Elizabeth

And as you breathe, feel the warmth of relaxation spreading down through your arms and hands.

Now gently relax your face, your eyes, your jaw and your brow.

And with every breath, drift deeper into relaxation, preparing for a restorative sleep.

On her 11th birthday, Sarah was led into the schoolroom by Miss Minchin, who stood before the students and spoke about her show pupil before leaving them to the festivities, even allowing Becky to stay at the back of the room on Sarah's request.

The star gift was a doll ordered from Paris and nearly as big as Lottie, so-called the Last Doll, as Sarah deemed that she would be too old for dolls soon.

Then Miss Amelia came to announce that Sarah's father's solicitor had arrived to speak with Miss Minchin and that the party would need to remove to the sitting room to allow them to meet.

The girls laughed, but Becky lingered to look closer at the last doll, slipping under the table when Miss Minchin opened the door, and so overhearing the entire conversation.

The solicitor explained that Captain Crewe was dead.

His friend who owned the diamond mine had taken all his money and run.

He then caught jungle fever and passed away, leaving Sarah penniless and alone.

Miss Minchin was furious.

Sarah's lavish expenses and fees were well overdue, and she was now left with the care of the child.

Amelia was ordered to stop the party and break the news.

Sarah came as requested hours later in a black frock that was too small, clutching her doll, Emily.

Miss Minchin coldly explained she would stay in the school and work, but that all her belongings would be stripped from her to pay for the expenses she owed.

When she went to her room to grieve, Miss Amelia emerged, locking the door and telling Sarah that her place would now be with Becky in the attic.

And that is where we pick up tonight.

So just lie back and relax as I turn to the next pages of A Little Princess.

Chapter 8 In the Attic The first night she spent in her attic was a thing Sarah never forgot.

During its passing, she lived through a wild, unchildlike woe of which she never spoke to anyone about her.