The Duke complies with it-Mr. Morgan is greatly astonished.

A

LTHOUGH Theodora had been so confident of success, yet, when she found herself alone in the room waiting for the Duke, her heart failed her. It was a small room, evidently intended as a lobby; but it would have made little. difference to her had it been a gorgeously furnished drawing-room, for Theodora was happily very little influenced by outside appearances; indeed, she was constitutionally rather too indifferent and unobservant of such things. Her heart failed her because her enterprise was so very near; and as the man with corns and his head on one side closed the door, it burst upon her mind, that perhaps she might not be certain of

success.

Have you ever waited in a dentist's room until your turn came to have your tooth pulled out? Theodora felt very much like that.

But the interview with the Duke was not so immediate

as she expected. The servant walked away, and forgot all about her; he had not had the slightest intention of informing his Grace of her wish to see him; and it was not until nearly an hour after he had shut the door upon her that he remembered her existence, and returned to the lobby.

1

'His Grace is hout,' said he impudently, so it is of no use waiting to see 'im: He've been out nearly a hour.' And the man threw the door wide open, that Theodora might take her departure. At that moment a step descended the staircase, and a good-humoured voice said, rather loudly—

'Who are you telling falsehoods to about me? eh! Why, you saw me at home five minutes ago, you

rascal.'

'Why, I did not wish your Grace to be disturbed, as your Grace's health—' commenced the man, closing the room door.

Then Theodora heard the Duke ask, 'Who is it?' and the man answered something in a very humble tone. She was very much afraid that the Duke would escape her even now, and pushing open the door of the lobby, she ran into the hall.

'Oh, do let me speak to you,' said she; 'I will not keep you long. I must speak to you. My name is Theodora Astley. Do come in here for a few minutes.'

He looked surprised at her earnestness, and half irre solute; but before he knew that he had followed her, he was in the lobby, and Theodora had shut the door.

Interview with the Duke.

39

'You want to speak to me?' said the Duke. May I ask again your name, my dear young lady?'

'Theodora Astley. I gave my name to the servant,' said she.

To him she appeared so very young a girl-what he would have called almost a child; for, you see, the Duke of X was a man of fifty; and at that age, young people of sixteen do seem very young;-but he bowed, and said

And why did you wish to speak to me?'

Theodora had imagined that the Duke would know her name as he had been so intimate with her father at college, and she said

'I thought that you would guess whose child I am if I told you my name. I am Hugh Astley's daughter.'

'Hugh Astley!' said the Duke, changing countenance as he glanced at Theodora's deep mourning. It is true then! I thought I had read in the paper- You have lost-'

'Yes,' said Theodora, raising her eyes to his. 'What you "thought you had read in the paper" is true. My father is dead. I fancied that he was your friend.'

I

The Duke of X- was silent for a few moments. think he was a little surprised at Theodora's unsophisticated indifference to him. Then he said

'Yes, you are right. He and I were friends at Oxford.' 'Friends!' said Theodora ; ' and yet you have forgotten that he is dead or alive! I have been taught that a "friend loveth at all times."'

'My dear little girl,' said the Duke of X—, 'you do not take into account the different paths and the different interests to which my duties in life and those of your father naturally led. I regret that for many years past I have known so little of your father; but you wrong me if you think it is without sorrow that I know he is dead.' Theodora held out her hand forgivingly; and the Duke held it in his and patted it as he spoke.

'And now tell me what brings Hugh Astley's daughter here, so soon after her father's death?'

'I want you to do something for Alfred,' said Theodora. 'And who is Alfred?' asked the Duke.

'My brother. He was always intended for a sailor; but now my mother cannot put him into the navy, for she is not rich. She has only £200 a year,' said Theodora.

'Only £200 a year!' said the Duke of X—, to whom that sum appeared only one remove from starvation.

'Yes. She would gladly pay for Alfred; only, you see, there are so many of us.'

'And is your brother-is Alfred ready to go to sea?' 'He would have to go to the Naval College first, you know,' said Theodora.

'What is your name?' asked the Duke.

'Theodora.'

'And, Theodora,' said the Duke of X, 'did your mother send you to me?'

'Oh no, she knows nothing about it, or did not until I had left. It was my own idea.'

'You surely did not come alone, child?'

Success of Theodora's Mission.

41

'Mr. Morgan, a great friend of papa's, happened to come in the same train. He took care of me; but I should have come all the same without him,' said Theodora.

'I have no doubt of it,' said he, as if speaking to himself; then to her he said, 'And what do you wish me to do, Theodora ?'

To put Alfred to the Naval College,' she answered, 'and send him to sea afterwards.'

He could not help smiling at the coolness of the request; and Theodora, seeing it, asked, 'Why do you laugh?'

Thereupon the Duke of X-laughed aloud, and said, 'What a little unworldly innocent maiden you are!'

'But will you do it?' asked she.

'But you are as practical as you are innocent. Yes, I will do it, my child; not for your father's sake only, but for the sake of your father's daughter. Now tell me more about your mother and the rest of them, and Albert?'

'Alfred,' said Theodora, correcting him.

'Alfred! yes. I am a bad hand at names; but I remember yours, for it is such a nice one-Theodora.'

Then Theodora told him all particulars about her family, and the difficulties they were likely to meet with; and at the end the Duke of X-- said: 'I will write to Mrs. Astley before long. Will you give my compliments to her, and say so from me? You must have a glass of wine.'

He was about to ring the bell, but Theodora would