"I would have found my way back to you, grandfather," said the child, boldly; "never fear."

The old man kissed her; then turned to me and begged me to walk in. I did so. The door was closed and locked. Preceding me with the light, he led me through the place I had already seen from without, into a small sitting room behind, in which was another door opening into a kind of closet, where I saw a little bed that a fairy might have slept in it looked so very small and was so prettily arranged. The child took a candle and tripped into this little room, leaving the old man and me together.

"You must be tired, sir," said he, as he placed a chair near the fire, "how can I thank you?"

"By taking more care of your grandchild another time, my good friend,” I replied.

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"More care!" said the old man in a shrill voice; more care of Nelly! Why, who ever loved a child as I love Nell?"

"I don't think you consider" I began.

"I don't consider!" cried the old man, interrupting me. “I don't consider her! Ah, how little you know of the truth! Little Nelly, little Nelly!"

It would be impossible for any man to express more affection than the dealer in curiosities did in these four words. I waited for him to speak again, but he rested his chin upon his hand, and, shaking his head twice or thrice, fixed his eyes upon the fire.

While we were sitting thus, in silence, the door of the closet opened and the child returned, her light brown hair hanging loose about her neck, and her face flushed with the haste she had made to rejoin us. She busied herself immediately in preparing supper. I was surprised to see that, all this time, everything was done by the child, and that there appeared to be no other persons but ourselves in the house. I took advantage of a moment when she was absent to venture a hint on this point, to which the old man replied that there were few grown persons as trustworthy or as careful as she.

"She is not my child, sir; her mother was, and she is poor. I save nothing -not a penny-though I live as you see; but "he laid his hand upon my arm and leaned forward to whisper-"she shall be rich one of these days, and a fine lady. Don't you think ill of me because I use her help.”

At this juncture the subject of our conversation again returned, and the old man, motioning to me to approach the table, broke off and said no more.

improbable
receptacles

frequented
surveyed

intricate

juncture

e had scarcely begun our repast when there was a at the door by which I had entered, and Nell, ing into a hearty laugh, said it was no doubt dear Kit come back at last.

Foolish Nell!" said the old man, fondling with her "She always laughs at poor Kit." The little old took up a candle and went to open the door. When me back Kit was at his heels.

t was a shambling, awkward lad, with an uncomly wide mouth, very red cheeks, a turned-up nose, certainly the most comical expression of face I ever He stopped short at the door on seeing a stranger, resting himself now on one leg and now on the r, stood in the doorway, looking into the parlor with most extraordinary leer I ever beheld.

A long way, was n't it, Kit?" said the little old man. Why then, it was a goodish stretch, master," returned

Did you find the house easily?"

Why then, not over and above easy, master," said Kit. Of course you have come back hungry?"

Why then, I do consider myself rather so, master,' the answer.

he lad had a remarkable manner of standing sides as he spoke, and thrusting his head forward over his

shoulder. I think he would have amused one anywhere, but the child's enjoyment of his oddity, and the relief it was to find that there was merriment in a place that appeared so unsuited to her, were quite irresistible. Kit himself burst into a loud roar, and stood with his mouth wide open and his eyes nearly shut, laughing violently.

The old man took no notice of what passed; but I remarked that when her laugh was over, the child's bright eyes were dimmed with tears, called forth by the fullness of heart with which she welcomed her favorite after the little anxiety of the night. As for Kit, he carried a large slice of bread and meat into a corner, and applied himself to disposing of them.

"Ah!" said the old man, turning to me with a sigh, as if I had spoken to him but that moment; "you don't know what you say when you tell me I don't consider her. Come hither, Nell."

The little girl hastened from her seat, and put her arm about his neck.

"Do I love thee, Nell?" said he. "Say, do I love thee, Nell, or no?"

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Indeed, indeed you do," replied the child, with great

earnestness.

"She is poor now," said the old man, patting the child's neck; "but I say again, the time is coming when she shall be rich. It has been a long time coming, but it must come at last; a very long time, but it surely must come."