before her. Between the old man and herself there had
come a gradual separation, harder to bear than any former
sorrow. Every evening, and often in the day-time too, he
was absent, alone; and although she well knew where he
went, and why--too well from the constant drain upon her
scanty purse and from his haggard looks--he evaded all
inquiry, maintained a strict reserve, and even shunned her
presence.

She sat meditating sorrowfully upon this change, and
mingling it, as it were, with everything about her, when
the distant church-clock bell struck nine. Rising at the
sound, she retraced her steps, and turned thoughtfully
towards the town.

She had gained a little wooden bridge, which, thrown
across the stream, led into a meadow in her way, when she
came suddenly upon a ruddy light, and looking forward
more attentively, discerned that it proceeded from what
appeared to be an encampment of gipsies, who had made a
fire in one corner at no great distance from the path, and
were sitting or lying round it. As she was too poor to
have any fear of them, she did not alter her course (which,
indeed, she could not have done without going a long way
round), but quickened her pace a little, and kept straight on.

A movement of timid curiosity impelled her, when she
approached the spot, to glance towards the fire. There
was a form between it and her, the outline strongly de-
veloped against the light, which caused her to stop abruptly.
Then, as if she had reasoned with herself and were assured
that it could not be, or had satisfied herself that it was
not that of the person she had supposed, she went on
again.

But at that instant the conversation, whatever it was,
which had been carrying on near this fire was resumed,
and the tones of the voice that spoke--she could not dis-
tinguish words--sounded as familiar to her as her own.

She turned, and looked back. The person had been
seated before, but was now in a standing posture, and lean-
ing forward upon a stick on which he rested both hands.
The attitude was no less familiar to her than the tone of
voice had been. It was her grandfather.

Her first impulse was to call to him; her next to wonder
who his associates could be, and for what purpose they
were together. Some vague apprehension succeeded, and,
yielding to the strong inclination it awakened, she drew

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