had good fires ever sin; an' a great blessing it is, this winter time. But that's his way, Miss Grey—when he comes into a poor body's house a seein' sick folk, he like notices what they most stand i' need on, an' if he thinks they can't readily get it therseln, he never says nowt about it, but just gets it for 'em:—an' it isn't everybody 'at 'ud do that, 'at has as little as he has; for you know mum, he's now't at all to live on, but what he gets fra' th' rector; an' that's little enough they say."
I remembered then, with a species of exultation, that he had frequently been styled a vulgar brute by the amiable Miss Murray, because he sported a silver watch, and clothes not quite so bright and fresh as Mr. Hatfield's.
In returning to the lodge, I felt very happy, and thanked God that I had now something to think about, something to dwell on as a relief from the weary monotony, the lonely drudgery of my present life—for I was lonely—never, from month to motnh, from year to year, except during my brief intervals of rest at home, did I see one creature to whom I could open my heart, or freely speak my thoughts with any hope of sympathy, or even compre-
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