the little pile of gold with almost awe.

"Yes, child, but there won't, not unless you're _very_ saving,
and ask all sensible questions about how to go and how best to find
Lovedy. You must walk as much as you can, Cecile, and live very
plain, for you may have to go a power of miles--yes, a power, before
you find my girl; and ef you're starving, you must not touch those
four notes of money, only the fifteen pounds. Remember, only that;
and when you get to the little villages away in France, you may go to
the inns and ask there ef an English girl wor ever seen about the
place. You describe her, Cecile--tall, a tall, fair English girl,
with hair like the sun; you say as her name is Lovedy--Lovedy Joy.
You must get a deal o' sense to do this business proper, Cecile; but
ef you has sense and patience, why you will find my girl."

"There's only one thing, stepmother," said Cecile; "I'll do
everything as you tells me, every single thing; I'll be as careful as
possible, and I'll save every penny; but I can't go to look for your
Lovedy without Maurice, for I promised father afore ever I promised
you as I'd never lose sight on Maurice till he grew up, and it 'ud be
too long to put off looking for Lovedy till Maurice was grown up,
stepmother."

"I suppose it would," answered Cecile's stepmother; "'tis a pity,
for he'll spend some of the money. But there, it can't be helped, and
you'll do your best. I'll trust you to do yer werry best, Cecile."

"My werry, werry best," said Cecile earnestly.

"Well, child, there's only one thing more. All this as I'm telling