THEIR FAMILY TROUBLES. 23

“Are we alone?” asked she, casting her mournful
eyes round the room. “ We are, mother,” said the
boy, throwing himself on his knees at the bed’s foot ;
“there is only the lady, and you and me.”

She looked steadily at Miss Kendrick, and then
said, slowly and with difficulty, “I am Rebecca—
your unhappy, outcast sister. God brought me here
to die. I knew it a8 I entered the town, when the
baggage-train could not enter the market-place, but
made halt before the very house where I had been a
child—from whence I set out when I took my fate
into my own hands!”

Joanna, petrified with astonishment and compas-
sion, seized her hand and gazed into her face.

“Yes,” said the woman, “I am Rebecca, your
sister, though you may not recognise me.”

“My poor, unhappy sister!” exclaimed J oanna,
embracing her with tears. “Thank God that you
are found at last! You shall live with us—-with
Dorothy and me—you shall yet be happy !”

“ Never more in this world !” interrupted she. “I
know I have not long to live, and yet I have much to
say—let me speak while I have the power.— My
first husband died. 1 thought to mend my condition.
I married a second time ; but there was not a bless-
ing on anything I did. I married yet more unhap-
pily. I have had nine children by my two husbands,
The youngest child, a girl, is left behind with its
grandmother,—a good woman. This is my youngest.
boy,—he is my Benjamin. The two older than he
died. It was good for them. Of the other six two
are married, two are beyond seas, and one—oh my
God, have pity on the outcasts of society ; for all are
thy children!” After a long pause, she again pro-