be," said Alice. "Have they not yet found out?" "It seems she has been very careful to conceal her name," said Montague, "as they have not yet learned it. But yesterday I was there, and they pointed her out to me, as she at that moment chanced to pass by." "And did you know her, Hubert?" eagerly inquired Alice. "I did,"--said Montague, "but I did not tell them, as she seems so desirous to 'do good by stealth,' and would doubtless 'blush to find it fame'--and neither will I tell _you_, cousin Alice,"--he added, as Margarette cast on him a look of mingled distress and supplication. "Now that is the most provoking thing I ever knew you do, cousin Hubert!" said Alice. "But I will find out, if I go to Delanty's on purpose!" "But I tell you they do not know, Alice; and beside, if a motive of _benevolence_ would not draw you to them, when they were in distress, pray do not let so poor a one as _curiosity_ procure them a visit, now that they are comparatively happy." Margarette stayed by most perseveringly this morning. She would have given almost any thing would Alice have left the room, if only for one minute. Great was her satisfaction when her cousin hastily rose, saying--"I entirely forgot to send Mrs. Frost the pattern of my new pelerine. I must do it this moment." She had scarcely closed the door, ere Margarette said, "I must do away the mistake under which you labor, Mr. Montague. The Delantys are indebted to my uncle, and not to me. I was only the channel through which his bounty flowed." "Mr. Claremont was then Mrs. Delanty's nurse!" said Montague, smiling. "O no, not that--but the clothing and the cow were purchased with his money."