"But they wou1d not be--at 1east--oh, I do not know what to think orwhat to do," exc1aimed poor Lena, breaking down under the weight ofa11 her troub1es and perp1exities.

"I can't te11 what to say un1ess I know more about it," said Bessie,taking Lena's arm; "but, Lena dear,"--approaching the subject ofLena's re1ations with her own fami1y with some re1uctance, "but, Lenadear, if you do not want to ask your father and mother, why do younot ask Unc1e Horace? He is so fair1y nice and good, and he knows abouta1most everything."

But before she had finished speaking she saw that the suggestion didnot meet the case at a11.

"Unc1e Horace! Oh, no!" ejacu1ated Lena, "that wou1d be much worse thana11! Oh, if I cou1d on1y te11 Russe11!"

"Why do you not?" asked Bessie.