side by sculptured lions.  “To see Lilly.”  The blood sprang to her cheeks, and an eager look of delight crept into the eyes.  The door was partially opened by an insolent-looking footman, whose hasty glance led him to suppose her one of the numerous supplicants for charity, who generally left that princely mansion as empty-handed as they came.  He was about to close the door; but, undaunted by this reception, she hastily asked to see Mrs. Grayson and Lillian Benton.

“Mrs. Grayson is engaged, and there is no such person here as Lillian Benton.  Miss Lilly Grayson is my young mistress’ name; but I can tell you, her mamma don’t suffer her to see the like of you; so be off.”

“Lilly is my sister, and I must see her.  Tell Mrs. Grayson Beulah Benton wishes to see her sister; and ask her also if Claudia may not see me.”

She dropped the tongue of the carriage, and the thin hands clutched each other in an agony of dread, lest her petition should be refused.  The succeeding five minutes seemed an eternity to her, and, as the door opened again, she leaned forward and held her breath, like one whose fate was in the balance.  Costly silk and dazzling diamonds met her gaze.  The settled lines of Mrs. Grayson’s pretty mouth indicated that she had a disagreeable duty to perform, yet had resolved to do it at once, and set the matter forever at rest.

“You are Mrs. Martin’s nurse, I believe, and the girl I saw at the asylum?” said she frigidly.

“Yes, madam; I am Lilly’s sister; you said I might come and see her.  Oh, if you only knew how miserable I have been since we were parted, you would not look so coldly at me!  Do, please, let me see her.  Oh, don’t deny me!”

These words were uttered in a tone of imploring agony.

“I am very sorry you happen to be her sister, and I assure you, child, it pains me to refuse you; but, when you remember the circumstances, you ought not to expect to associate with her as you used to do.  She will be educated to move in a circle very far above you; and you ought to be more than willing to give her up, when you know how lucky she has been in securing a home of wealth.  Besides, she is getting over the separation very nicely indeed, and if she were to see you even once it would make matters almost as bad as ever.  I dare say you are a good girl, and will not trouble me any further.  My husband and I are unwilling that you should see Lilly again; and though I am very sorry I am forced to disappoint you, I feel that I am doing right.”

The petitioner fell on her knees, and, extending her arms, said huskily: 

“Oh, madam! are we to be parted forever?  I pray you, in the name of God, let me see her! let me see her!”

Mrs. Grayson was not a cruel woman, far from it, but she was strangely weak and worldly.  The idea of a hired nurse associating familiarly with her adopted daughter was repulsive to her aristocratic pride, and therefore she hushed the tones of true womanly sympathy, and answered resolutely: