there was something very familiar in her countenance.

"My name is Miss Ellison," said the stranger, in a low, tremulous
voice. "I believe you know my mother, sir."

"Oh, very well," quickly returned Paul. "You are not Lucy Ellison,
surely?"

"Yes, sir, my name is Lucy," returned the young lady.

"Can it be possible? Why, it seems but yesterday that you were a
little girl. How rapidly time flies! How is your mother, Miss
Ellison? She is one of my old friends."

"She is well, I thank you, sir," Lucy replied, casting her eyes
timidly to the floor.

There was a pause. While Paul was turning over in his mind what next
to say, and slightly wondering what could be the cause of this
visit, the young lady said, "Mr. Burgess, my mother desired me to
call upon you to ask your interest in procuring me the situation of
French teacher in Mr. C----'s school. Since my father's death, our
means of living have become so much reduced that it is necessary for
me to do something to prevent absolute want from overtaking us."

Lucy's voice trembled very much, and once or twice a choking
sensation in her throat prevented the utterance of a word; but she
strove resolutely with herself, and was able to finish what she
wished to say more calmly.