"Please take a seat," added Annie, when Mavis had obeyed the elder
Miss Mee's behest.

The girl sat down and wondered what was coming. It was some moments
before Helen spoke; she believed that delay would enhance the
impressiveness of the occasion.

"Dear Mavis," she presently began, "before I say a few parting
words, in which my sister most heartily joins, words which are not
without a few hints of kindly admonishment, that may help you along
the path you have--er--elected--yes, elected to pursue, I should
like to press on you parting gifts from my sister and myself."

Here she handed Mavis her treasured copy of The Stones of Venice,
which contained the great Mr Ruskin's autograph, together with a
handsomely bound Bible; this latter was open at the fly-leaf.

"Read," said Helen, as she looked at Mavis over her spectacles.

Mavis read as follows:

"TO DEAR MAVIS, FROM HER FRIEND, HELEN ALLPRESS MEE.

"ARE NOT TWO SPARROWS SOLD FOR A FARTHING? AND ONE OF THEM SHALL NOT
FALL ON THE GROUND WITHOUT YOUR FATHER.

"FEAR YE NOT THEREFORE, YE ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS.--St
Matthew x. 29, 31."

Mavis thanked Miss Mee and was about to press on her the trinket