"Never trouble about me, my daughter; go and stay a year, if no
longer; that's a short period of time, when it is past. Go for the
improvement you will get. Go and become distinguished, my child;"
and the ambitious parent's eye kindled with a new light at the
thought.

Leah made no reply, and the father, releasing the delicate hand he
had so tenderly held, said again and again, "Never mind me, child,
never mind me; a year's a short time. Go and become distinguished."

The banker went to his counting-house that day, elated with the
project for his daughter's pleasure and improvement, little dreaming
where, or for what purpose, this plan was conceived; and Leah spent
its lonely hours in sorrow and in tears.






CHAPTER XXI.





LE GRANDE'S DIARY.

"October 3.