TURNS OF FORTUNE. 45

agining that persons ought to know her thoughts
and feelings, without her explaining them. But
her mind and judgment had been so enfeebled
by illness and mental suffering, that, even while
she opposed her opinions, she absolutely leaned
on Mabel—as if the oak called to the wood-
bine to support its branches. What gave Ma-
bel the most uneasiness, was the determination
she had formed to leave the cottage as soon as
she was able to be removed; and she was se-
riously displeased because Mabel mentioned this
intention to Mr. Goulding. Despite all poor
Mabel could urge to the contrary, they quitted
the neighbourhood—the sphere of Sarah Bond’s
sudden elevation, and as sudden depression—
alone, at night, and on foot. It was a clear,
moonlight evening, in midsummer, when the
twilight can hardly be said to give place to
darkness; and when the moon shines out so
very brightly, that the stars are reduced to pale
lone sparks of white rather than hight, in the
blue sky. It was a lovely evening; the widow
with whom they had lodged was not aware of
their intention until about an hour before their
departure. She was very poor and ignorant,
but her nature was kind; and when Sarah Bond
pressed upon her, out of her own scanty store,
a little present of money beyond her stipulated
rent, she would not take it, but accompanied
them to the little gate with many tears, receiving
charge of a farewell letter to the rector. “And
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