With weary head and aching heart I commenced packing my little wardrobe.

My bridal attire I hastily covered from sight that it might remain until time and mildew should obliterate it. My dream of love was past. I felt that my youth and beauty were buried in that crushed pile of broken flowers, pale silk, and dishevelled lace.

I had concluded my work, and was tying my bonnet-strings, when a knock at the door announced Mr. Bristed. He appeared surprised at seeing me arranged for my journey.

"So soon, Agnes?" said he. "You are not yet able to leave."

But as I expressed very emphatically my ability and determination to start immediately, he saw expostulation would be useless.

"Well," said he, "let me hear where you contemplate going."

I told him I should take the railway or coach to some point, I cared not where; any distant city or village from whence I could advertise for another situation. I was too hopeless then to care whither I went.

"And do you think I would permit you to leave me thus at random, going, you know not where, without any preconceived plans? Oh my poor, poor child, to be thrown thus upon the world!"

He walked the floor several times, apparently in great agitation; then, suddenly pausing, said abruptly, almost violently, "It must not be!

Agnes, don't go," lowering his voice, and placing his hand gently on my shoulder; "stay with me--become my wife. I love you and will cherish you.

No rude blast that my arm can shield you from shall a.s.sail you. My life has been one of gloom, you can render it one of sunshine. Stay, dear one, oh, stay!" and in his transport he seized my hands.

"What do you mean, Mr. Bristed?" said I, recoiling from him. "Surely, you must forget yourself and the circ.u.mstances which have so recently occurred; you have accused me of loving your brother, how, then, can I transfer my affections to you? Oh, you are cruel, cruel!"

"Forgive me," said he, penitently; "I will do anything for you, Agnes--take you away, if you wish; only let me go with you and see that you are properly cared for."

I shook my head.

"Richard may seek to find you; you may fall again into his evil hands if you insist on going thus alone."

"Mr. Bristed," said I, "thus far I have acted as you directed. I will depart at your solicitation; but further than this, I must be free. If Richard seeks me out, and I can aid him, I will do so. Degraded and fallen though he be, my love will not shrink from him. I will help him to rise."

"You are a n.o.ble woman, Agnes," he said with a sad smile, "G.o.d protect you!" and he left me.

As he went out, I heard him order the carriage. The serving-man came for my luggage, and I summoned courage to pay a farewell visit to Herbert.

The poor little invalid became very much excited at seeing me, and clung so tightly about my neck that it was with effort I could leave. I did not then inform him of my intended departure, and with an aching heart and forced smile I parted from the dear sufferer.

I met Mary in the hall; she told me Mr. Bristed had ordered her to accompany me on my journey.

I did not want her company, my mind craved solitude; I would not have her. I sought her master, and told him so. "At a time like this I must be alone," said I, excitedly; "I want no spy upon my actions. I will go wherever you wish me to go, but let me proceed alone."

"Well," said he, musingly, "I desire but to serve you. Go to the town of M., present this letter according to its directions. You refuse my further aid, but if ever you need a friend, send for me; otherwise, I will never trouble you."

I answered that I would do as he requested, and with a heavy heart entered his carriage, which was waiting to drive me to the railway station.

CHAPTER IX.

I will pa.s.s over my journey, and the lonely, miserable days which succeeded my arrival in M. I made fruitless effort to obtain service, and waited and watched for an application in my dreary lodgings until my small h.o.a.rd of wages was nigh exhausted.

I had been in the city a fortnight, broken in spirit and dejected by want of success, when I happened to bethink me of the letter Mr. Bristed had given me.

I took it from its undisturbed nook in my trunk, and having read the superscription, set about to find the party to whom it was addressed. The direction led me to a large manufacturing establishment.

The gentleman to whom it was written appeared to be a foreigner. Having presented the epistle to him, he perused it hastily, then taking my hand with great eagerness, he exclaimed:

"O Mees! I am greatly honored. Mons. Bristeed is my very good friend; I well acquaint with him in Paris. I congratulate you on having one so grand a gentleman for your acquaintance. He tell me you look for a school."

"Yes, sir," said I, glad to find my tastes had been studied; "I do desire a school."

"I will a.s.sist with pleasure, Mees. Be seated; in a few moments I will accompany you."

I sat down, wondering whither the gay, loquacious gentleman would lead me.

He soon rejoined me, hat in hand.

"Will you accept my escort, Mees; the place is near by," said he, reading the note. "No. 14 B----, street. Will you walk, or shall I call a cab?"

"I will walk," I answered, scarcely knowing what reply was expected. As we turned the corner of the street I ventured to ask:

"Is it to some school you are guiding me?"

"Ah, Mees," said he, rubbing his hands together and laughing, "it is some great secret. Mons. Bristeed would surprise you. Have a leetle patience, and all will be divulged."

We walked rapidly for a s.p.a.ce and then paused before a handsome building.

Entering the courtyard, we rang the silver bell. A servant answered our summons and invited us in. Seated in the drawing-room, I heard the buzz of many voices.

"Is it an academy?" I whispered to Monsieur Pilot, my conductor. He smiled encouragingly.

"This is a young ladies' seminary, Mees."

Before I could question further, the room door opened, and a lady of tall, imposing figure entered.

Monsieur Pilot commenced a vehement conversation with her in French. She responded in the same tongue. The dialogue ended, he turned to me and said:

"Mees Reef, permit me to introduce you to Madame Fontenelle."

Madame smiled very graciously upon me, and then recommenced the gesticulation and babble of the two. At length she appeared satisfied with the understanding at which they arrived. I was growing uneasy at their prolonged volubility, when Monsieur Pilot pirouetted up to me, and said:

"Mees Reef, I beg to congratulate you. Madame consents to transfer this mansion into your hands, She accepts our recommendation and that of your own intelligent countenance. Mons. Bristeed was not mistaken in the impression you would make. I wish you joy in having become the proprietress of this splendid inst.i.tution."

"How," I cried in astonishment; "I proprietor? I do not understand.

Please explain."

Madame looked blandly on; my remarks were evidently unintelligible to her.

"It is a very onerous and responsible position, Mademoiselle"--shrugging her shoulders--"I should not like to advise you. Do you comprehend the extent of the undertaking? I should not be willing to trust my pupils in timid hands."