ng in the grate; for though only September, the room was sufficiently large, and the even

an equal distribution of interesting and animated expression (which is the great beauty of youth), that she could not have known the trial of having such a heavy, dull, unhappy child as Ellen. Mrs. Hamilton, indeed, we rather think, would not have considered such a trial, except as it proved ill-health and physical pain in the little sufferer; and, perhaps her increased care and tenderness (for such with her would have been the consequence of the same cause which had created her sister's neglect) might have removed both the depression of constant but impalpable illness, and the expression of heaviness and gloom. Certain it is, that her own Herbert had, with regard to delicate health, given her more real and constant anxiety than Eleanor had ever allowed herself to experience with Ellen; but there was nothing in the boy's peculiarly interesting countenance to denote the physical suffering he very often endured. Care and love had so surrounded his path with blessings, that he was often heard to declare, that he never even wished to be as strong as his brother, or to share his active pleasures, he had so many others equally delightful.

not the least evidence of reflection or soberness. As a child he had had much to contend with, in the way of passion, pride, and self-will; but his home influence had been such a judicious blending of indulgence and firmness on the part of both his parents, such a persevering inculcation of a str

a countenance, which when happy and animated was not only attractive then, but gave a fair promise of great beauty in after years. The disposition of Caroline Hamilton was in fact naturally so similar to that of her aunt, Mrs. Fortescue, that Mrs. Hamilton's task with her was not only more difficult and painful in the present than with any

g, but so easily guided by affection, and with a disposition so sweet and gentle, that a word from her mother was always enough. Mrs. Hamilton had little fears for her, except, indeed, as for the vast capability of individual suffering which such a disposition engendered, in those trials which it was scarcely possible she might hope to pass through life without. There was only one safeguard, one unfailing comfort, for a character like hers, and that was a deep ever-present sense of religion, which untiringly, and yet more

s of unbroken silence, all seemingly so engrossed in their own occupations as to have no inclination to s

sophy, for we are told in 'wonder all philosophy begins, in wonder it ends, and adoration fills up the interspace;' but with you, poor weak creatures, the only effect it produces is increased curiosity, of which you have naturally a more than adequate supply. Secondly, if you begin to wonder and expect, and speculate as to th

not give us a much better one, even the very first time he attem

ecially; and that as such, I am not to be insulted with impunity. So here goes-as a fresh exercise for your patience!" And he mingl

in why wonder may not equally have the same good effect on us as on you, or retract your words enti

whole sex, Caroline; even you are safe, because, as her child, it is to be hoped that one of these da

plied Caroline haughtily; "it really is very little con

ather be like mamma than like any body else, and I should like

you silly little thing, you have put Kamschatka as the terra firma of South America; no doubt that ice and snow would be very welcome there, but how the Americans would stare to see t

ld like to know who is talking the most, you or I? You will not finish what

provokingly clever people as Seneca, Cicero, Pliny, and a host of others! or, if they must be wise, why did they not burn all the written wisdom, instead of leaving it a

erved Herbert, looking up from his book with a bright smile. "I should lose a

eth degree of consanguinity, however nearly connected their masters may be. Hush! not a word; I have only one line more; what a wise man that was to be sure, who said 'Otiosum esse quam nihil agere'-better to be idle than doing nothing. Don't shake your head and laugh, Emmy. Vale: never did I say good-by so willingly. Hurrah! mamma and papa may come home when they like no

will have the kindness to inform us why at this time of th

ight that Miss Harcourt should know that, if I am

y explain yourself, young man, for I am so per

ing give me a message

her house on your w

he morning, I should have nerved myself to go straight on to the Rectory. Lady Helen was not visible, so I tarried, believing your message of vital import

oline is her friend," replied Emmeline; "but

elen's I should not have been led into temptation, I was magnanimous enough not to mention her, but to lay the whole blame of my non-appearance, on my own disinclination for any study but that of nature. Mr. Howard looked grave and sorrowful-I wish to heaven he was more like any other schoolmas

usin, who is so very delicate, that if she were too fatigued, Mr. Hamil

ve been too long without her, and I long to resign to papa his robes of office, for they sit mightily like borrowed plumes upon me. Mamma writ

I am afraid my pictures

ed Percy and Miss Harco

o very, very happy together, that I do not feel quite su

" exclaimed her brother, starting up and sitting on her chair

s face, that he gave her a hearty kiss. "I can not tell why I should feel half sorr

aroline, what say you? We have all been thinking about them,

not feel incli

o has made you so. I would lay any wager, the whole time you have been with Lady Helen Grahame, sinc

am ashamed of repeating. She knew my aunt before she went to India, and I am sure

not always like their parents, and if they are as unlike Lady Helen's description of my poor aunt (which by the way she had no right

e intolerably

pray, get rid of that dawning ill temper, before m

have my own opinion of Ellen and Edward, as w

t is a wrong one. I am sure if we only thought how sad it is that they have neither father nor mother to love them, and are coming all among strangers-born in a strange land too-we should find quite enough to think kindl

hem so, Herbert, however you may. My father might hav

and died for his king-as our grandfather did; and had he lived might have been offered a title too-and their mother-rea

"Dear Caroline, pray do not talk or think so; it makes me feel so s

rly impossible," interrupted Caroline, "s

t the expression of pain on his brother's face, and always ready to guard him either from physical or mental suffering, feeling instinctively th

d the earnestness of Herbert, she knew were more likely to produce an effect than any thing like a rebuke from herself, which would only have caused restraint before her in future. It was through this perfect unrestraint that Mrs. Hamilton had become so thoroughly acquainted with the several charac

sual seriousness, Percy

Herbert's, we all know them without his telling us; but you are almost the principally

. As for what your cousins will be like, I candidly tell you, I have scarcely thought about it. I have no doubt

r I am pleased or not, but I am very sorry for them; and it will be capital if this Master Edward turns out a lad of spirit and mischief, and not over-learned or too

ppealingly: "I feel it almost a mockery now, when I am

o not mean it for mockery; you know, or ought to know, that you are better now than half

are, and am therefore, naturally more fond of quiet pleasures: and as for talent

e, I know what every body thinks of you. Hush! is that the soun

meline, laughing; "I neither hear that, no

t is a carriage!" and Percy bounded from the table so impetuously as near

rcy; Caroline evidently tried to resume serenity, but, too proud to evince it, industrio

ld you disappoint us so?" said

nd, look there, Emmeline, through those trees, don't you see

ercy, it is

is, Ellis, all of you to the hall! to the hall! The carriage is coming down the avenue." And with noisy impatience, the young gentleman ran into the hall, assembled all the servants he ha