As the reader has very naturally inferred, the circumstances of Mrs. Ellison were of rather a pressing nature.  Her family consisted of three children, of whom Lucy was the eldest.  Up to the time of her husband’s death, she had been surrounded with every comfort she could desire; but Mr. Ellison’s estate proving bankrupt, his family were left with but a small, and that a very uncertain income.  Upon this, by the practice of great economy, they had managed to live.  The final settlement of the estate took away this resource, and the widow found herself with only a small sum of money in hand, and all income cut off.  This had occurred about a month before the period of Lucy’s introduction to the reader.  During this time, their gradually diminishing store, and the anxiety they felt in regard to the future, destroyed all the remains of former pride or regard for appearances, and made both Lucy and her mother willing to do any thing that would yield them an income, provided it were honourable.  Nothing offered until nearly all their money was exhausted, and the minds of the mother and eldest daughter were in a state of great uncertainty and distress.  Just at this darkest hour, intelligence of the vacancy in Mr. C——­’s school reached their ears.

Such being their circumstances, it may well be supposed that Lucy and her mother felt deeply anxious to hear from Mr. Burgess, and counted not only the hours as they passed, but the minutes that made up the hours.  Neither of them remarked on the fact that the day had nearly come to its close without any communication having been received, although both had expected to have heard much earlier from Mr. Burgess.  As the twilight began to fall, its gloom making their hearts feel sadder, Mrs. Ellison said, “Don’t you think we ought to have heard from Mr. Burgess by this time, Lucy?”

“I hoped to have received some intelligence before this,” replied the daughter.  “But perhaps we are impatient; it takes time to do every thing.”

“Yes; but it wouldn’t take Mr. Burgess long to call upon Mr. C——.  He might have done it in half an hour from the time you saw him.”

“If he could have left his business to do so; but you know men in business cannot always command their time.”

“I know; but still”—­

“He has no doubt called,” continued Lucy, interrupting her mother, for she could not bear to hear even an implied censure passed upon Mr. Burgess; “but he may not have obtained an interview with Mr. C——­, or he may be waiting for a definite answer.  I think during the evening we shall certainly hear from him.”

But notwithstanding Lucy and her mother lingered up until past eleven o’clock, the so-anxiously looked for communication was not received.

All the next day they passed in a state of nervous solicitude and anxious expectation, but night found them still ignorant as to what Mr. Burgess had done.

On the next day, unable to bear the suspense any longer, Lucy went to the store of Mr. Burgess about ten o’clock.