TURNS OF FORTUNE. 37

earnest about it. He thought it was perfectly
in accordance with the old miser’s character,
that he should procure or make such a docu-
ment; though he considered it very extraordi-
nary, for many reasons, that it should have im-
posed upon men more penetrating and learned
than himself.

Sarah Bond, after his departure, endeavoured
to conceal her anxiety from her niece; but in
vain. Mabel was too clear-sighted ; and it was
a relief, as much as an astonishment to her
aunt, to see how bravely she bore up against.
the evil news. Miss Bond did not remember
that the knowledge of the power of wealth does
not belong to sixteen summers. Mabel knew
and thought so little of its artificial influence,
that she believed her happiness sprang from
birds and flowers, from music, and dancing,
and books—those silent but immortal tongues
that live through centuries, for our advantage ;
besides, her young heart welled forth so much
hope, that she really did not understand, even
if they lost their fortune, their “ troublesome
fortune,” as she called it, that it would seriously
affect their happiness, 'There was no philoso-
phy, no heroism in this; .it was simply the im-
pulse of a bright, sunny, beautiful young mind.

The course of events promised soon to strip
Mabel of all except her own bright conceptions.
Mr. Alfred Bond urged on his plea with all the
energy and bitterness of one who had been for