It now became clear to every soul in the house, except poor Amelia,

that Rebecca should take her departure, and high and low (always with

the one exception) agreed that that event should take place as speedily

as possible. Our good child ransacked all her drawers, cupboards,

reticules, and gimcrack boxes--passed in review all her gowns, fichus,

tags, bobbins, laces, silk stockings, and fallals--selecting this thing

and that and the other, to make a little heap for Rebecca. And going

to her Papa, that generous British merchant, who had promised to give

her as many guineas as she was years old--she begged the old gentleman

to give the money to dear Rebecca, who must want it, while she lacked

for nothing.

She even made George Osborne contribute, and nothing loth (for he was

as free-handed a young fellow as any in the army), he went to Bond

Street, and bought the best hat and spenser that money could buy.

"That's George's present to you, Rebecca, dear," said Amelia, quite

proud of the bandbox conveying these gifts. "What a taste he has!

There's nobody like him."

"Nobody," Rebecca answered. "How thankful I am to him!" She was

thinking in her heart, "It was George Osborne who prevented my

marriage."--And she loved George Osborne accordingly.

She made her preparations for departure with great equanimity; and

accepted all the kind little Amelia's presents, after just the proper

degree of hesitation and reluctance. She vowed eternal gratitude to

Mrs. Sedley, of course; but did not intrude herself upon that good lady

too much, who was embarrassed, and evidently wishing to avoid her. She

kissed Mr. Sedley's hand, when he presented her with the purse; and

asked permission to consider him for the future as her kind, kind

friend and protector. Her behaviour was so affecting that he was going

to write her a cheque for twenty pounds more; but he restrained his

feelings: the carriage was in waiting to take him to dinner, so he

tripped away with a "God bless you, my dear, always come here when you

come to town, you know.--Drive to the Mansion House, James."

Finally came the parting with Miss Amelia, over which picture I intend

to throw a veil. But after a scene in which one person was in earnest

and the other a perfect performer--after the tenderest caresses, the

most pathetic tears, the smelling-bottle, and some of the very best

feelings of the heart, had been called into requisition--Rebecca and

Amelia parted, the former vowing to love her friend for ever and ever

and ever.




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