me that she was herself only just come to London for the first time
since she was a child, having been for the last seven years at a
school in the country. I shall, however, be better able to say more
about her in my next letter. Do not, however, be afraid that she
shall ever supplant you in my heart. No, my dear friend, companion
of my days of innocence,--that can never be. But this call from
such persons of fashion looks as if the legacy had given us some
consideration; so that I think my father and mother may as well let
me know at once what my prospects are, that I might show you how
disinterestedly and truly I am, my dear Bell, yours,

RACHEL PRINGLE.


When Miss Isabella Tod had read the letter, there was a solemn pause
for some time--all present knew something, more or less, of the fair
writer; but a carriage, a carpet like the best at Eglintoun, a
Hussar officer, and two footmen in livery, were phantoms of such
high import, that no one could distinctly express the feelings with
which the intelligence affected them. It was, however, unanimously
agreed, that the Doctor's legacy had every symptom of being equal to
what it was at first expected to be, namely, twenty thousand
pounds;--a sum which, by some occult or recondite moral influence of
the Lottery, is the common maximum, in popular estimation, of any
extraordinary and indefinite windfall of fortune. Miss Becky
Glibbans, from the purest motives of charity, devoutly wished that
poor Rachel might be able to carry her full cup with a steady hand;
and the Rev. Mr. Snodgrass, that so commendable an expression might
not lose its edifying effect by any lighter talk, requested Mr.
Micklewham to read his letter from the Doctor.