opportunity to slip--you will trust your children to me. I assure you
I will do my duty by them." She spoke with real sincerity, and tears
absolutely dimmed her bright eyes. "David," she continued, "that
letter seems a Providence; you will act upon it."

"It certainly does," said the man; "but, Jane, you will be good to the
children--tender, I mean. Their mother has always been very gentle to
them."

"You need not question me as to how I will treat them. I will bring
them up as I would my own. I will do my utmost to rear them in the
fear of God. David, this clinches the matter. Write to Mr. Seymour by
this night's post."

Mr. Delaney promised to do so, and soon afterwards Mrs. Dolman,
feeling that she had done a very good and excellent work, retired, in
a thoroughly happy frame of mind, to her bedroom.




CHAPTER VI.

THE POOR DEAD 'UNS.


Mr. Delaney's bedroom faced east, and the following morning, at a very
early hour, he began to have most unpleasant dreams. He thought a
hobgoblin was seated on his chest, and several brownies were pulling
him where he did not wish to go, and finally that a gnome of enormous