Nearly Lost but Dearly Won | Page 5

you love your Saviour, and loving Him, I feel sure that
you will not knowingly enter into any very intimate acquaintance with
any one who has not the same hope; without which hope, my precious
child, there may be much amiability and attractiveness, but can be no
solid and abiding happiness or peace."
Mary's reply is a child's earnest embrace and a whispered assurance of
unchanging love to her mother, and trust in her judgment.
Six o'clock.--Both drawing-rooms at "The Firs" were thrown into one,
and brilliantly lighted up. Mysterious sounds in the dining-room below
told of preparations for that part of the evening's proceedings, by no
means the least gratifying to the members of a juvenile party. Friends
began to assemble: young boys and girls in shoals, the former dazzling
in neckties and pins, the latter in brooches and earrings: with a
sprinkling of seniors. The host, hostess, and her daughters were all
smiles; the last-named especially, unable, indeed, to give expression to
their satisfaction at having the happiness of receiving their dear young
friends. Mark was there, of course, full of fun, and really enjoying
himself, the life and soul of everything.
And now, when Mrs Franklin and Mary had just taken their seats and
had begun to look around them, the door was thrown widely open, and
the servant announced in a loud voice, "Mr Esau Tankardew!"
Every sound was instantly hushed, every head bent forward, every
mouth parted in breathless expectation. Mark crept close up to Mary
and squeezed his white gloves into ropes; the next moment Mr
Tankardew entered.
Marvellous transformation! The faded garments had entirely
disappeared. Was this the man of dilapidation? Yes, it was Mr
Tankardew. He was habited in a suit of black, which, though not new,
had evidently not seen much service; his trousers ceased at the knee,

leaving his silk stockings and shoes conspicuous. No reproach could be
cast on the purity of his white neckcloth, nor on the general cleanliness
of his person. His greeting of the host and hostess, though a little old-
fashioned, was thoroughly easy and courteous, after which he begged
them to leave him to himself, and to give their undivided attention to
the young, whose special evening it was. Curiosity once gratified, the
suspended buzz of eager talk broke out again, and allowed Mr
Tankardew to make his way to Mrs Franklin and her daughter. These
he saluted very heartily, and added, "Let an old man sit by you awhile,
and watch the proceedings of the young people, and realise if he
possibly can that he was once young himself--ah yes! Once young,"
and he sighed deeply.
Fun and frolic were soon at their height. Merry music struck up, and
the larger of the two drawing-rooms was cleared for a dance. Mark
hurried up to Mary. "Come, Mary," he cried, "I want you for a partner;
we shall have capital fun; come along."
"Thank you," she replied; "I prefer to watch the others--at present, at
any rate."
"Oh! Nonsense! You must come, there'll be no fun without you; it's
very hot though, but there'll be lots of negus presently."
"Mary will do her part by trying to amuse some of the very little ones,"
said her mother; "I think that will be more to her taste."
"Oh! Yes, dear mamma, that it will. Thank you, Mark, all the same."
"Good, very good, very good," cried Mr Tankardew, in a low voice,
and beating one hand gently on the other; "keep to that, my child, keep
to that."
Mark retired with a very bad grace, and Mary, slipping away from her
mother's side, gathered a company around her of the tinier sort, with
glowing cheeks and very wide eyes, who were rather scared by the
more boisterous proceedings of those somewhat older; she amused
them in a quiet way, raising many a little happy laugh, and fairly

winning their hearts.
"God bless her," muttered Mr Tankardew, when he had watched her for
some time very attentively; "very good, that will do, very good indeed;
keep her to it, Mrs Franklin, keep her to it."
"She's a dear, good child," said her mother.
"Very true, madam; yes, dear and good; some are dear and bad--dear at
any price. I see some now."
Wine and negus were soon handed round; the tray was presented to
Mary. Mr Tankardew lent forward and bent a piercing look at her. She
declined, not at all knowing that he was watching her.
"Good again; very good, good girl, wise girl, prudent girl," he
murmured to himself.
The tray now came to Mrs Franklin. She took a glass of sherry. Mr
Tankardew's brow clouded. "Ah!" he exclaimed, and moved restlessly
on his chair. The servant then approached him and offered the contents
of the