came, it is true, but the seeds of a fatal disease had been
implanted in his system, and had taken a deadly hold; in a few
months he was no more, and as nearly all his money had been eaten up
in paying travelling and medical expenses, poor Beatrice was left
once more not only without a friend but without a penny in the world.
Mr. Richards had paid her school fees annually in advance, and as at
the time of his demise several months of the term paid for were
unexpired, Beatrice had a comfortable home secured for her at least
during that period; for the future she would either have to perform
menial services at the school, or go out in the cold world without a
friend or protector. The former was considered by the poor girl
preferable to going she knew not where, and so she accepted the
offer of a situation as housemaid, kindly proffered to her by
Mrs. Thompson _out of pure charity_ at two dollars per month less
than the previous occupant of the situation.

Poor Beatrice had a hard time of it as housemaid. Her former
companions took a fiendish delight in ordering her about till her
life became perfectly unbearable. She had but one friend to whom she
could unreservedly pour forth her troubles, her Sunday-School teacher,
Miss Flint. To this lady she gave an account of her history, so far
as she was able, and asked her for advice and assistance. Miss Flint,
being both sensible and charitably disposed, advised her to leave
her present position, having first procured a suitable one elsewhere,
and she promised to exert herself to this end.

Among the numerous acquaintances of Miss Flint was Mrs. De Beaumont,
a Southern lady of means, whose husband held a high official
position in New Orleans. Mrs. De Beaumont had, in order to avoid
the yellow fever epidemic, taken up her residence temporarily in