Ellis made every enquiry in her power, of who was at Brighthelmstone; and begged Mr Giles to procure her a list of the company. When she had read it, she became more tranquil, though not less sad. Miss Arbe received the concession with infinite satisfaction; and introduced Ellis, as her _protegee_, to her new favourite; who professed himself charmed, that the presentation of so promising a subject, to the public, should be made at his benefit. 'And now, Miss Ellis,' said Miss Arbe, 'you will very soon have more scholars than you can teach. If once you get a fame and a name, your embarrassments will be at an end; for all enquiries about who people are, and what they are, and those sort of niceties, will be over. We all learn of the celebrated, be they what they will. Nobody asks how they live, and those sort of things. What signifies? as Miss Sycamore says. We don't visit them, to be sure, if there is any thing awkward about them. But that's not the least in the way against their making whole oceans of riches.' This was not a species of reasoning to offer consolation to Ellis; but she suppressed the disdain which it inspired; and dwelt only upon the hoped accomplishment of her views, through the private teaching which it promised. In five days' time, the benefit was to take place; and in three, Ellis was summoned to a rehearsal at the rooms. She was putting on her hat, meaning to be particularly early in her attendance, that she might place herself in some obscure corner, before any company arrived; to avoid the pain of passing by those who knowing, might not notice, or noticing, might but mortify her; when one of the young work-women brought her intelligence, that a gentleman, just arrived in a post chaise, requested admittance. 'A gentleman?' she repeated, with anxiety:--'tell him, if you please, that I am engaged, and can see no company.' The young woman soon returned. 'The gentleman says, Ma'am, that he comes upon affairs of great importance, which he can communicate only to yourself.' Ellis begged the young woman to request, that Miss Matson would desire him to leave his name and business in writing. Miss Matson was gone to Lady Kendover's, with some new patterns, just arrived from London. The young woman, however, made the proposition, but without effect: the gentleman was in great haste, and would positively listen to no denial. Strong and palpable affright, now seized Ellis; am I--Oh heaven!--she murmured to herself, pursued?--and then began, but checked an inquiry, whether there were any private door by which she could escape: yet, pressed by the necessity of appearing at the rehearsal, after painfully struggling for courage, she faintly articulated, 'Let him come up stairs.' The young woman descended, and Ellis remained in breathless suspense, till she heard some one tap at her door.