58 THE SILVER LAKE STORIES.

Diana was separated from her husband
on account of his intemperance, and he
would not allow her to see or hear from
her child. This was the great grief of
Diana's life; and this, too, was the
reason of her kindness to Maggy; for
she seemed to have an idea that as she
treated this little orphan stranger, so
she might expect her own child to be
treated, by those among whom her lot
was cast.

Matthew, the coachman, too, seemed
to take a liking to the child; and in
compliance with her earnest entreaties,
he taught her to read and write when
he could find or make time. But it is