said, " I did not suppose the sight of these could have agitated me thus. I thought time had stilled the pulses which throbbed almost to madness when the events here recorded took place. ” She then proceeded to read the following story:
It was late on a cold evening in November, in the year 18—, that the mistress of one of the first boarding schools in Canterbury, was informed that a gentleman wished to speak with her. On entering the parlour, Mrs. Bentham found a tall, elegant looking, man, in the prime of life, who immediately addressed her with the ease of one who had been familiar with the most polished society. He held a girl of twelve years of age by the hand, and he informed Mrs. Bentham that he wished to place the child under her care.
" You will find her wild and untutored ,” he remarked, “ " for she has had no mother to watch over her infancy, and I fear she has been sadly neglected, as my avocations have been such that I could not keep her with me.'
There was a slight tremor in his voice as he uttered these words, which insensibly interested Mrs. Bentham, and she assured him, that, with proper management, any evil habits the little girl had formed would be easily counteracted.
" I leave her entirely to you, madam," replied the stranger.
" My habits are so desultory, that it is impossible for me to say when I can have her with me. Indeed, it is probable I shall not be able to see you again for some years. I will pay you the expenses of the first three years in advance, and at the end of that time, if I should not be here, I will send you an order on Messrs. for any additional expense that may be incurred during that period, and after it has expired. It is my wish, madam, that my daughter shall have every advantage your seminary affords."
Preliminaries were speedily settled, and the daughter of the stranger (who called himself Mr. Floyd) was received as a pupil in the school. Helen Floyd was a sprightly child, and improved rapidly in every branch of education. She remained with Mrs. Bentham five years, and in that time her father had never visited her, though she continued to hear constantly from him, and Mrs. Bentham's bills were regularly discharged. At the age of seventeen, she was as beautiful a fairy as ever tripped over a moon-lit lawn. She was spirited and intelligent, with a most affectionate and ingenuous disposition. She was a general favourite among her young companions, but there was one
among them who claimed her most devoted friendship.