departed, and Helen, having deposited all safely, returned with the keys in her hand, Lady Anne said, with earnest anxiety,

"Pray accept the custody of those keys, Mrs. Palmer; French servants are, in my opinion, less subject to literally robbing than English ones. Fanchette was an importunate beggar and a petty depredator; but I don't think she would have made the bold effort she did, if she had not been pressed. As I must necessarily have strangers about me, after what has happened, I ought to be careful; so you shall take my keys, and my casket, too, my kind friend, until——"

There was a pause, and the heart of the good listener beat more quickly as her eyes filled with unwonted drops. The invalid has at length ascertained her true state; what more may she not say relative to those eternal concerns we are so foolishly for bidden to mention!

"Until," resumed the patient, "I am better, and the month of May is over."

The heart of Mrs. Palmer sank within her; and although grieved to leave Helen, whose looks distinctly said, "I, too, am disappointed," she yet rose to go, taking with her, from the hands of