THE OLD BUREAU.
A NURSERY was immediately extemporised, where Phœbe and her little charge were tenderly cared for, and soon became a centre of attraction to the household. Her story, when able to tell it, was sad and simple.
"Bery hard to leab dear missy," she said, as by degrees she explained to her interested hearers, how she had received from her late mistress special directions to proceed if possible to India, and place the child under the protection of its grandmother, Mrs. Geoffrey Falconer, with strict injunctions that it was to be brought up in the Reformed faith.
"She once like you, young lady, jes' so fair and happy, but it hab to be done. And when de dear Lord say so, sure find de way to do it somehow. So when de spirit gone up to hebben, I keep all quiet, make all straight, put white lily on de breast, and step out ob dat house soft and still, while all dem priests fast asleep, and get quite out ob city, rest in day, trabel in night. Den not care, all right, for ole Phœbe know dat real dear missy not left behind, only poor body, noting but bit ob dust for dem to bodder wis, jes' fit dem and dere ways, all cold, no heart, no life.
"Afore she go, she put up pretty jewels for de chile, and gib money to pay. Money too soon gone, but tings all safe, dere dem is."
And she placed several packets in Mrs. Falconer's hands, requesting her to retain them until they should be required again.
"Den at last, get on board Englis' ship, to be safe away from de priests, can't neber breave right whar dem is, no truth in dem; and anybody who know whar de chile be, must gib her up to dem: deys de Church, ob course. Good Lord 'liber us from dere cruel ways! Him, de great good Head ob de Church neber hab crooked body like dem to be His Church. Now Phœbe know about England and missionary, and dat precious martyrs die to hold fast de truth as it is in Jesus, so me tink jes' get dere first, find de old Moat House, and Massa Guy's moder, and get put in East Indiaman to get home.
"Long as de money last, poor old Phœbe bery comfortable and brave, and full of false stuff she call faith, and tink de Lord bery good and pleasant; but ah! Money too soon go, she come to last bit ob silver, and den! She frighten and fret like any poor unbelieving sinner; so Phœbe only sunshine Christian arter all! Ah, dear lady, dem dat trust in de Lord must trust Him in cloud and darkness too, else neber know half how good and true He be. But He pass ober bad ole 'ooman's doubt and fear, and when she cry to Him, He lay her down jes' whar somebody find her, and put her to sleep, and wake up 'mong eberyting she want!"
"And in the very place where you are most wanted," said Evelyn.
"Sure. Dat de Lord's way, and His way allays de best way. You 'member dat, missy, neber you do noting 'thout askin' de Lord. Den you strong, cause He say: