"Thank you--thank you," he replied eagerly; "I shall not prove
otherwise than worthy of your friendship. These are your children?" he
continued, changing the conversation.

"Yes," she replied, with a look of pride upon her little daughter and
the sleeping infant on the sofa; "these are my little family."

Mr. Awtry took the little girl upon his knees and commenced caressing
it, and, after remaining for a few moments in unimportant
conversation, took his departure with the promise to call at some
future time.

As soon as he left Mrs. Wentworth sat down, and resting her hands on
the table, spoke to herself on the visit she had received. "What could
have induced him to pay me this visit?" she said, musingly; "it is
strange--very strange that he should choose this particular time to
renew our acquaintance! He spoke honestly, however, and may be sincere
in his offers of assistance, should I ever need anything. He is
wealthy, and can certainly aid me." She sat there musing, until the
little girl, coming up to her, twined her tiny arms round her mother's
neck, and asked if it was not time to light the gas.

"Yes, darling," said Mrs. Wentworth, kissing her fondly; "call Betsy
and let her get a light."

After the negro had lit the gas, Mrs. Wentworth said to her, "Should
that gentleman, who was here to-day, call at any time again, let me
know before you admit him."