the school; and both were destined to earn their own bread. Personally
speaking, and socially speaking, these were the only points of
resemblance between them.

Blanche was passably attractive and passably intelligent, and no more.
Anne was rarely beautiful and rarely endowed. Blanche's parents
were worthy people, whose first consideration was to secure, at any
sacrifice, the future well-being of their child. Anne's parents were
heartless and depraved. Their one idea, in connection with their
daughter, was to speculate on her beauty, and to turn her abilities to
profitable account.

The girls were starting in life under widely different conditions.
Blanche was going to India, to be governess in the household of a Judge,
under care of the Judge's wife. Anne was to wait at home until the
first opportunity offered of sending her cheaply to Milan. There, among
strangers, she was to be perfected in the actress's and the singer's
art; then to return to England, and make the fortune of her family on
the lyric stage.

Such were the prospects of the two as they sat together in the cabin of
the Indiaman locked fast in each other's arms, and crying bitterly.
The whispered farewell talk exchanged between them--exaggerated and
impulsive as girls' talk is apt to be--came honestly, in each case,
straight from the heart.

"Blanche! you may be married in India. Make your husband bring you back
to England."

"Anne! you may take a dislike to the stage. Come out to India if you