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was prevented from meeting her on the arrival of the boat. “A great disappointment, my dear,” Mrs. Taylor said; “we have not seen each other for six months, but it will give me two or three days more here. I shall be able to see something of my friends, and perhaps hear of a position for you. . . . Now be sure and take the day quietly—you look quite pulled down and wretched.”

She was gone, with a smile for the white face, but some inward misgivings. The child looked downright delicate just now. How was it possible to recommend a girl who seemed anything but strong? It was rather a difficult matter, but she would certainly do her best for the poor little thing. Meanwhile the poor little thing spent two days that were utterly dreary. Lonely though she had often been with Miss Sidmouth, at least there was some reason and meaning in her existence then; now she might disappear at any moment and it would not matter to anybody at all. During her short stay in Vancouver she had still been keyed up by the excitement of her escape; solitude had seemed a small thing then, but here it was weighing on her and crushing her absolutely. She did not feel very strong; there was no one of whom she might ask protection as a right within thousands of miles, and in her purse there remained only three sovereigns and a few odd pieces of silver. She wondered why she did not feel more grateful and relieved at the suggestion made by Mrs. Taylor on the second evening.

“I have been speaking to my sister to-day,” she began. “You know she has a nice little cottage about half an hour’s journey out of town. She has three young children, and since her nurse is leaving she is thinking of trying a nursery governess instead. I mentioned you, and she would like to see you, to talk things over. Now what do you think, my dear? Are you strong enough?”

“Oh, yes, I’m quite strong.” Pamela was furious at