quite cried about you. I wish I could send you some clothes, for I am sure you would look well in good clothes, and I am certain that you deserve to be well dressed. I hope that you will find the pie nice; I bought it at a confectioner's in the Marine Parade, where I walk every day that the weather is fine and the streets not wet, for papa is so afraid of my catching cold, that Mrs. Stammers, my governess, who lives in Sussex Square, never permits me to walk out when the pavement is damp. Hoping that you will enjoy the wine and pie, and soon get a new coat, I remain, yours truly, LEONORA BRAND.' Then there was a postscript, which stated that she had signed her name quite by mistake, and that I must not look at it for the world; she trusted that I shouldn't be able to make it out, as she had twice drawn her pen through it."

'Stop, Hor', dear, I want to give Mrs. Cavehalf a glass more wine," said Mrs. Honeybun; "and as I am convinced that you are tired, I shall give you a little drop also."

"Now, am I to proceed, Mrs. Cave?" asked Mr. Honeybun. "I am so afraid that I am fatiguing you."

"Not at all," replied Emma; "I feel quite interested in

your narration."

"I knew you would be," said Mrs. Honeybun.

Of course the letter was from one of the boarding-school misses before whom I had acted on the preceding evening. I laughed heartily at the simplicity of the little maiden, and as I sipped the wine which her bounty had provided, I vowed I would rest neither night or day till I had discovered my feminine admirer. I had not much trouble, either to find Mrs. Stammers's educational establishment, or to discover her boarder, Leonora Brand. By means of a little bribery, I coaxed one of Mrs. Stammers's servant maids to convey a letter to the fair Leonora, and we met-loved-and the day on which she ran away from the educational establishment in Sussex Square, she became my wife."

"Indeed I did," said Mrs. Honeybun with tears in her eyes, " and I have never had cause to regret that day!"

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'Well, Leonora learned to act; and, being a quick clever creature, soon prattled through Chamber-maids and Countrygirls, and we managed to get along till my old manager died, and we were thrown out of engagement. Having no children

we struggled on till we joined Mr. Jessamy, where we had the pleasure of meeting you, Mrs. Cave. Now, I didn't tell you that Leonora was the daughter of a rich merchant, who would not own her after she had married an actor."

"No!" said Emma.

"Her father died," continued Mr. Honeybun, "a year after our union, and though she was an only child, he left all his wealth to a distant relative, who died last week

"And who has left me all the property that my papa bestowed upon him!" said Mrs. Honeybun. "Now isn't it a wonderful story?"

"I congratulate you heartily, my friends," said Emma. "Yes, we received the good news two days before the arrival of your letter," continued Mrs. Honeybun, so we left the theatre-gave up our lodgings, and hurried hither (for Hor' has taken a great fancy to Scarborough),-and now, what can we do for you?"

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I am grateful for your prompt attention," said Emma. "You've nothing to be grateful about," rejoined the goodnatured little woman, "" so don't bother yourself." "Don't bother yourself," chimed in the husband.

"Nothing but deep and sore distress," said Emma, "could have tempted me to trouble you."

'Now, it strikes me that we had better retire for a while," said Mr. Honeybun, "and when your husband returns you can tell him all about us, and we will look in again in the evening."

And after many kind words, Mrs. Honeybun slipped a couple of sovereigns into Emma's hand, and hastily left the room, followed by her husband.

CHAPTER XII.

"OLD TIME, the clock-setter-that bald sexton, Time,” despite his many years,-hath right nimble limbs; and on, on, unceasingly he gallops, shifting the scenes in this life's drama, and with touches of his magic scythe, working wondrous changes. We cannot clog his footsteps, or stay his flight one single second. He writes his name in every face and too often erases from our hearts love's first impressions. Moreover, he is the great physician who healeth all wounds.

Four years have fled since the events recorded in the last chapter four years of toil and suffering to Emma, who is now the mother of five children. Through the kindly aid of the Honeybuns, Julius and his family were relieved from their distress. After a time, Emma partially recovered; an engagement was procured, and again they were wandering from town to town. It is impossible to detail all the hardships and trials to which poor Emma and her children were daily exposed. Wretched lodgings, scanty meals, incessant study and practice, combined with the constant wear and tear of mind and body, rendered such an existence a positive burden. But endurance was strong within the mother's breast, and uncomplainingly she bore her hard and bitter lot. Had Julius been an affectionate companion, Emma's life (despite its countless difficulties and sore vicissitudes) would have glided on happily; for, in her heart "love was an eternal plant."

Julius's every hope was centred in Zarina, whose beauty each succeeding day developed more and more.

"She will one day be a great star," mused Julius: "let her but reach London, and her fortune will be made in no time. In the great city, beauty, they say, is more prized than talent; but 'Rina possesses both those treasures, for she is lovely and clever too. Ay, all London shall one day ring with the praises of my 'Rina. I have dreamed of that vast metropolis till I have grown quite heart-sick. I have ability, energy, and youth, and one day I shall have preferment.

I

Yes, it shall come: I need then sue no longer, for I shall be able to command that which I have craved so long. Somebody called wealth a bauble-a plaything for the weak and vain. Bah! that somebody was a fool, whose stomach never ached for food; whose limbs were well protected from winter's nipping cold; whose fireside shone brightly; whose soft pillow, unruffled by care, yielded him sweet repose. Ha, ha! there will come a day when I shall clutch this bauble, wealth: I see all-all I desire-in the far-off future ! 'Rina is the pilot who will guide us into safe anchorage."

And with this hope in his heart, Julius worked day and night his mornings were spent in instructing his two little girls in the rudiments of dancing, and his nights were devoted to his business. Julius gradually altered his manners as 'Rina grew older he was less harsh to Emma-or rather, his harshness had assumed a different form. He patronized and domineered, and affected a fussy importance and dictatorial style; he was evidently preparing himself for some marvellous change of position. He dreamed-day-dreamed; he built castles in the air; he lolled in an imaginary carriage with his 'Rina by his side. Sometimes in these wild vapoury visions, puffed up with conceit, he would see a mob surround and unhorse his vehicle, and drag it through the streets to his handsome house in one of the west-end squares. Anon the scene would change, and 'Rina, with a coronet on her brow, stood glittering before him.

One day Emma returned home from rehearsal before her husband: scarcely had she crossed the threshold of her apartment when 'Rina, with a letter in her hand, came skipping round her.

"Look, look, mamma, at what the postman brought !—a letter, with such a big seal, for you, mamma!"

"A letter for me, my child !" said Emma, throwing off her shawl.

"Yes; indeed, mamma ! M-r-s. C-a-v-e, Mrs. Cave; there! now won't you believe it's for you?"

on the seal there's

"And oh, mamma!" cried Clotilda, " such a funny thing, which we can't make out."

"Let me see, said Emma, taking the letter, and examining the seal: "oh! my dears, this is meant to represent a sphinx."

"And what's a sphinx, mamma?" asked 'Rina, putting her hand on the letter-" No, no, don't read it till you tell me what a sphinx is."

"You must ask your papa; I am not learned."

The door opened, and Julius entered.

"Oh, pa', I'm so glad you are come !" exclaimed 'Rina,— "what's a sphinx?"

"The sphinx, my darling, is a fabulous monster, with the head of a woman, the wings of a bird, and the claws and body of a lion."

"Oh, my! and ma' has all that on her letter!" said Clotilda.

"What letter?" inquired Julius, his face flushing.

"Here it is!" said Emma; "I have not yet broken the seal; I am wondering who could have written the epistle." "Pshaw! just like woman's folly!" exclaimed Julius in an impatient tone. "Here, get my dinner ready, and I'll

read the letter.

"Very well, dear Julius," was the quiet rejoinder.

""Tis from the Honeybuns," said he, after a moment's pause.

"How kind of them to think of our poor selves!

"I don't see anything particularly kind in their penning us a few lines!" returned Julius; "I dare say that flighty little woman, Mrs. Huneybun, has nothing to do, and is glad to get a chance of chatting, even upon paper."

"Oh, Julius! they were very good to us; I shall never forget what I owe them."

"Pooh ! do hold your tongue, and let me read the scrawl! Ah, as I expected, all about her Hor'! regular woman's gossip; all angles crossed and recrossed ;-there, read it yourself!"

Your dinner is ready!" said Emma; "and now, children, eat yours; and, 'Rina, be careful how you feed Alphonso." "Yes, mamma."

"They are living near Newcastle-upon-Tyne," said Emma perusing her friend's letter.

"Oh, are they?"

"Yes

and here Emma read on for a few moments

"Oh, what do you think, Julius?"

"What now?”