I was sorry for that circumstance when heavier troubles ought to have made me forget it." "Your aunt is dead ?" "Yes, a fortnight since, and she died full of regret, which I could not chase from her mind; she kept repeating, even during the last night of her existence, 'Frances, you will be so lonely when I am gone, so friendless:' she wished too that she could have been buried in Switzerland, and it was I who persuaded her in her old age to leave the banks of Lake Leman, and to come, only as it seems to die, in this flat region of Flanders.

Willingly would I have observed her last wish, and taken her remains back to our own country, but that was impossible; I was forced to lay her here." "She was ill but a short time, I presume ?" "But three weeks.

When she began to sink I asked Mdlle.

Reuter's leave to stay with her and wait on her; I readily got leave." "Do you return to the pensionnat!" I demanded hastily.
"Monsieur, when I had been at home a week Mdlle.

Reuter called one evening, just after I had got my aunt to bed; she went into her room to speak to her, and was extremely civil and affable, as she always is; afterwards she came and sat with me a long time, and just as she rose to go away, she said: "Mademoiselle, I shall not soon cease to regret your departure from my establishment, though indeed it is true that you have taught your class of pupils so well that they are all quite accomplished in the little works you manage so skilfully, and have not the slightest need of further instruction; my second teacher must in future supply your place, with regard to the younger pupils, as well as she can, though she is indeed an inferior artiste to you, and doubtless it will be your part now to assume a higher position in your calling; I am sure you will everywhere find schools and families willing to profit by your talents.' And then she paid me my last quarter's salary.