64 Turnaside Cottage.

 

smiling at my anxious glance of enquiry, “but to
my own kind old tutor, who is settled now in a
small lodging on this side of Rhydcwm. He used
to teach my sisters and I when we were little,
and when I went yesterday to bid him good-bye, it
occurred to me to tell him about you, and he offers
to teach you in the evenings, if you can go to him.
You would like that, would you not?”

“Yes, miss,” said I, trying not to cry, as I thought
how desolate I should be without her.

“He is very kind and gentle,” she went on, “and
so fond of study, that I remember it used to be
quite a pleasure to learn of him. I thought you
could go to him after tea, when Monna is safe in
her stall. He is in Mrs. Howells’ lodgings, so you
see you will not have any part of the town to go
through. I will give you a note to him ; and mind,
you must take it him as soon as I am gone.”

She went on talking and planning, but I was so
filled with the thought of her going, that I fear I
did not half respond as I might have done to her
efforts to cheer me, and seldom got beyond a
mournful submission to all that she proposed.

The day of Miss Churchill’s departure broke
stormy and wild. The rain came down in scuds of
driving mist, but I was out as soon as it was light,
gathering a nosegay of such wild flowers as the