For seven years, her father kept the child with him in Calcutta; and then she was sent home to his mother, where she remained until the old lady's increasing infirmities made the care a burden.
Mr. Morgan, hearing at last of Milly's destitute situation, consulted with his wife as to what was best to be done with the little girl. He proposed a boarding-school, and offered to be answerable for all expenses; but Mrs. Morgan, with great feeling, exclaimed:
"No, George, never to a boarding-school with my consent. What she needs is a home, where she can be loved and taught her duty."
"But we know nothing about her habits, and I cannot have our sweet Emily exposed to influences which may corrupt her pure mind."
"Listen a moment, George. Somebody certainly owes a duty to the poor orphan. If it is ours, we will undertake it, trusting in God to preserve our child from harm. We have endeavored to teach her to love her Saviour, and to pray to him to shield her from temptation. Now we must have faith to believe he will answer prayer."
"But, Priscilla, think how Milly has been brought up. You know what life in India is, from poor Ida's letters. And without a mother, the child has been tossed about from one native servant to another. I really can't see the way clear; and then think what a care for you!"
"Give me twenty-four hours to reflect," said the lady, cheerfully. "I will tell you then whether I will undertake it."
The next evening, a letter was written inviting Milly to make her uncle a visit; he volunteering a promise to pay her expenses for a year, either at his own house or at a suitable school. A week later, Milly arrived, in company with a neighbor of her grandmother, and quite a sensation did her debut create.
Milly was now in her tenth year, eight months younger than Emily. She had eyes that shone like stars; and a complexion dark as an Indian. Her form was slender, and her movements graceful. Her limbs were so supple that she could throw herself into any attitude and did so to the alarm of her aunt, who feared every moment that she would dislocate some bone.
It would be difficult to conceive a greater contrast than existed between the cousins. Emily was of fair complexion, with deep blue eyes and auburn hair. In her person and dress, she was the picture of neatness, while from her birth her parents had carefully guarded her from every breath of harm.