Beulah - Page 54/348

"Do you mean that I am not wanted here?"

"I mean, keep your eyes open." Harriet vanished in the dark passage,

and Beulah locked the door, feeling that now she was indeed alone,

and could freely indulge the grief that had so long sought to veil

itself from curious eyes. Yet there was no disposition to cry. She

sat down on the bed and mused on the strange freak of fortune which

had so suddenly elevated the humble nurse into the possessor of that

elegantly furnished apartment. There was no elation in the quiet

wonder with which she surveyed the change in her position. She did

not belong there, she had no claim on the master of the house, and

she felt that she was trespassing on the rights of the beautiful

Pauline. Rapidly plans for the future were written in firm resolve.

She would thankfully remain under the roof that had so kindly

sheltered her, until she could qualify herself to teach. She would

ask Dr. Hartwell to give her an education, which, once obtained,

would enable her to repay its price. To her proud nature there was

something galling in the thought of dependence, and, throwing

herself on her knees for the first time in several weeks, she

earnestly besought the God of orphans to guide and assist her.