move, had been suddenly relaxed, and everything around me seemed
tottering to its fall. Three nights ago Miss Chinfeather had retired to
rest, as well, to all appearance, and as cheerful as ever she had been;
next morning she had been found dead in bed. This was what they told us
pupils; but so great was the awe in which I held the mistress of Park
Hill Seminary that I could not conceive of Death even as venturing to
behave disrespectfully towards her. I pictured him in my girlish fancy
as knocking at her chamber door in the middle of the night, and after
apologising for the interruption, asking whether she was ready to
accompany him. Then would she who was thus addressed arise, and wrap an
ample robe about her, and place her hand with solemn sweetness in that
of the Great Captain, and the two would pass out together into the
starlit night, and Miss Chinfeather would be seen of mortal eyes
nevermore.

Such was the picture that had haunted my brain for two days and as many
nights, while I wandered forlorn through house and playground, or lay
awake on my little bed. I had said farewell to one pupil after another
till all were gone, and the riddle which I had been putting to myself
continually for the last forty-eight hours had now been solved for me by
Mrs. Whitehead, and I had been told that I too was going home.

"To the care of Lady Chillington, Deepley Walls, Midlandshire." The
words repeated themselves again and again in my brain, and became a
greater puzzle with every repetition. I had never to my knowledge heard
of either the person or the place. I knew nothing of one or the other. I
only knew that my heart thrilled strangely at the mention of the word
_Home_; that unbidden tears started to my eyes at the thought that
perhaps--only perhaps--in that as yet unknown place there might be
someone who would love me just a little. "Father--Mother." I spoke the