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Looking up as I drew near--"You have a question to ask of me?" he

said

"Yes; I wish to knohether you have heard of any service I can

offerfor you three weeks ago; but as you

seemed both useful and happy here--as my sisters had evidently

becoave them unusual pleasure-

-I deemed it inexpedient to break in on yourdeparture from Marsh End should render yours

necessary"

"And they will go in three days now?" I said

"Yes; and when they go, I shall return to the parsonage at Morton:

Hannah will accompany me; and this old house will be shut up"

I waited a few o on with the subject

first broached: but he seemed to have entered another train of

reflection: his look denoted abstraction froed to recall him to a theme which was of necessity one of

close and anxious interest to me

"What is the employment you had in view, Mr Rivers? I hope this

delay will not have increased the difficulty of securing it"

"Oh, no; since it is in eive,

and you to accept"