educated. She had some false views of life, natural to her position; but,
apart from this, was a girl of sound sense and great force of character.
Thus far in life, she had not encountered circumstances of a nature
calculated to develop what was in her. The time for that, however, was
approaching. Miriam, her sifter, was a quiet, gentle, retiring, almost
timid girl. She went into company with reluctance, and then always shrunk
as far from observation as it was possible to get. But, like most quiet,
retiring persons, there were deep places in her mind and heart. She thought
and felt more than was supposed. All who knew Miriam, loved her. Of the
younger children we need not here speak.

Mrs. Darlington knew comparatively nothing of the world beyond her own
social circle. She was, perhaps, as little calculated for doing what she
proposed to do as a woman could well be. She had no habits of economy, and
had never, in her life, been called upon to make calculations of expense in
household matters. There was a tendency to generosity rather than
selfishness in her character; and she rarely thought evil of any one. But
all that she was need not here be set forth, for it will appear as our
narrative progresses.

Mr. Hiram Ellis, the brother of Mrs. Darlington, to whom brief allusion has
been made, was not a great favorite in the family--although Mr. Darlington
understood his good qualities, and very highly respected him--because he
had not much that was prepossessing in his external appearance, and was
thought to be a little eccentric. Moreover, he was not rich--merely holding
the place of book-keeper in an insurance office, at a moderate salary. But,
as he had never married, and had only himself to support, his income
supplied amply all his wants, and left him a small annual surplus.

After the death of Mr. Darlington, he visited his sister much more