in England or to remain in Canada, but, being unwilling to become
dependent on her relations, she accepted a situation as governess in
a wealthy family residing in the west end of Montreal, placing her
infant son under the charge of a nurse.

Mrs. Thomson, in whose service Mrs. O'Grady was employed, was the
wife of a wealthy English gentleman who had invested largely in
Canadian real estate and national enterprises. She had two daughters,
aged 18 and 16, respectively (whom Mrs. O'Grady was expected to train
and prepare for entrance into society), also a son about 22, who,
although educated as a lawyer, pursued no avocation other than the
collection of rents on his father's estate, and minor offices in
connection with the investment of his money. Randolph Thomson, the
young gentleman in question, suddenly became very attentive to his
sisters. There was not a single concert or ball of importance to
which he did not take them, whereas before he could rarely be
induced to accompany them anywhere. The girls never tried to account
for this sudden change in their brother's behavior, being too much
engrossed in the enjoyment of the entertainments aforesaid to
trouble their heads about the matter; Mrs. Grundy, however, had an
idea that the handsome widow who officiated as governess had
something to do with the affair, and, a rumor of the kind reaching
the ears of Mrs. Thomson, the unfortunate widow was eventually
obliged to leave the house, much to the regret of the whole family,
but especially that of Randolph, whose brotherly attentions suddenly
became less marked, and in time ceased altogether.

Mrs. O'Grady, being once more thrown on her own resources, departed
for Sherbrooke, one of the most thriving towns in the Eastern
Townships, where she endeavored to make a respectable livelihood by