CHAPTER V. ELLA'S HOME. "He only can the cause reveal "Brothers in blood and nurture too, ELLA WOODVILLE was the daughter of a clergyman, the vicar of a country parish, some distance from Rylsford. His income was not large, but together with a little private property which he possessed, it sufficed to maintain his family in ease and comfort, and, in some measure, supply the wants of the poor around him. About six months before Ella became Blanche's governess, Mr. Woodville died, leaving a wife and three children: Ella, the eldest, who had scarcely reached eighteen ; Herbert, a boy of fifteen; and Maggie, a sprightly little creature of eight or nine. But of all his children, Herbert was the one whom Mr. Woodville most felt leaving in the straitened circumstances which he knew would follow his death, for he had been a cripple from the age of two years. Owing to a fall from his nurse's arms, his spine had been greatly injured, as also one knee, so that all hope of his ever again being able to use his limbs rightly was destroyed. Even now it was with great difficulty that he could walk across the room. As soon as the mortal remains of Mr. Woodville were consigned to the tomb, the widow and her children prepared to bid adieu to their happy home. They came to the village of Rylsford, near which Mrs. Woodville's early days had been spent, and settled down there in a pretty little cottage. From the moment of her father's death, Ella formed the determination of endeavouring to increase, by her own exertions, the lessened income of the family. Drawing had ever been her favourite recreation, and in this she so far excelled that she thought it might be turned to some account, and resolved that every spare moment should be employed in this manner, that her darling mother and fondly-loved brother and sister might not want the comforts to which they had been accustomed. therefore, Mrs. Cleveland requested her to undertake the education of Blanche, she was only too glad to comply. When, It was the evening of the day mentioned in our last chapter. Mrs. Woodville was sitting by the window of the cottage parlour, busily engaged in sewing; Herbert sat by the fire in his large easy-chair, his usual place. He had been reading, for a book lay open upon his lap, but now his head rested on his hand, and his eyes were closed; at his feet, before the fire, knelt little Maggie, amusing herself with her playthings. The room was plainly and simply furnished. A piano stood on one side, this and Herbert's easy-chair were the only expensive pieces of furniture, and these they had brought from their former home; but though plain all was arranged with the greatest care. The three had remained some time without speaking. At length Mrs. Woodville folded up her work, for the light of the November day was fast fading away, and drew near the fire. Herbert opened his eyes. "Is it not time Ella was coming home, mama?" "I think it must be, dear; it is getting dusk." But Ella did not come. After a while Mrs. Woodville rose, and went to the window, but the increasing darkness prevented her from distinguishing any distant object. She turned away with a slight sigh. "Come, Maggie," she said, "let us set the tea-table, and then it will be ready when she comes." Her little daughter jumped up cheerfully to assist her; it was not much she could do, but what she did was done willingly and heartily. When all was ready, Mrs. Woodville again seated herself and waited. Herbert was rest less and impatient for his sister's return-he could not bear her to be absent from him. At length the door opened, and Ella entered. Her sunny smile shed a light in the room it had wanted before. Her mother rose to meet her. "Why, Ella, you are very late; I began to be very anxious about you." "Oh you needn't have been that, dear mama; I stepped in to see little Milly, and she kept me longer than I thought." "But why did you do that, dear? would not morning have done as well?” "Perhaps it might, but I felt an inclination to call to-night; however, I won't again, dear mother, if it distresses you; I wouldn't do that for the world." Bending down over her brother's chair, she |