that I have already made one or two efforts to see Mr. C----, but
without succeeding in my object. He happened not to be at home when
I called."

Lucy stammered out a reply, bade Mr. Burgess good-morning, and
returned home with a heavy heart. She had little doubt but that the
vacancy was already supplied. Scarcely half an hour elapsed, when a
note was left. It was briefly as follows:--

"Mr. Burgess's compliments to Mrs. Ellison. Is very sorry to say
that the vacancy in Mr. C----'s seminary has already been filled. If
in any thing else Mr. B. can be of any service, Mrs. E. will please
feel at perfect liberty in calling upon him. He exceedingly regrets
that his application to Mr. C----was not more successful."

The note dropped from the hands of Mrs. Ellison, and she groaned
audibly. Lucy snatched it up, and took in its contents at a single
glance. She made no remark, but clasped her hands together and drew
them tightly across her breast, while her eyes glanced involuntarily
upward.

About an hour afterwards, a lady who felt a good deal of interest in
Mrs. Ellison, and who knew of the application that was to be made
through Mr. Burgess to Mr. C----, called in to express her sincere
regret at Lucy's having failed to secure the situation, a knowledge
of which had just reached her ears.

"Nothing but the neglect of Mr. Burgess to call upon Mr. C----at
once, as he promised to do, has prevented Lucy from getting the
place!" she said, with the warmth of a just indignation. "A person