CHAPTER III.
AUGUSTA'S LITTLE SISTER.
When Augusta left Meeson's she was in a very sad condition of mind, to explain which it will be necessary to say a word or two about that young lady's previous history.

Her father had been a clergyman, and, like most clergymen, not overburdened with the good things of this world.

When Mr.
Smithers--or, rather, the Rev.James Smithers--had died, he left behind him a widow and two children--Augusta, aged fourteen, and Jeannie, aged two.

There had been two others, both boys, who had come into the world between Augusta and Jeannie, but they had both preceded their father to the land of shadows.

Mrs.Smithers, had, fortunately for herself, a life interest in a sum of L7000, which, being well invested, brought her in L350 a year: and, in order to turn this little income to the best possible account and give her two girls the best educational opportunities possible under the circumstances, she, on her husband's death, moved from the village where he had for many years been curate, into the city of Birmingham.