no regard for another’s feelings.  Ah me! this is one more lesson of the many I have to learn; but let me bear up with a brave heart.  There is one who knows my path, and who will see that nothing therein need cause my feet to stumble.  From this moment I will think of all here as strangers.  I will faithfully do what I have engaged to do, and expect therefor only the compensation agreed upon when I came.  Have I a right to expect more?”

The bright colour faded gradually from the flushed cheeks of Jessie Hampton, and with a calm, yet pensive face, she arose and went down into the room which had been set apart for her use when giving instruction to the children.  It was warmed and lighted, and had in it a small library.  Here she sat alone, reading and thinking, for a couple of hours, and then retired to her chamber for the night.

As was intimated in the conversation that arose upon her leaving the drawing-room, Jessie Hampton’s circumstances had suffered, in a very short period, a great change.  A year before she was the equal and companion of Fanny Freeman, and more beloved and respected by those who knew her than Fanny was or ever could be; but unexpected reverses came.  The relative who had been to her as a father for many years was suddenly deprived of all his worldly goods, and reduced so low as to be in want of the comforts of life.  So soon as Jessie saw this, she saw plainly her duty.

“I cannot burden my uncle,” said she resolutely to herself.  “He has enough, and more than enough, to bear up under, without the addition of my weight.”  Thoughtfully she looked around her; but still in doubt what to do, she called upon a lady named Mrs. Carlton, who was among the few whose manner towards her had not changed with altered fortune, and frankly opened to her what was in her mind.

“What does your uncle say?” inquired Mrs. Carlton.  “Does he approve the step?”

“He knows nothing of my purpose,” returned Jessie.

“Then had you not better consult him?”

“He will not hear of it, I am certain; but, for all that, I am resolved to do as I propose.  He has lost his property, and is now in great trouble.  He is, in fact, struggling hard to keep his head above water:  my weight might sink him.  But, even if there were no danger of this, so long as I am able to sustain myself, I will not cling to him while he is tossed on the waves of adversity.”

“I cannot but highly approve your decision,” said Mrs. Carlton, her heart warm with admiration for the right-minded girl.  “The fact that your uncle has been compelled to give up his elegant house, and retire with you to a boarding-house, shows the extremity to which he has been reduced.  I understand that his fine business is entirely broken up, and that, burdened with debts, he has commenced the world again, a few hundred dollars all his capital in trade, resolved, if health and a sound mind be continued to him, to rise above all his present difficulties.”