love you, so she is exempt from all blame. It rests between you and her father-the one sold, the other bought; not one thought was given by either to the life they were marring. I have spoken plainly, old man; if I have offended I am sorry, but, bad as I am, I will not let this opportunity escape for the want of a little moral

"But there is the Casino clock striking three. Good night, old man, or rather good morning. I'm sure it's high time for little boys to be in bed."

That night Jacobs is informed that his services will not be required again by his old master, and that night he resolves to do his best to carry out his diabolical plot, by prying and lies, against his fair young mistress, who has never wronged him by deed word, or thought.

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CHAPTER VIII.

Now, John, let's 'ave the carriage and pair round, and go for to call on 'er ladyship, for you must remember that dearest Richard is my son as well as 'ers, and we really must be friendly; besides, I take an interest in the 'ouse that is to be inhabited by our dear gal Mable. Just fancy, John, 'ow grand it do sound, 'Lady Elston, of Elston Castle!' Little did I think when my poor late 'usband and I stood behind the counter, and served out tea and tobaccy, that I should be mother some day of a real living lady. Eh! but Josiah allus said to me, 'My dear, there's somethink quite bong tong about you' (he could speak French my poor Josiah could.) But, nevertheless, I do not like French brought in when you're not expecting it, for it kind of startles you like, and just for a minute you can hardly recollect the meaning."

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There, that will do, Sarah; you quite weary me with your incessant chatter. incessant chatter. You can have

the carriage (in fact, I think you would like to

live in it), but please do not expect me to go with you, as it is as it is your second visit to the Castle. I am sure you and Lady Elston will enjoy a quiet tête-a-tête."

"John, you're too bad, just when I've told you that I object to those French invendors.' I was always taught (this with a satisfied jerk of the bright, good-natured vulgar face), I was always taught that if you could not express yourself in your mother tongue, to be still. I never could bear those wretched French flibberty gibbets; and oh! 'ow our dear Mable, after her superior bringing up, can put up with their frogs and their snails, passes my comprehension. Oh! 'ere's the carriage; farewell, my John, or, as you would better like it, 'adoo.' Do not expect me back before dinner, as I 'ope to 'ave a nice chat with the dowager."

And so the carriage bowls away, and under the pomp and show, so dearly loved by its occupant, beats one of the truest hearts possible-a friend who will prove herself a friend to one who defies others' opinions, and loves the vulgar but true woman for herself alone.

Seated in the lovely drawing-room of Elston Castle sits her ladyship, or, if we give her her proper title, “The Dowager Lady Elston." She is feeling rather lonely to-day, and her conscience is no pleasant solitary companion. "I wonder," she says softly to herself, "if I did very wrong in so strongly persuading Richard to marry Mable? Well, even if her happiness. is sacrificed she has wealth, though how little she never guesses. She has, at all events, position, and that put in the scales against a bad husband (as I feel sure Richard will prove), and a stepmother who likes her only so long as she is useful, and who would do her a bad turn at any time if her son could profit by her wickedness, causes her side of the scales to stand high in the air, whilst the balancing one rests firmly on the basis of the machine."

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compact that But to think

Poor girl! I am sorry for her in my moments of 'ennui,' and when they have passed away I hate her for being part of the saved my boy from those sharks. of her coming here to be mistress, where I have always reigned supreme! The thought is maddening; but she will find that I do not intend

to give way in the least: what I

say and order shall still be law, as it always has been, and woe to the individual who tries to make it otherwise."

A tap at the door interrupts this amiable soliloquy.

"I beg pardon, my lady, but Mrs. Summers is below." "Show her up, John."

(Odious woman! overflowing mass of vulgarity! I detest her, but must be polite, for is she not Richard's mother-in-law ?)

"Oh! my lady! and 'ow do you this beautiful balmy afternoon?

find yourself Would you,

my dear friend, just come and take a ‘constitutional' in my easy and beautiful carriage and pair, given me by my fond husband the last anniversary of my birth?"

"No, thank you, Mrs. Summers," replies Lady Elston; " my head is already bad, and I am sure the glaring sun would not improve it : will you not wait and have a cup of tea with me?"

"Yes, I'll stay if it pleases you, for I'm anxious to hear the latest news of dear Mable,