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A warm flush came over the cheeks of Ellen; her eyes dropped to the floor. She hesitated for several moments; then she replied in a low voice–“Ellen.”

Mrs. Linden looked at her earnestly, but said nothing in reply.

“Who is this nurse you have been so kind to procure for me?” Mrs. Linden said to her friend, a few days subsequently. She had gained much in a short time.

“She is a stranger to me. I never saw her before she came and said that she had heard that there was a sick lady here who wished a nurse.”

“She did?”

“Yes.”

“She must be an angel in disguise, then.”

“So I should think,” returned her friend. “I have never met a lovelier person. Her face is sweetness itself; her manners are full of ease and grace, and her heart seems a deep well of love to all.”

“Who can she be? Where did she come from? I feel toward her as if she were my own child.”

“But she is only a nurse,” said her friend. “Do not forget that, nor your station in society.”

Mrs. Linden shook her head and murmured–“I have never found one like her in the highest places; no, not even in my own children. Station in society! Ah! my friend, that delusion has passed.”

As Mrs. Linden recovered more and more, Ellen remained with her, waiting only for a good opportunity to make herself known. She did not wish to do this until she was sure that she had awakened a feeling of affection in her mother’s bosom.

Mrs. Linden had been sitting up for two or three days, so far had she recovered, and yet Ellen did not feel that it was safe to venture a full declaration of the truth.

Up to this time, neither William nor his wife had visited her, nor sent to inquire about her. This fact Mrs. Linden knew, for she had asked about it particularly. The name of Charles was never mentioned.

In order to try its effect, Ellen said to her–“You are better now, Mrs. Linden, and will be well in a little while. You do not need me any longer. I will leave you to-morrow.”

“Leave me!” ejaculated Mrs. Linden. “Oh, no, Ellen, you must not leave me; I cannot do without you. You must stay with me always.”

“You would soon tire of such a one as I am.”

“Never, my good girl, never! You shall always remain with me. You shall be–not my nurse, but my child.”

Mrs. Linden’s voice trembled.

Ellen could hardly help throwing herself at her feet, and declaring that she was really her child; but she controlled herself, and replied–“That cannot be, madam; I have other duties to perform.”

“You have? What? To whom?”

“To my husband and children.”

“Gracious heaven! what do you mean? Who are you?”

“One who loved you before she ever saw you. One who loves you now.”

“Speak, child! oh, speak!” exclaimed Mrs. Linden, turning suddenly pale, and grasping hold of Ellen with both her hands. “Who are you? What interest have you in me? Speak!”

“Do you love me?” asked Ellen, in a husky whisper.

“Love you! You have forced me to love you; but speak out. Who are you?”

“Your daughter,” was faintly replied.

“Who?”

“The wife of one who has never ceased to love you; the wife of Charles Linden.”

Mrs. Linden seemed paralyzed for some moments at this declaration. Her face became pale–her eye fell to the floor–she sat like one in a dream.

“Dear mother!” plead the anxious wife, sinking on her knees, “will you not forgive your son? Will you not forgive me that I loved him so well? If you knew how much we love you–how anxious we are to make you happy, you would instantly relent.”

“My child! Oh, can it be true?” This was said in a choking voice by Mrs. Linden, as she threw her arms around Ellen and held her to her bosom. In a few moments she withdrew herself, and fixed her eyes long and earnestly upon Ellen’s face.

“Ah! what a loving heart have I wronged!” she murmured, putting her hand upon the brow of her new-found child, tenderly. Then she drew her again almost convulsively to her bosom.

All that was passing within was heard without, for Charles and his sister were at the door: they entered at this moment.

“My mother!” exclaimed Charles, springing towards her.

“My son–my dear son! God bless you, and this dear child, who has watched for days and nights like an angel about my pillow.”

The mother and son were in each other’s arms in a moment. All was forgiven.

From that hour, the proud woman of the world saw with a purified vision. From that hour, she knew the worth of a pure heart.