Hester Morley's Promise. CHAPTER I. JOHN MORLEY, BOOKSELLER. LITTLE ASTON is one of those small midland towns, lying in the midst of an agricultural district, which offer no attraction to tourists, and where very few events seem to happen. Every family in it, even to the lowest classes, possesses a staid respectability and decency, which is chiefly the heritage of those who live in isolated places, divided from the busier, and perhaps the more wicked world, by a girdle of corn-fields and meadows. The population cannot be more than five thousand, which in these days constitutes little more than a family party, whose members must be very closely allied. A large A large proportion of the townspeople consist of professional men, and people with means, who keep up VOL. I. B BY THE SAME AUTHOR. LOST GIP. Illustrations. Reprinted from "THE DAY OF REST." Six "The book is full of tender touches."-Nonconformist. "Thoroughly enlists the sympathies of the reader." Church Review. "An exquisitely touching little tale.........Life-like, natural, and pathetic." Church Herald. Deeply interesting."-Scotsman. "Full of genuine pathos."- Edinburgh Daily Review. A New Edition, on fine paper, with Twelve Illustrations. elegantly bound, price 26. Will be ready at Christmas, 1873. PREPARING. THE KING'S SERVANTS. FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. UNFAITHFUL. FAITHFUL IN MUCH. To be Published uniform with "LOST GIP." "THE DAY OF REST." Reprinted from HENRY S. KING & Co., 65 CORNHILL, AND 12 PATERNOSTER Row. |