,,the ,,boarding ,,school2 ,,or ,,familiar ,,conversations ,,between ,a ,,governess ,,and ,,her ,,pupils4 ,,written ,,for ,,the ,,amusement ,,and ,,instruction ,,of ,,young ,,ladies4 ,,london3 ,,printed ,,for ,g4 ,,and ,w4 ,b4 ,,whittaker1 ,,ave-,,maria ,,lane4 #ahbc4 ,,london3 ,,printed ,,by ,,cox ,,and ,,baylis1 ,,great ,,queen ,,street1 ,,lincoln',s-,,inn ,,fields4 ,,preface4 ,those persons whose time is devoted to the instruction of youth1 have not only abundant opportunities of ascertaining the capacities of their pupils1 but of observing their various dispositions1 and of noticing the effects which have been produced on them by previous habit and example4 ,it seldom happens that amiability of temper1 respectful behaviour to superiors1 or kindness to inferiors1 distinguish children who in their infancy have been left to the care of menials1 or who have been suffered1 by the blind indulgence of parents1 to gratify their forward inclinations2 and it as rarely occurs that those who have had the benefit of good example and parental admonition in the bud of life1 display much propensity to vice as they grow up1 unless their morals become contaminated by afterwards forming improper companions4 ,with reference to the effects of early education1 it has been most truly said1 that ,just as the twig is bent1 the tree's inclin'd4 ,and though a variety of causes may operate to form the character1 or give a bias to the mind1 it is a fact not to be controverted1 that early impressions are never wholly eradicated1 and the magic of some well remembered maxim or parental caution will often come very seasonably to the aid of the most experienced4 ,in pourtraying the characters which are introduced in ,,the ,,boarding ,,school1 the ,author has endeavoured to represent1 by contrast1 the amiable and unamiable passions2 and1 by exhibiting them in their true colours1 to render her fair and youthful readers as emulous to imitate the one1 as they will doubtless be to avoid the other2 while the narrative1 being of the most familiar kind1 will1 it is hoped1 contribute to their amusement4 ,,the ,,boarding ,,school4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,elizabeth ,adair was stooping to prop a rose-tree in a viranda1 when she hastily turned to her sister1 and exclaimed1 it is useless attending either to plants or flowers now3 ,i must give up all my favourite pursuits4 ,but you will have others to engage your attention1 returned ,jane4 ,and will they afford me pleasure8 ,you may as well say that ,i shall listen with joy to the foolish commands of some parents1 and the haughty remarks of others4 ,let this be our comfort1 said ,jane1 sensible people always treat the instructors of youth with respect2 they neither command with pride1 nor complain with insolence4 ,but think of the change6 ,we1 who have had every indulgence1 and no cares to perplex us6 ,my dear ,elizabeth1 in the day of prosperity we seldom rejoice with thankfulness2 but in the time of adversity1 when our path is darkened1 then we can bitterly repine4 ,surely we should place our joys and our sorrows against each other1 as a defence from a murmuring spirit4 ,it is not late trials that trouble me1 but future vexations that ,i dread4 ,you know that ,i have never been accustomed to stupid1 drawling1 spoiled children4 ,i hope1 said ,jane1 you will not have a class of this description to instruct4 ,o1 all things will be easy to you1 for you love children and love teaching2 but ,i have never applied my mind to any thing of the kind3 ,i shall not know how to ask the most simple question in nature4 ,jane smiled1 as she said1 ,since you are so very doubtful of your abilities1 ,i think ,i will give a short lesson upon teaching4 ,suppose you ask your pupil if she has learned grammar3 if she replies in the affirmative1 desire her to explain the nature of the different parts of speech4 ,then try her abilities in the arithmetical tables1 or from the history of ,england2 tell her to relate some particular event in the reign of one of our kings1 and go on to other subjects in a similar manner4 ,in the first instance1 however1 always hear your pupil read2 clear1 distinct reading1 with proper emphasis--,i do not mean in a theatrical style--is one test of abilities2 give her some pointed passage from history1 or from any suitable book4 ,i want an example1 said ,elizabeth4 ,now1 sister1 you are trifling1 and will lead me to trifle in return4 ,in #aaii ,john signed ,magna ,charta1 the bulwark of ,english liberty2 or1 the king wept when he found himself a prisoner2 but the master of ,glamis said-- ,go on1 my dear ,jane3 the master of ,glamis ,i will not have any thing to say to4 ,you forget1 said ,jane1 that we are not to finish a sentence with to1 or for1 or any word so insignificant4 ,let a little girl read1 'remember now thy ,creator in the days of thy youth1' or something in the same easy1 impressive style4 ,but consult my mother3 she will give you the best information upon the subject of teaching4 ,ah1 said ,elizabeth1 my spirits fail when ,i think of the task6 ,i only wish the first week were over4 ,it will pass away like all other things4 ,we have only to be resolute in doing our duty1 and leave the rest to ,providence4 ,let us at all times remember our own excellent instructress3 her 'authority1 when most severe1 and mustering all its force1 was but the graver countenance of love1 watering at once and nourishing the plant4' ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,it will1 perhaps1 here be necessary to say something of ,mrs4 ,adair2 ,i will not1 however1 enter upon her motive for opening a boarding-school4 ,it is a well known fact that the loss of fortune1 contracted incomes1 or troubles in one shape or another1 are the origin of almost all female seminaries4 ,i never heard but of one lady beginning a school1 and persevering to the conclusion of a protracted life1 without any motive but benefiting a friend4 ,to her credit let me remark1 that she never regretted this1 as it may justly be styled1 labour of love4 ,mrs4 ,adair's personal appearance and manner were calculated to excite respect and deference from pupils4 ,the general cast of her countenance was serious1 to a degree bordering upon severity2 but when she did unbend1 the cheerfulness that beamed in her features1 and the benevolent expression of her dark and pleasing eyes1 invited confidence and regard from every beholder4 ,she had been a widow several years1 and was going to commence a school patronized by respectable friends4 ,i shall not attempt to describe her daughters1 for beauty is of so perishable a nature1 and of so little value without good qualities1 it is but time wasted dwelling on the subject4 ,jane1 the youngest1 had been some time in a delicate and declining state of health2 and1 viewing life as uncertain in its tenor1 had wisely adapted her mind to passing circumstances4 ,next to her brightest hopes1 was her desire to be useful whilst she remained upon earth4 ,elizabeth had high health and spirits1 and could ill brook the idea of the restraint and confinement of a school4 ,but the evening was now arrived previous to beginning the irksome task1 as she styled it4 ,mrs4 ,adair had been looking over her folio1 and her daughters were seated at their work1 when she observed1 ,we may consider ourselves particularly fortunate1 for ,i have now the promise of fifteen pupils4 ,several things1 however1 we must take into consideration4 ,elizabeth1 you are sometimes a little petulant in temper3 remember you must never be rash in deciding1 or hasty in punishing2 curb the bold1 but encourage the timid4 ,we must likewise be cautious to treat the parents of every child with equal respect2 not allow ourselves to be dazzled with glittering equipages1 or dashing manners4 ,and let us be tender and careful of children who are deprived of a mother3 give them all the aid in our power1 to make them a credit to their father's house4 ,and ,i think1 my dear mother1 said ,elizabeth1 it will be necessary to fix children of weak capacities in one class3 let all the dunces go together4 ,but we must first weigh their talents justly1 returned ,mrs4 ,adair2 and always recollect1 that 'children of the present age are the hope of the one to come4' ,there is one thing ,i particularly charge you to avoid3 never speak in a tone of ridicule of any lady who has previously instructed a pupil2 there is something contemptible in trying to depreciate the talents of another4 ,we are not to consider ourselves as supreme in wisdom1 for our abilities are moderate2 if we can do good1 ,i believe it is the chief merit we can claim4 ,i hope one thing1 said ,elizabeth1 that the young ladies must never be allowed to learn their lessons at meals2 for ,i am persuaded they will think more of the present participle loving than of declining the verb to love4 ,and ,i trust likewise1 my dear mother1 that you will never let them read their own themes at public examinations3 for the voice ,i am certain will tremble when hundreds are listening4 ,we will not talk of public examinations1 my dear1 until we have tried our own abilities at teaching4 ,but ,i must caution you never to criticize letters from parents or friends2 nor look upon a teacher as a solitary being1 without friends and without feelings4 ,i hope you do not think ,i would exact too much1 or be unreasonable in any command to a teacher1 said ,elizabeth4 ,i do not say that you will do so2 ,i only wish to remind you1 that we should have due consideration for those persons who are dependent upon us4 ,and now ,i have only to observe1 that we must not think entirely of the time our pupils are to be with us1 but extend our thoughts to the period when they will be enabled to judge by what spirit we were actuated4 ,in teaching1 punishing1 or rewarding1 let us always consider whether the means we then pursue will be useful to the young lady in future life4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,elizabeth with some degree of impatience stood at the drawing-room window1 looking for their first pupil1 on the morning the school was opened4 ,at length a carriage drove hastily to the door1 and she returned to her seat4 ,with a flushed and agitated countenance she had now to welcome one of her mother's earliest friends4 ,colonel ,vincent advanced into the room with two daughters1 and in a cheerful tone exclaimed1 ,i hope1 my dear ,miss ,adair1 we are your first scholars2 we have strained every nerve to surprise you with an early visit1 and an auspicious one ,i hope it will prove4 ,i hope so too1 ,sir1 said ,elizabeth quickly2 but ,i thought we should have had the pleasure of seeing ,mrs4 ,vincent4 ,she was obliged to go down into the country to visit her father1 returned the ,colonel1 and deputed me to act for her4 ,i have to beg that you will treat our children as the children of strangers3 reward them with favour when they are good1 and punish them when they are otherwise4 ,we have confidence in our friends1 therefore shall never listen to any idle tales2 but my little girl1 he continued1 as he fondly stroked the hair from the forehead of his youngest daughter1 will ,i know be tractable and very good4 ,that ,i will1 ,papa2 only ,i wish ,i had my doll1 and the cradle4 ,my cousin ,eliza has a barrel-organ1 a garden-chair1 and ,i don't know how many things1 at her school4 ,your cousin has a large fortune1 and is a simpleton1 cried ,caroline1 the eldest daughter4 ,but pray1 ma'am1 who is to teach music8 ,i shall make the attempt1 said ,elizabeth2 how far ,i shall succeed will depend upon my abilities to instruct1 and your patience and perseverance in gaining instruction4 ,o1 ma'am1 ,i have learned seven years of the first masters4 ,there has been a wonderful waste of time1 and money6 cried the ,colonel4 ,you rattle the keys1 as blundering soldiers when commanded to fire3 no taste1 feeling1 or judgment in the execution4 ,but at ,madame ,la ,blond's1 ,papa1 ,i was allowed to play in the very first style1 and was always called upon to exhibit to strangers4 ,a servant at this moment announced ,mrs4 ,towers2 and a stately female1 dressed in the extreme of fashion1 with a measured step entered the room1 followed by a delicate1 interesting looking young lady1 but with a very dark complexion4 ,mrs4 ,towers moved very profoundly to ,elizabeth4 ,permit me to introduce ,miss ,arden as a pupil1 she said4 ,she is from the ,east1 and under our guardianship4 ,for certain causes we removed her from her last seminary2 we did not consider it 7as she is a young lady of large fortune7 sufficiently fashionable4 ,as we understand ,colonel ,vincent1 a man whom every one must applaud1 has declared that he and his noble lady will patronize ,mrs4 ,adair1 from this circumstance alone ,i have brought ,miss ,arden hither4 ,colonel ,vincent smiled1 and stepped to the window to converse with his youngest daughter4 ,it is particularly unfortunate1 ma'am1 added ,mrs4 ,towers1 that the young lady has so very dark a look2 but ,i assure you she is not a creole4 ,tears started into ,miss ,arden's eyes1 and her cheeks were tinged with a deep blush4 ,mrs4 ,towers now made another very low curtsey1 with a good morning1 ma'am2 ,i have several visits to pay in this neighbourhood4 ,as she passed the young lady1 she whispered something respecting mixture and composition4 ,colonel ,vincent now led his daughters to ,miss ,arden4 ,let me introduce the young people to each other1 said he2 who ,i hope will be friends and pleasant companions4 ,isabella1 his youngest daughter1 looked up in her face2 and taking her hand1 said1 ,i am sure ,i shall love this lady1 if she will love me4 ,her sister turned her head1 and with a scornful smile exclaimed1 ,you are always taken with strangers6 ,i wish ,miss ,russel would come6 ,i thought she would have been here early4 ,this is an insolent young lady1 said the ,colonel1 looking at his daughter with displeasure4 ,but my ,isabella1 ,miss ,arden1 will be grateful for your kindness4 ,i have so few1 ,sir1 to regard me1 said ,miss ,arden1 that ,i shall indeed be happy to gain the love of this little girl4 ,elizabeth now asked if she would walk in the garden4 ,come1 my little pet1 said the ,colonel1 give me one kiss2 and go with this young lady1 and try to divert her4 ,and do not forget to bring her with you the first holiday1 and we will have a merry day2 all your young friends shall be invited to meet you4 ,in the course of the morning most of the young ladies arrived4 ,it was a complete day of bustle4 ,there were trunks and packages to be removed from the hall into the dressing-room2 then one wanted her reticule1 and another a book from her bag2 and a third was searching her basket for good things1 either for her own private eating1 or to give to some one to whom she had taken a fancy4 ,then there were so many conjectures1 who and who such ladies were8 ,miss ,vincent and ,miss ,russel1 who were declared friends1 kept apart from their companions4 ,there were few1 indeed1 they would deign to notice2 and no one1 unless her ,papa had a carriage4 ,there was an air of scorn in their countenances1 which seemed to say1 here is a motley group1 indeed6 ,jane had been confined to her chamber the whole of the morning1 but in the afternoon strolled into the garden to converse with the young ladies4 ,she soon felt fatigued1 and went into the summer-house to rest4 ,there1 to her surprise1 she beheld a young lady with a melancholy aspect1 seated1 with her eyes fixed intently upon the floor4 ,my dear1 why are you here alone8 asked ,jane in a tone of kindness2 was there no young lady to walk with you8 ,no1 ma'am2 the ladies do not wish to associate with me4 ,they object to my complexion3 and1 ,i believe1 they think that ,i am without feelings4 ,the little girl would have remained with me1 but her sister would not allow her4 ,a loud laugh now proclaimed a party approaching the summer-house4 ,jane was shocked when she heard ,miss ,vincent exclaim1 ,oh1 do come in and behold her6 she is a complete creole6 ,i never saw so frightful a complexion6 ,the young lady is a stranger to me1 said another1 and ,i am sure ,i would not insult her upon any account4 ,that is a voice ,i know1 said ,jane1 stepping to the door4 ,my dear ,miss ,damer1 ,i wish to speak to you4 ,miss ,vincent and her friend instantly retreated1 and the young lady entered the summer-house with a blushing face4 ,here is a young lady1 said ,jane1 who is a stranger2 and ,i may add1 that she is in a strange land4 ,in introducing her to you1 ,miss ,damer1 ,i hope ,i am securing a friend for her3 one who will not behold her insulted4 ,tears now rushed from ,miss ,arden's eyes4 ,o6 ma'am1 ,i cannot thank you as ,i feel6 ,hitherto1 ,i have only known rudeness and unkindness6 ,when ,i lost my father1 ,i thought1 in coming to ,england--,england1 so famed for every thing great and noble--that ,i should be a stranger to all sorrow but that of remembrance4 ,miss ,damer was too much moved to express herself as she wished4 ,come1 said ,jane1 in a cheerful voice1 we must not have sorrow at this our first meeting4 ,i perceive that ,miss ,damer and you will be friends1 so come with me2 you shall be my guests this evening1 and we will leave the other young ladies to my sister4 ,with a countenance expressive of kindness1 ,jane took an arm of each of the young ladies1 and walked with them up the garden4 ,as she passed ,miss ,vincent and her companion1 she said very quietly1 ,young ladies1 ,i hope you will conduct yourselves better to-morrow4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,when ,miss ,vincent entered the music-room to receive her first lesson1 with haughty indifference she seated herself at the piano1 and in a careless manner began a voluntary4 ,elizabeth1 who was reading a letter1 now closed it1 leisurely opened a book1 and desired her to play the lesson to which she pointed4 ,this piece1 ma'am6 ,gravana thinks ,english music despicable4 ,and ,english manners1 ,i presume8 ,manners1 ma'am6 ,madame ,la ,blond's was a fashionable seminary4 ,and what is fashion1 my dear8 ,oh1 nothing--nothing1 ma'am1 but doing as we please3 we seldom saw ,madame except in evening parties4 ,then to whom were you indebted for instruction8 ,to our masters1 ma'am1 said ,miss ,vincent1 in a tone of surprise4 ,at ,madame ,la ,blond's we were instructed in all the sciences2 in the nature of valves2 the specific gravity of bodies2 the astonishing properties of magnetic steel2 and how many thousand miles the sun was from the earth4 ,and perhaps you were told1 by what means ,archimedes burned the ships of ,marcellus1 at the siege of ,syracuse8 ,o no1 ma'am2 but we learned the art of memorizing by hieroglyphics4 ,this formed a part of our morning exercises4 ,pray1 my dear1 said ,elizabeth very gravely1 can you repeat the multiplication table throughout8 ,miss ,vincent hesitated4 ,i know very little1 ma'am1 of figures3 our studies were in general of the highest order4 ,but it was a charming seminary6 ,we had no particular rules2 we could go to rest1 or rise when we pleased2 and favourites were always asked to dance with select parties in an evening4 ,i seriously regret1 said ,elizabeth1 that we have robbed ,madame ,la ,blond of so amiable a pupil4 ,madame1 ,i assure you1 ma'am1 lamented it4 ,she told ,papa ,i was the chief ornament of her school4 ,but he was very angry1--,i don't know why2 but he questioned me so closely1 that ,i might as well have been before a court-martial4 ,indeed ,i am certain he would have ordered me1 had ,i been a private soldier1 to the triangle1 merely because ,i said that ,madame despised people in trade4 ,and your ,papa really vindicated trade6 ,oh1 ma'am1 the ,colonel has strange plebeian notions4 ,i never saw him so angry as he was when ,i told him that we--,i mean ladies of a certain rank--had been the means of sending a merchant's daughter from school1 by styling her ',miss ,thimbleton1' and 'the little seamstress4' ,her mamma had the meanness1 ,i may say the impertinence1 to send vulgar check muslin to be made into a frock1 at ,madame ,la ,blond's6 ,we took care1 however1 to break the needles1 and burn the thread4 ,i hope you have finished your remarks3 be pleased1 now1 to listen to me4 ,in consequence of the close intimacy that exists between our families1 ,i pass over your presuming manner this morning2 but recollect1 said ,elizabeth with firmness1 that it shall never be repeated4 ,if you dare to disobey1 expect punishment4 ,from this time you are never to speak to me1 unless ,i ask a question4 ,now play the lesson ,i proposed4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,mrs4 ,adair had selected from the first class four young ladies1 to regulate the younger pupils4 ,they were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room2 they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises1 and endeavour1 not only to instruct but amuse4 ,it has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves4 ,miss ,damer was fully aware of this truth2 all her leisure time1 therefore1 was devoted to the young people under her care4 ,she had only three1 and they had very different abilities3 ,miss ,bruce's capacity was bright1 but she loved to defer all to the last moment2 there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character1 and she was warm and impetuous4 ,isabella ,vincent had moderate abilities1 but a very persevering temper2 whatever she had to learn1 she laboured at it with her whole heart1 and her disposition was placid and amiable4 ,miss ,grey was a clever girl2 she had been at an excellent school1 and was proficient in most of the minor branches of education4 ,she was fond of exercising her ingenuity to amuse her companions4 ,one evening she had collected a party round her1 intending to divert them with new grammatical exercises4 ,now1 ladies1 she cried1 as she held a paper in her hand1 are you all ready1 all prepared to listen and to learn8 ,miss ,isabella ,vincent1 what are you doing8 ,i am certain you do not mean to attend4 ,if she will not attend1 said ,miss ,damer1 stepping into the circle1 ,i am quite prepared-- ,oh1 ,miss ,damer1 are you here8 cried ,miss ,bruce3 we shall have no fun now6 ,i thought you were in the drawing-room4 ,cheerfulness is one thing1 fun another2 but when they both come together1 they are often noisy companions so we must do without them here4 ,but we did not think you would come to us this evening1 said ,miss ,grey4 ,oh1 do1 ,miss ,damer1 leave us to ourselves one half hour4 ,first let me read the paper you are trying to conceal4 ,you will only think it nonsense1 said ,miss ,grey2 but don't be angry1 ,i beg1 for it was only for our diversion4 ,miss ,damer began to read3 ',mrs4 ,adair1 substantive proper4' ,very improper to take this liberty4 ',singular number1 feminine gender1 indicative mood1 perfect tense2 face1 mind1 and figure1 in the superlative degree4--,miss ,warner inclining to the acute accent4' ,but what is she8 asked ,miss ,damer4 ,a noun proper1 certainly1 and of the singular number4 ',miss ,cotton1 demonstrative pronoun2 compare good1 and she is in the superlative degree4 ',miss ,hilton1 voice semi-vowels2 in the primitive order by nature1 governed by a queer looking definite article4 ',miss ,vincent1 manner the imperative mood2 self1 first person singular2 mind1 imperfect tense2 eyes1 positive2 voice1 in the superlative degree2 nose1 the interrogative point4 ',miss ,bruce1 an interjection1 or an interrogative4' ,true1 said ,miss ,damer1 particularly where books are concerned4 ,well1 ,i do love books6 said ,miss ,bruce2 ,i do think ,i could read every one in ,mr4 ,chiswell's shop without being tired4 ,have you a new one to lend me1 ,miss ,damer8 ,if you say all your lessons well1 and are good this week1 ,i will lend you a very amusing and instructive tale4 ,but what is the title8 asked ,miss ,bruce4 ,it is one word1 meaning a mark of folly in young ladies4 ,but ,i must finish the grammatical exercise4 ',miss ,rothman1 a section sufficiently curved4' ,you should not have made this remark1 ,miss ,grey4 ,when you ridicule deformity you shew a want of feeling2 and1 what is of more consequence1 you prove that you treat with contempt the works of your ,creator4 ,miss ,rothman's talents1 and amiable temper1 we cannot too highly prize4 ',miss ,russel1 an index to point out disagreeables2 make her an article1 and she will prove a bad one of the definite order4' ',the little ,rhymer1 a brace2 and ,miss ,wise1 a verb neuter4 ',miss ,damer1 auxiliary verb1 or substantive proper2 first person singular1 face--' ,miss ,darner stopped a moment1 and then went on with1 ',miss ,jane ,adair1--temper1 syntax2 consisting of concord and government2 speech1 a preposition2 voice1 liquids2 face1 mind1 and figure1 in the superlative degree2 as the verb to be loved1 second person singular1 indicative mood1 present tense1 to myself and others4 ,the remainder1 excepting ,miss ,arden1 may be classed with mutes1 crotchets1 irregular verbs1 quotations1 and parallels4' ,i wish1 cried ,isabella1 ,i could write exercises1 or a theme1 or something1 ,i don't care what4 ,and what is to prevent you1 my dear8 ,oh1 nothing at all1 ,miss ,damer1 if ,i could but tell what to write4 ,tell how the world was made1 said ,miss ,bruce1 that would be a very good subject4 ,i cannot do that1 ,i am sure6 ,i do not know what stars are made of1 they twinkle so2 nor what makes flowers look so pretty1 and smell so sweet2 nor where the wind comes from1 or what it is3 it touches me1 but ,i cannot touch it4 ,you have never read ',evenings at ,home1' said ,miss ,bruce1 or you would know that 'wind is but a quantity of air put into violent motion4' ,but what is the air8 ,tell me this4 ,a clear thin fluid1 certainly1 and the earth is a vast ball2 it would soon break its bounds1 were it not attracted by the sun4 ,but who preserves it in its regular motion8 asked ,miss ,damer4 ,oh1 ,miss ,damer1 exclaimed ,miss ,bruce1 all the stars1 and the moon1 and the trees1 and all that we behold had but one to make them1 and one to support them--the ,great ,almighty ,maker1 who gave me my voice to speak1 my mind to think1 and my eyes to look at the wonders of his works4 ,i wish ,i knew how ,i speak1 and look1 and think1 said ,isabella4 ,my dear little girl1 said ,miss ,damer1 very wise people are ignorant in many things4 ,learn to be good3 it is the best knowledge4 ,i do say my prayers every night and morning1 and ,i'm sure ,i love papa and mamma dearly1 and ,i try to love every body4 ,this is one way certainly to be good1 if you obey your parents as well as love them1 and think of your prayers when you are repeating them4 ,i am sure1 ,miss ,damer1 ,i should love you1 you are so good4 ,i never could learn my lessons without you assisted me4 ,because you are a dunce1 said ,miss ,bruce4 ,we shall see who will be the best girl and the best scholar1 'the bright and idle one1' or my little friend1 with 'patience and perseverance4' ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,a carriage and four1 as it is styled1 stopping suddenly at the gate1 caused a little bustle4 ,amongst ,mrs4 ,adair's pupils1 some were ready to look1 and others to exclaim1 who can they be8 what a beautiful girl6 and what a nice little boy6 but ,i fear he is lame6 ,oh1 look6 do look at that queer old lady following them out of the carriage6 ,how oddly her nose is turned6 and what a droll bonnet6 ,i wonder whether they will dine with us6 ,i should like to know who they are4 ,while these exclamations were uttered1 ,miss ,vincent pursued other means of gaining intelligence of the new comers4 ,she stole softly into the hall1 and screened herself from observation1 in a narrow passage leading to the store-room4 ,the next moment she beheld a tall girl1 an elderly lady1 and a little boy ushered into the parlour4 ,she listened to hear their names announced1 but in vain4 ,as she was returning to the school-room1 the hall door was opened by ,elizabeth4 ,she hastily retreated into the passage3 but betrayed herself by stumbling over a stand of plants1 that had been placed there1 till they could be conveniently removed4 ,elizabeth1 hearing the noise1 quickly stepped towards the passage1 and perceiving her pupil1 said very coolly3 ,botanizing1 my dear6 ,i fear you require light upon the subject2 if there is any rare1 very curious plant1 give it the name of ',caroline ,vincent1' unless you prefer 'the ,spy detected4' ,mortified at the discovery1 ,miss ,vincent hastened to the school-room1 her face flushed with vexation2 and as she rushed past ,miss ,damer1 who was standing near the door1 exclaimed1 go out of my way1 can't you8 ,certainly6 ,but what has alarmed you so8 ,jane now entered the room2 and ,miss ,russel1 who had been leaning through the window1 hastily turned to ,miss ,vincent1 and exclaimed1 ,i do believe1 ,caroline1 there is a coronet upon the carriage6 but ,i cannot make out either the strawberry leaves or the balls4 ,jane mildly reproved her for leaning through the window1 contrary to the rules of the school4 ,the moment she had quitted the room ,miss ,russel exclaimed1 ,these teachers give themselves strange airs6 ,you should speak with more respect of ,mrs4 ,adair's daughter1 ,i think1 said ,miss ,damer2 excepting in fortune1 ,miss ,jane ,adair is superior to any person here4 ,but you will allow that she is a teacher1 ,i hope4 ,and does it lessen her merit8 ,if any particular class of females are worthy of respect1 surely ladies who instruct young people are entitled to it2 they are the guardians of morals and of manners4 ,but in every school there are one or two ungrateful ones4 ,hear the oracle6 cried ,miss ,vincent4 ,another ,daniel come to judgment6 ,rude manners and loud words do not intimidate me1 said ,miss ,damer1 with modest firmness4 ,i again repeat1 that a person who can instruct us in any one branch of education is entitled to-- ,what8 asked ,miss ,vincent imperiously4 ,deference4 ,more ,i cannot urge1 to a young lady who has been at ,madame ,la ,blond's4 ,but ,i must not say more3 for ,i should not deserve this1 extending her medal towards ,miss ,vincent1 were ,i to be the promoter of quarrels4 ,miss ,vincent hastily caught the medal1 broke the ribbon1 and threw them across the room1 exclaiming1 it is these baubles that make you so insolent6 ,the young ladies with one accord flew to the medal4 ,miss ,arden however1 was the fortunate person4 ,on securing it1 and returning it to her companion1 she said1 accept this symbol of peace from my hand1 my dear friend4 ,as for ,miss ,vincent1 ,i just view her as the passengers in the mail coach viewed the fly1 for she makes herself equally ridiculous4 ,it is a pity that ,miss ,vincent is the daughter of so brave a man6 cried ,miss ,cotton4 ,who would suppose that one of our greatest heroes was her father6 ,father6 how vulgar6 returned ,miss ,russel4 ,pray who is your papa1 ,miss ,cotton1 that you presume to give yourself these airs1 and speak in this manner8 ,my papa1 ,miss ,russel1 is a plain country gentleman1 and ,i may say with truth that he reigns in the hearts of his children1 and has taught them to 'honour and obey their father and their mother1 that their days may be long in the land4' ,but you fashionable young ladies1 'who press to bear such haughty sway1' are exempt from this code1 for there is no express command to honour pas and mas4 ,i hope ,mrs4 ,adair will never give another medal1 said ,miss ,damer4 ,you deserved it1 cried ,miss ,cotton with warmth1 and ,i hope you will always be rewarded for excelling1 in every thing you attempt4 ,a person must be envious indeed1 said ,miss ,arden1 who can for a moment feel hurt at another being rewarded6 ,had they your temper1 cried ,miss ,cotton1 envy would indeed be unknown2 but medals of merit1 as they are styled1 certainly create strife4 ,but heroes1 poets1 and artists are distinguished by many proofs of regard1 observed ,miss ,arden2 why should we be against a reward to merit here8 ,you do not consider1 said ,miss ,cotton1 great men1 have great minds2 but we have very little ones4 ,i can only say1 ,i pity any one with a malicious temper3 and a person must have one1 indeed1 who can envy ,miss ,damer2 for she never provokes to anger1 or gives offence4 ,and pray how are you to answer for ,miss ,damer8 asked ,miss ,vincent4 ,i wonder you ask this question1 returned ,miss ,arden4 ,from the first day ,i came into this house ,i had reason to dread you2 and love1 and esteem1 ,miss ,damer4 ,though ,i was a stranger to every one1 you made me a subject of ridicule2--but ,i will not tell you of all your unkindness4 ,pray how long have you been1 in studying this set speech8 ,only whilst you were setting your face to look contemptuously4 ,wonderful6 ,i could not have supposed that a creole had wit6 ,but ,i forget1 you are the heiress of a rich nabob6 ,pray to what black knight1 or noble emperor1 are you allied8 ,oh1 fie6 fie6 how can you be so insolent6 cried ,miss ,damer4 ,miss ,vincent's words do not trouble me3 they have lost their power2 let her be as severe as she pleases4 ,if she could not display her talent in satire1 we should say she was the simple one of ,mrs4 ,adair's school3 there are drones and dunces every where4 ,my dear ,miss ,arden1 let us cease all disputes1 said ,miss ,cotton2 ,miss ,vincent and her friend are the most suitable persons to be together1 when they are in a quarrelsome mood3 let us forbear speaking to them4 ,cotton would make an admirable methodist parson1 cried ,miss ,vincent4 ,i wish ,i could return the compliment2 for a good method leads to proper conduct4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,the young ladies had always to write an extract from one of the sermons they had heard at church on the sabbath day4 ,in this exercise of memory ,miss ,damer particularly excelled2 the most difficult sermon she could transcribe almost word for word4 ,this had excited the spirit of envy in ,miss ,vincent4 ,the week after the dispute upon the medal1 when ,miss ,damer opened her book1 wherein she had written a sermon with extreme neatness1 she found every line so scrawled1 that one word could not be distinguished from another4 ,surprised at this proof of secret malice1 she involuntarily gave the book to ,miss ,cotton1 who was seated by her4 ,mrs4 ,adair1 however1 desired to look at it4 ,after examining every page1 she said1 and at the same time fixed her eyes upon ,miss ,vincent1 ,i pity the young lady who has done this2 she has betrayed one of the meanest passions of the human mind4 ,she now looked anxiously round the room2 ,i see few countenances1 she added1 where envy reigns4 ,miss ,vincent1 had you ever this book in your hand8 speak in a moment--yes1 or no3 ,i want no other word6 ,no1 ma'am2 ,i never had the book in my hand1 ,i can declare with truth4 ,miss ,bruce1 is this your work8 for ,i know you are a little busy-body4 ,o no1 ma'am6 ,i would not blot any lady's book for the world4 ,mrs4 ,adair now turned to ,miss ,arden3 my dear1 have you been amusing yourself with your companion's book8 ,no1 ma'am4 ,the mystery1 ,i think1 will soon be explained3 and ,i fear ,i shall find that there has been more artifice than truth in a young lady's assertion4 ,come hither1 ,isabella1 ,i wish to speak to you4 ,little ,isabella's features betrayed confusion and terror3 and as she slowly walked up the room1 she burst into tears4 ,do not be afraid1 said ,mrs4 ,adair1 in a soothing tone of voice1 ,i am not angry with you4 ,tell me plainly how it was4 ,what did your sister say to you8 ,o1 ma'am1 she said--,o dear1 ,i wish ,i were at home-- ,come1 speak the truth1 my dear4 ,you know you are one of my best little girls4 ,tell me how you were led into this error4 ,speak openly1 and do not be afraid4 ,i have not done it--,i mean1 ,i have--,o dear1 where is mamma8 ,happy at home1 ,i make no doubt4 ,but were papa and mamma here1 it would make no difference1 for ,i must have the truth4 ,did you mark this book8 ,o dear1 yes1 ma'am6 but ,i would not have done it1 but ,i must do it4 ,o1 sister1 you know--you do know--and you will pinch me so6 ,do1 dear1 good ,mrs4 ,adair1 tell her not to pinch me1 for ,i know ,i shall scream6 ,this is a strange account6 ,we must have a little conversation1 my dear1 in the evening4 ,correction1 or advice1 will have no effect with you1 ,miss ,vincent4 ,you are not aware that your conduct will be deeply impressed upon the mind of every young lady present3 it will be remembered when you have forgotten the circumstance yourself4 ,i shall expect to see you with your sister4 ,mrs4 ,adair looked round upon her pupils with a countenance of affection and concern4 ,young ladies1 she added1 it behoves you to conduct yourselves in this house in a manner1 that you may go forth into the world with modest confidence1 arising from the pleasing reflection that you have fulfilled your duty in all things4 ,then1 in future life1 when you unexpectedly meet a school-companion and friend1 how pleasant will be the greeting6 ,and when ,i am old and infirm1 should you recollect me1 and call upon me as the friend of your youth1 how gratifying will it be to my heart to think that ,i have been one means1 in the hands of ,providence1 of giving to society discreet and amiable women4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,the vacation now commenced4 ,the physician had ordered change of air for ,jane1 or rather change of scene3 she therefore accompanied ,miss ,cotton to spend a month with her parents4 ,elizabeth1 however1 would not accept any invitation4 ,mrs4 ,adair was surprised at the circumstance1 knowing that young people are fond of novelty1 particularly after the confinement of a school4 ,it is strange that you have refused all our friends1 she said to her daughter1 especially your old favourite6 ,elizabeth coloured highly4 ,my dear mother1 teaching has given me the wisdom to value a comfortable home4 ,how quiet we are this evening6 and what a cheerful1 blazing fire6 and as for this tea1 ,i think ,i never tasted any thing so fragrant4 ,and are these your reasons for remaining at home8 ,o no6 but only think how pleasant it is to be free from monotonous voices buzzing in one's ears6 ,to-night ,i shall go to rest without the fear of being disturbed 'with the sound of the school-going bell1' and shall rise to-morrow an independent being4 ,ah1 ,elizabeth6 is there no vexation1 or lurking regret1 dwelling upon your mind8 your countenance will betray you4 ,believe me1 there are many obstacles to the fulfilment of our wishes in this world4 ,in all things it may be said1 'we look through a glass darkly4' ,but no more on this head3 you have reason1 and you must exert it4 ,be assured of one thing1 we are often wisely disappointed in our plans of happiness2 if we attain our wishes1 we must not expect to be wholly free from care4 ,i have promised to spend a few days with ,colonel ,vincent's family4 ,you shall go with me to town on ,thursday4 ,but1 my dear mother1 you know-- ,i understand you1 said ,mrs4 ,adair4 ,i do not mean that you shall be their visitor2 ,i have another plan in view4 ,i know that ,miss ,damer is very uncomfortably situated at home1 therefore you can call for her1 to spend the time here whilst ,i am absent4 ,the morning ,mrs4 ,adair and her daughter arrived in ,london1 ,elizabeth sat a few minutes with ,mrs4 ,vincent1 and then proceeded to ,b---- ,square1 where ,mr4 ,damer resided4 ,as she entered the house she beheld all things in confusion2 men were employed in packing up china and chandeliers2 straw and cord were strewed over the hall floor2 and people were running in every direction1 carrying trunks1 chairs and sofas4 ,elizabeth inquired for ,miss ,damer3 and was answered by a footman in a very surly tone1 that he knew nothing of her4 ,an elderly1 respectable looking female now stepped forward1 and begged ,elizabeth would follow her4 ,they passed through two empty apartments1 and she then gently opened a door into a room which was little more than a closet1 the light issuing from a small casement4 ,a band-box1 a bookshelf1 and a trunk1 upon which ,miss ,damer was seated1 close to a grate1 containing the dying embers of a fire1 were all that ,elizabeth could discern4 ,her pupil started from her seat1 with eyes red with weeping1 and in a confused tone exclaimed1 ,miss ,adair here6 ,i am here1 indeed1 said ,elizabeth2 and ,i hope ,i am come to a good purpose4 ,but what has caused this strange confusion8 ,but ,i beg your pardon1 perceiving the distress of her pupil1 ,i was not aware of what ,i was saying4 ,you must come with me2 ,i came hither on purpose for you4 ,then you have heard of our troubles1 ma'am8 ,i see them all4 ,but we have not a moment to spare4 ,guided by the impulse of the moment1 ,elizabeth dropped upon one knee1 opened the band-box1 took out a bonnet1 and then searched the trunk for a pelisse4 ,miss ,damer looked down upon her dress-- ,never mind your morning dress1 my dear3 this will cover all1 said she1 as she assisted ,miss ,damer with her pelisse2 and as she tied the strings of her bonnet1 exclaimed1 ,now we shall do2 but we must go immediately1 for the days are short4 ,as they were leaving the room1 the elderly female came up to them3 ,where are you going1 my dear young lady8 ,ah1 my good nurse1 ,i had forgotten you in my surprise6 ,this is ,miss ,adair3 but ,i am so confused1 ,i scarcely know what ,i am doing--only that ,i am going where ,i have been most happy6 ,but you will write to me1 or see me1 or something4 ,if you wish to see ,miss ,damer1 come in one of the morning coaches1 said ,elizabeth4 ,i thank you1 ma'am1 kindly1 said the nurse4 ,you are now in good hands1 my dear young lady1 so do not fret2 ,providence1 ,i have often told you1 would never desert so dutiful a daughter2 and you find an old woman's words may be true4 ,we shall be happy yet1 never fear4 ,people cannot forget their own4 ,never mind if they do3 there is an eye over you in all your ways4 ,and there is a death-bed1 too1 said she in a low voice2 then conscience will be heard--there is no saying1 ,i won't hear2 no creeping into corners1 and running away4 ,when the arms drop1 and the head is weary with anguish1 coaxing and paint will not give one jot of comfort2 no1 nor the sight of the most beautiful face upon earth4 ,be good1 then1 my dear young lady1 for the evil day will come to us2 and what a blessing it will be1 if we can say with sincerity1 'the ,lord's will be done4' ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,as ,elizabeth was stepping into the chaise she suddenly recollected the trunk2 and turning to the nurse1 desired it might be instantly corded1 and given to the driver4 ,a man who was standing at the hall door exclaimed1 but we must first search it4 ,search it1 then1 cried ,elizabeth1 haughtily1 but do not detain us in the cold4 ,cold1 forsooth6 said the man2 ,i wonder what people would be at1 with their fine carriages6 ,i shall take my own time1 ,i can assure you1 ma'am1 though your feathers are so high6 ,there is no arguing with vulgar1 obstinate people1 said ,elizabeth1 as she drew up the chaise window2 she did not consider1 that civility is due to every person2 it is1 however1 too much the case with young ladies that they think they have a right to command with authority1 and1 however unreasonable1 that their command must be obeyed4 ,elizabeth saw that her pupil was too deeply affected to answer any questions1 therefore during the ride remained silent4 ,in the evening1 however1 ,miss ,damer mentioned that her father had left the kingdom1 and with a trembling voice added1 there are circumstances1 ma'am1 which it would not become me to reveal2 when ,mrs4 ,adair returns home1 as far as ,i am at liberty1 ,i will explain the cause of our distress4 ,not another word upon the subject1 cried ,elizabeth2 ,i was not attending to you1 for this teasing kitten has ruffled all my silks4 ,elizabeth turned the kitten out of the room1 and began to put her netting balls in order1 saying at the time1 what have ,i to do with your father's affairs1 my dear8 ,i will not hear any family secrets2 for ,i do not love secrets of any kind4 ,you are in the house of friends3 therefore try to be happy4 ,my mother and sister never make professions3 by their actions you must judge them4 ,for my part1 ,i would rather have one act of kindness than a thousand promises1 or words of praise and comfort4 ,but come and assist me with my silk1 for ,i can do no good with it4 ,elizabeth wrote the particulars to ,mrs4 ,adair1 and finished her letter with the hope that the promise she had given to their pupil1 of having a home with them1 would not be disapproved4 ,mrs4 ,adair received this letter with some degree of displeasure4 ,she was not one who was generous for worldly fame2 she justly considered that her pupil's friends were the most proper persons to provide for her1 and lost no time in calling at her late residence4 ,on her arrival at the house1 she found all the shutters closed2 an elderly female1 however1 at the moment stopped and unlocked the door1 who proved to be the nurse ,elizabeth had seen4 ,mrs4 ,adair followed her into the house1 which was quite desolate3 not a piece of furniture was remaining4 ,she inquired if ,miss ,damer had any relations or friends to take care of her4 ,no1 indeed1 madam1 said the nurse2 her mother's sister is the only near relation1 and she has married somebody4 ,it was a sad day for my poor young lady6 she was stupified with grief6 ,her father fled--and the sheriff's officers in the house6 ,all things were in confusion6 chairs in one place1 carpets upon dining-room tables1 satin curtains upon the floor1 nothing in its place2 and then to see the nice things my good mistress had once so highly prized1 handled so roughly6 ,ah1 madam1 ladies little think1 when they are so delicate in handling their finery1 into what brutish hands it may fall at last6 ,but a happy thing it was1 that my mistress did not live to see the confusion4 ,the young lady6 said ,mrs4 ,adair2 other affairs ,i have not any thing to do with4 ,my young lady1 madam6 ,ah1 from a child she knew the right from wrong2 but sorrowful was her life1 after her mamma's death4 ,she was no squanderer of her father's money--she knew the value of every thing2 no waste1 no scantiness was her mode4 ,but it was a sad day when she ceased to rule in her father's house4 ,o1 ,madam1 ,i have seen her so treated6 ,but it will come home at last to those who have triumphed in their wickedness2 justice overtakes sinners in the long-run4 ,mrs4 ,adair now inquired if ,miss ,damer had heard from her father4 ,no1 ,madam2 nor dare he return to ,england2 he is too profligate to think of any person but himself1 and the painted1 gaudy creature and her children who are gone with him4 ,but ,i hope my young lady will find a friend with you1 ,madam1 for ,i am sure you are ,mrs4 ,adair4 ,mrs4 ,adair told her to make herself easy respecting ,miss ,damer1 and desired she would go down and spend a day at her house4 ,it will be a satisfaction to the young lady to see you1 she added4 ,scarcely was ,mrs4 ,adair seated1 on the evening she returned home1 when ,elizabeth1 in a tone of fretful impatience1 asked why her letter had not been answered8 ,i pass over your question1 said ,mrs4 ,adair1 to ask why you did not consult me1 respecting a provision for ,miss ,damer8 ,it was impossible6 ,i could not keep her in a state of suspense4 ,but do you consider1 that bills must be discharged1 and that servants' wages and taxes must be paid1 before we make even an ideal division of the sums we are to receive from parents8 ,and for ,miss ,damer1 we shall not receive sixpence6 ,and who is to pay for the harp1 the pelisse1 the bonnet1 and the books that her father requested us to purchase8 ,likewise her washing bills1 and many other extras1 which of course add to the account4 ,o1 my dear mother1 said ,elizabeth with astonishment1 ,i could not have supposed that you would have thought of these petty things4 ,i have more than thought1 for they have dwelt upon my mind4 ,great affairs women seldom have anything to do with2 it is in the petty1 every-day concerns of life1 that we are called upon to be prudent4 ,how many men date their troubles to the thoughtless extravagance and want of economy in a wife6 ,but1 for the sake of bringing the subject home to your own bosom1 we will suppose that you are a young married woman4 ,elizabeth blushed1 and was attempting to speak1 but ,mrs4 ,adair checked her4 ,you receive your friends1 and return your parties in bridal finery2 one excursion takes place of another1 and gaiety upon gaiety succeeds2 this passes over1 and with faded dresses1 faded looks begin4 ,at least1 care sits a little heavy on your husband's brow2 he perceives that you are deficient in all the requisites for a good wife2 and when he looks round the uncomfortable apartment in which he is seated1 his thoughts naturally revert to the home of his youth1 and his prudent1 excellent mother2 you are too much the lady to attend to domestic concerns4 ',servants receive high wages3 and they must do their duty4' ,and what is their duty8 ,just to please themselves2 and tease you for money for trifles1 and to go to market4 ,you supply all their wants1 without considering what is wasted1 and what is really wanted4 ,next we will suppose that a young family demands your aid3 nay1 your constant care4 ',but the fatigue1 and the bustle1 and the noise of children distract you1' ,poor1 helpless little things2 they have not reason to take care of themselves3 additional servants must therefore be engaged4 ,and they are constantly with nurses1 who sometimes coax them1 sometimes beat them1 and sometimes scold them2 so1 through their mother's idleness1 they learn many vicious tricks4 ,evil grows upon evil4 ,through your extravagance1 and your husband's misfortunes1 you are brought to beggary4 ,how do you like this picture8 ,o1 mother6 you do not think so ill of me6 ,i would do every thing1 and submit to every inconvenience1 rather than involve the man ,i should marry in misery4 ,depend upon it1 ,elizabeth1 people live in an ideal world1 when they do not think of proper ways and means to provide for a family4 ,the word liberal1 in its modern sense1 means profuseness to needy adventurers1 and idle friends2 indifference to the nearest and dearest ties1 originate in this misapplied term4 ,a liberal spirit runs into debt to honest tradesmen1 and with an unruffled countenance hears of their bankruptcy4 ,the liberal treat as lords1 when they know they are only beggars4 ,believe me1 the most estimable characters are those with whom there is the least tendency to this overflowing prodigality of kindness4 ,it is1 however1 my wish to serve ,miss ,damer4 ,she shall be educated for a governess4 ,but let us not neglect the old despised adage3 ',be just before you are generous4' ,,chapter ,x4 ,from the first day that ,miss ,vincent entered ,mrs4 ,adair's house as a pupil1 she was anxious to return to ,madame ,la ,blond's4 ,whilst the ,colonel was at home1 she knew it would be in vain to mention the subject2 but no sooner was he called abroad1 than she wrote in the most urgent terms to her mamma to remove her4 ,i shall never be happy here1 she added1 in her letter1 for ,mrs4 ,adair is so strict1 and tiresome6 ,you will be surprised1 mamma1 when ,i assure you that she is quite a sanctified ,methodist3 we have prayers in a morning1 and prayers in an evening1 and are obliged to write sermons6 ,she is not by any means a suitable person to finish my education2 and there are not five young ladies in the school1 whose parents drive four horses4 ,at ,blazon ,lodge how different6 ,they were all fashionable1 excepting two4 ,do1 my good mamma1 let me return to my dear ,madame ,la ,blond4 ,miss ,adair has actually put me into ,murray's small grammar1 and ,i am only in the third class4 ,in passing through the gallery1 ,mrs4 ,adair found the copy of the letter2 and whilst she was reading it1 ,miss ,vincent cautiously advanced1 looking earnestly upon the floor4 ,on seeing the paper in ,mrs4 ,adair's hands1 she hastily exclaimed1 ,o1 ma'am1 that is mine6 ,i have just dropped it3 it is a copy of music1 ,i believe6 ,then ,i will look it over again1 said ,mrs4 ,adair1 as she entered the school-room with the paper in her hand4 ,miss ,vincent followed1 with a countenance of scorn and vexation4 ,take your seat1 ,miss ,vincent4 ,here there was a long pause2 the young ladies looked at each other1 wondering what was to come next4 ,mrs4 ,adair read the copy again4 ,why do you censure us so severely8 she asked4 ,i only think1 ma'am--,i think-- and here she hesitated2 but at length her former assurance returned1 and she said in a more audible voice1 ,i think1 ma'am1 we have too much religion introduced4 ,in the circles where mamma presides1 it is never mentioned4 ,from my own knowledge of your mamma1 ,i do not think you are exactly correct4 ,but let that pass3 and now answer one question3 no doubt you are anticipating the time when you will be released from all school duties3 when you enter the gay world1 how many years do you expect to partake of the joys of a fashionable life8 ,miss ,vincent was silent4 ,bating all casualties1 continued ,mrs4 ,adair1 forty years of gaiety is the utmost that a female can expect2 and in scenes of pleasure1 days1 months1 and years glide swiftly away4 ,the value of time is unknown3 at least1 it is not properly estimated1 till grey hairs1 wrinkled features1 and a debilitated frame check the career2 then eternity1 with all its hopes and fears1 opens to the view4 ,we will for a moment consider you upon the bed of sickness1 surrounded by your family2 a physician1 with an air of irresolution1 writing a prescription1 and your anxious countenance denoting the insufficiency of all earthly aid2 will the remembrance of balls1 routs1 and artificial scenes1 cheer the dying hour8 ,the moment arrives when you close your eyes upon this world and its vanities2 'ashes to ashes1 and dust to dust1' finish the scene6 ,the mouldering earth is lightly scattered over the coffin1 and the tomb is deserted by survivors4 ,but remember1 a day will come when you will be called to judgment1 to answer for your deeds upon earth4 ,in what manner will days1 months1 and years of folly be justified1 in the presence of your ,creator and ,judge8 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,a little time after the discovery of the letter ,miss ,vincent returned home to her mamma1 who had been some time seriously indisposed2 and1 to the great joy of ,mrs4 ,adair1 the following week ,miss ,russel left the school1 to accompany her parents to the ,continent4 ,now we shall go on pleasantly1 said ,mrs4 ,adair to her daughters2 the only two disagreeable girls we had under our care are removed3 and if ever ,i have another of a similar description1 ,i will send her home immediately1 whatever be the consequence4 ,mrs4 ,adair's mind1 at the time she said this1 was a little irritated1 for she had heard something particularly unpleasant respecting the conduct of her late pupils4 ,she now resolved to be strict in future2 never allow the young ladies to be alone1 even in the play-ground1 nor permit them to spend an hour from the school between the vacations1 except by the express desire of parents in particular cases4 ,when the young ladies heard there would be no half-day holydays between the vacations1 there was a general consternation amongst them4 ,some murmured1 and others were satisfied that ,mrs4 ,adair must have good reason for her proceeding4 ,when ,miss ,bruce heard the new rule1 she said to ,isabella ,vincent1 ,i never knew such a thing6 ,not visit this half year6 ,and my ,aunt promised to take me to the exhibition1 and ,miss ,linwood's works1 and ,i don't know where6 ,i never knew any thing so provoking6 ,but ,i will be revenged1 that ,i will6 ,and what will you do8 asked ,isabella2 what do you mean by revenge8 ,i am sure it is something very wrong4 ,it is only making others feel as well as ourselves1 that's all4 ,but if they vex us1 why should we vex them8 ,i know ,i always feel sorry when ,i have made people angry4 ,don't talk to me--,i will write such a theme6 ,ah1 ,miss ,bruce6 mamma says we should never do wrong4 ,i wish you would not mention your mamma1 for it is a very ugly word4 ,o1 ,miss ,bruce1 ,i never heard such a thing6 ,i once loved it dearly1 said ,miss ,bruce1 in a softened tone4 ,those were happy days6 ,i can fancy ,i see somebody now1 sitting up in bed1 with her nice white cap1 so pale1 and so pretty2 and somebody kneeling by her1 and praying for her1 and blessing her4 ,but all would not do1 to save one ,i loved6 ,here tears trickled from her eyes3 but she suddenly recollected herself2 ,i must not think of it2 it is over1 and for ever gone6 ,and now for my theme4 ,poor ,miss ,bruce1 said ,isabella1 in a soothing tone1 ,i wish you were my sister1 and then you would have my mamma1 and she would love you so6 ,and do you think ,i would give up some one1 for all the mammas in the world6 ,no1 no--there is no one like him4 ,but ,i will mortify ,mrs4 ,adair1 that ,i will6 ,to think that ,i must not go to my ,aunt's on ,thursday6 ,and there will be my cousins1 and ,edward ,warner1 and ,margaret ,james1 and some one who is worth them all2 though ,i don't talk of him as you talk of your ,papa4 ,after musing a few minutes1 with her pencil in her hand1 and her head resting upon a slate1 she joyfully exclaimed1 ,i have it1 ,i have it indeed6 ,and what have you got8 cried ,isabella1 as she sprang from her seat1 and looked over ,miss ,bruce's shoulder4 ,only my ideas2 neither apples nor plums4 ,but ,i wish you would not wipe my face with your curls4 ,i have got the clue to my fable2 ,i will have ,mrs4 ,adair1 and ,i think your papa too4 ,i am sure you never shall3 you never saw papa6 ,indeed ,miss ,isabella1 you are quite mistaken2 ,i have seen him in shop windows1 in magazines1 and ,i am certain he is in a fine gilt frame in our study4 ,i wish people would not take such liberties4 ,papa has no business to be in windows1 and other people's frames4 ,why1 don't you know that only great writers1 and great fighters1 and very good men1 and very bad men1 are noticed that way6 ,if your papa was not good as well as great1 he would not be fixed in our house1 unless in the servant's room1 with ,jemmy and ,sandy1 and the ,storm1 and ,auld ,robin ,grey4 ,whatever you may think1 it is a very great honour to be noticed by somebody that ,i could name4 ,i have not any thing to do with honour1 cried ,isabella1 and talking of things ,i don't know4 ,hush6 don't speak6 ,can't you see that ,i am busy4 ,i wish ,i knew what people do when they have great books to write4 ,my thoughts jumble so together1 ,i can't tell what to make of them2 it is sad teasing work4 ,if ,caroline was here1 she could tell you what to write4 ,and do you think that ,i should ask a dunce8 ,if ,i could but begin1 ,i know ,i could go on4 ,here ,miss ,bruce considered a little4 ,i must think of my thoughts3 no1 ,i must write them down4 ,o1 ,miss ,bruce1 ,miss ,bruce6 cried ,isabella1 eagerly1 do look through the window2 there is a balloon flying1 and a paper boy tied to it6 ,i wish you were flying too3 don't you see that ,i want to write my fable4 ,let me see3 ,ass1 #a2 ,farmer ,killwell1 #b2 somebody's papa1 but not mine4 ,turkey1 #c2 ,barn-fowls1 #d2 ,little schoolgirl1 #e4 ,o1 how shall ,i put all these words together to make any thing of them6 ,o1 that ,i could but begin6 ,there it is6 said ,miss ,bruce joyfully2 and she wrote several words upon her slate4 ,well1 there is nothing like a good beginning6 ,i will finish to-night2 so now let us go to the ladies1 and ,miss ,bruce skipped out of the room1 with her slate and ,isabella4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,with some surprise1 ,miss ,damer1 in looking over the themes1 read the following fable3 ,one bleak1 cold winter morning1 an ass and her foals were loitering upon the edge of a wild common2 not a tree was to be seen1 and scarcely a bit of herbage for their breakfast to be found4 ',this is a comfortless life6' said the ass2 'the winds are chilly1 the snow will soon fall1 and we have not a shed to cover us6 ,what shall we do8 for ,i fear we shall be lost4' ,the ass turned her head1 for she heard the tinkling of bells1 and saw a shepherd driving sheep from the common4 ',ah6 a happy thought6 we will go to ,farmer ,killwell1 and tell our sorrows unto him4' ,no sooner said than done2 they plodded through miry lanes1 waded through shallow brooks1 and at length arrived at the farmer's gate4 ,the tale was soon told4 ,the farmer pitied their piteous case2 'but1' said he1 'idleness bringeth want4 ,exert yourselves1 and you will find friends4 ,begin a school at once2 here are my poultry1 my birds1 and my young cattle to teach3 not a moment is to be lost4'--',it is a good thing to have a good friend6' said the ass1 as she stalked into the farm-yard4 ,here she brayed with a most audible voice3 ',hearken to me1 parents and little ones6' she cried2 ',i am come hither to inspire you all with wisdom4' ,the goose1 as wise as a goose can be1 stared at the speaker2 tossed her head on one side1 gave a loud quack1 and returned to comfort her goslings1 who were fluttering in every direction4 ',you little ducklings1' continued the ass1 'don't spread your feet so vulgarly4 ,mrs4 ,turkey1 ,i have long sighed for the honour of your patronage3 the charming little poults1 ,i hope1 will gain new beauties from our exertions4 ,mrs4 ,barn-fowl1 your chickens are too timid2 we shall soon teach them to hop with grace4 ,as for these awkward maudlin rabbits1 ,i fear we cannot do any thing with them2 and these ill-bred creatures1 ,mrs4 ,sow's progeny1 we cannot attempt to teach4' ,a sturdy mastiff1 who had followed the group of gazers1 now barked furiously2 dispersed the poultry1 pushed ,mrs4 ,sow and her family into the mud2 and1 spite of ,farmer ,killwell1 drove the ass and her foals out of the farm-yard4 ,a little girl1 who was witness to the hubbub1 exclaimed1 ',ah6 this is excellent6 ,mrs4 ,adair has borrowed a garment from the ass1 to teach simple ones wisdom2 but she will never teach little girls to love new rules4' ,where is the moral to your fable8 asked ,miss ,damer1 with some degree of anger4 ,i never thought of the moral2 of what use would it be to my theme8 returned ,miss ,bruce4 ,and of what use is any theme or fable without a moral8 ,but ,i wish to know your motive for writing this ridiculous piece4 ,to vex ,mrs4 ,adair1 certainly1 because she won't let me go to my ,aunt's on ,thursday4 ,and do you really think that it is in your power to vex ,mrs4 ,adair with this trifling nonsense8 ,you may be assured of this1 ,miss ,bruce1 the only notice she will take of this childish1 insignificant fable1 will be to make you read it to the ladies4 ,i won't be talked to in this way1 though you are my monitress4 ,i will write what ,i please2 so saying1 she snatched the slate from ,miss ,damer1 and in haste rubbed off the words4 ,the wisest thing you could do1 said ,miss ,damer4 ,now sit down1 and reflect seriously upon your conduct1 and then tell me whether you feel quite satisfied with yourself1 or whether you are grateful to ,mrs4 ,adair for her care of you1 and attention to you4 ,you are the only little girl who has not a mamma3 who would be so indulgent1 so tender to you1 as ,mrs4 ,adair8 ,at these words ,miss ,bruce sobbed violently2 but her sorrow was of short duration3 ,you would vex any thing1 ,miss ,damer1 with talking so quietly4 ,i like people to be angry with me1 and then ,i can be angry myself4 ,my dear1 ,i shall not listen to you1 so ,i advise you to cease talking3 it is my plan never to argue with unruly little girls4 ,come1 ,miss ,grey1 and ,isabella2 we will go into the play-ground4 ,isabella whispered to ,miss ,bruce as she passed her2 do1 dear ,miss ,bruce1 be good4 ,why should you vex ,miss ,damer when she is so kind to you8 ,miss ,bruce pushed her companion's hand from her shoulder1 and turned her face to the wall1 and there they found her on their return4 ,when the bell rang for prayers1 ,miss ,bruce sprang across the room to ,miss ,damer1 who was seated1 talking to ,miss ,arden1 and throwing her arms round her neck1 she exclaimed1 ,you must indeed forgive me2 ,i cannot sleep unless you say1 'good night4' ,miss ,damer turned round1 and kissed her3 ,now1 my dear1 ,i hope you will never offend me again4 ,oh1 ,miss ,damer6 ,i will love you for ever1 for forgiving me so soon4 ,the bell rang1 and she hastened out of the room4 ,should you not have been a little more stern8 said ,miss ,arden4 ,my dear friend1 ask yourself whether you could be so to a little girl who has no mother4 ,tears started into ,miss ,arden's eyes4 ,i did not think of that4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,one evening after school-hours1 ,mrs4 ,adair went into ,jane's apartment1 who at this time was chiefly confined to her chamber1 and found her busily employed sealing small parcels4 ,one was directed1 ,for my friend ,miss ,damer2 another1 ,for my dear little ,isabella ,vincent2 and a third1 ,for my amiable young friend ,miss ,arden4 ,mrs4 ,adair seated herself with the work in which she was engaged3 and as her eyes glanced to the sealed parcels1 tears stole down her cheeks4 ,my dear mother1 said ,jane with tenderness1 ,i am only making a little preparation before my journey4 ,you must have been aware1 some time1 that the days of my life were numbered2 and they will now be very few4 ,but do not grieve on my account3 it is the appointment of ,one1 who is unerring in his ways4 ,excepting the separation from you and my sister1 ,i feel that ,i have no regret at leaving this world4 ,death is a subject that ,i have often contemplated4 ,the grave1 and the last perishable garment in which ,i shall be clothed1 have now lost all their terrors4 ,the evening ,i first arrived at school1 when my mind was filled with grief at our separation1 ,i remember being greatly shocked at the slow1 solemn1 deep tones of the village church-bell4 ,i cannot describe my feelings at the time4 ,sorrow at leaving home rendered the awful muffled peal more dismal to my ears3 but from that night ,i may date my first serious thoughts of another world4 ,i have never troubled my friends with my reflections1 but that bell was as a monitor1 to warn me that ,i was not for this world4 ,miss ,arden now entered the room2 and ,mrs4 ,adair gladly escaped1 to indulge her tears in secret4 ,with a calm collected countenance she then re-joined her pupils2 but at the same time experienced the sorrow of a parent1 who knows she is soon to be deprived of a beloved child4 ,for ,jane's appearance too plainly denoted1 that the period was at hand when the keepers of the house would tremble4 ,at this time her uneasiness was increased by a melancholy1 distressing letter from ,mrs4 ,vincent1 urging her not to delay a moment coming to her2 that she was to undergo an operation1 that would either close life or restore her to her family4 ,various feelings agitated ,mrs4 ,adair's mind as she read the letter4 ,after a little reflection1 she fixed upon the proper mode of acting1 and in an hour a chaise was at the door1 to convey her to her old friend4 ,jane had now been confined wholly to her chamber a fortnight4 ,her disease was of a fluctuating nature3 sometimes she appeared almost in perfect health2 at others1 as one dropping into the grave4 ,she was seated in an arm-chair1 supported with pillows4 ,when ,mrs4 ,adair entered the chamber1 one hand rested upon a book that lay open upon a small table1 and near the book was her watch2 her head was thrown back1 and her face was covered with a muslin handkerchief4 ,mrs4 ,adair1 who had slowly opened the door1 now as cautiously advanced2 listened to hear her daughter breathe2 and then gently raised the handkerchief4 ,jane started4 ,afraid of disturbing her1 ,mrs4 ,adair remained some time with fixed attention1 holding the handkerchief from her face4 ,a hectic flush was upon her cheeks2 but her countenance was placid and happy4 ,when she returned into her own chamber1 ,elizabeth was there1 who anxiously inquired if she had seen her sister4 ,but have you taken leave of her8 she cried4 ,mrs4 ,adair drew the veil of her bonnet over her face1 as she said1 taking leave is a trial of all others-- and here she paused2 this is not of any consequence to you4 ,o1 my dear mother1 we have no earthly hope1 no support but yourself2 let my sister's eyes rest for the last time upon the mother she has so tenderly loved2 she will not die in peace unless you are with her4 ,my feelings are as irritable as your own1 said ,mrs4 ,adair2 leave me to act according to my own judgment3 not another word4 ,bring ,isabella to me1 for the chaise is at the door4 ,while the ladies were walking with ,miss ,wilkins1 the teacher1 ,elizabeth went into her sister's chamber2 and at the door met ,mrs4 ,lloyd1 the housekeeper1 who had been ordered by ,mrs4 ,adair to explain the motive of the journey to ,jane4 ,o1 sister1 cried ,elizabeth1 how could my mother1 so considerate and good as she is1 leave you in this state6 ,we cannot tell all her motives1 said ,jane2 only consider what were my mother's feelings1 when she fixed her eyes upon this poor emaciated frame1 as she supposed1 for the last time4 ,it was cruelty in the extreme1 cried ,elizabeth4 ,do no speak rashly1 my dear ,elizabeth2 we will hope-- and her eyes brightened with an expression of joy1 that all will yet be well2 that1 through the mercy of ,providence1 ,mrs4 ,vincent will be restored to health1 and that ,i shall be permitted to remain a little longer with you4 ,o1 that it were to the day of my own death1 exclaimed ,elizabeth with fervency4 ,there are few persons to whom my heart earnestly inclines1 and ,i would have them with me through this life1 and all eternity4 ,my dear sister1 these things are not at our disposal4 ,but let us consider the subject3 every night we experience temporary dissolution3 and then we are separated1 even as if the hand of death had smitten us2 when we go to rest1 we have no positive assurance that we are to open our eyes again upon the objects of this world2 still we project schemes2 calculate upon probable and improbable events2 but the entire suspension of our faculties is never taken into the account4 ,yet we are ignorant whether we are to open our eyes on the objects of this world1 or that which is to come4 ,i own ,i have not any desponding thoughts2 ,i rest alone upon the mercies and the merits of a suffering and a redeeming ,saviour2 he is my sole refuge4 ,to our mother1 my conscience acquits me either of intentional errors1 or errors of omission4 ,this is a source of the purest consolation2 it clears the rough1 the thorny path to the valley of death4 ,elizabeth1 my dearest sister1 listen to me before ,i go hence1 and be no more seen4 ,every night recall to mind the actions of the day4 ,let this be the question you put to yourself3 ,have ,i done my duty in all things8 ,where you have failed1 let the morning sun1 as it rises1 be a token to you that another day is given for wise and good purposes2 in the grave there is no remembrance of error1 no atonement to be made for transgression1 for neglect of the social duties of life4 ,elizabeth gazed at her sister with feelings of tenderness and sorrow4 ,all things pass away1 said ,jane1 as she raised her eyes to her sister's agitated face2 but 'when this mortal has put on immortality1' then ,elizabeth1 when we meet again1 it will not be for transient days1 and years1 but for ages of eternity4 ,exhausted with speaking so long1 she pointed to the book upon the table4 ,the spirit is willing1 said she1 faintly1 but my voice is weak2 will you oblige me1 sister8 ,from my heart ,i will1 exclaimed ,elizabeth2 would that ,i could not only oblige1 but retain you for our comfort1 for this world to my mother will be a wilderness indeed4 ,not so1 said ,jane1 tears flowing into her eyes2 my affectionate1 my warm-hearted sister will be my substitute6 ,o1 ,elizabeth1 friend dearest to me1 may you be blessed where your heart is fixed4 ,elizabeth started1 and her countenance became pale as death4 ,sister1 ,jane slowly added1 you could not keep the secret from me2 ,i have traced it in all your actions2 but1 rest assured1 it will descend with me to the grave4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,elizabeth was restless and uneasy the whole of the day that her mother had taken her departure for ,colonel ,vincent's4 ,the evening was wet and gloomy2 the young people could not1 therefore1 take their usual exercise in the play-ground4 ,after sitting some time with her sister and ,miss ,arden1 she sauntered into the school-room1 to observe how they were employed4 ,some of the young ladies were attending to their lessons for the following day4 ,one party had spread the road to happiness upon a work-box2 all anxious to attain the desired haven4 ,another young lady was seated alone1 joining the map of ,europe4 ,in a corner of the room1 apart from all her companions1 ,miss ,bruce was reading the admirable instructive tale ,display4 ,elizabeth looked over her shoulder1 ,my dear1 ,i thought you had read that book six months ago4 ,o yes1 ma'am2 but ,i can read it over and over again3 there is not a new book now in the school4 ,you mean1 said ,elizabeth1 smiling1 that you have read them all4 ,but can you explain the word ,display8 for ,i think most young ladies are partial to it1 in one shape or another4 ,a carriage now stopped at the door2 and ,elizabeth exclaimed1 who is in that carriage8 ,miss ,grey1 who was near the window1 raised herself upon a box1 and looking over the blind1 cried1 ,mrs4 ,adair1 ma'am1 and ,miss ,isabella ,vincent4 ,elizabeth hastened from the room1 and met her mother at the hall door1 joyfully exclaiming1 ,o1 my dear mother1 this is an unexpected1 welcome pleasure6 ,but how is ,mrs4 ,vincent8 ,composed and comfortable2 the operation was performed yesterday3 but it was not my intention to desert you3 how could you think so8 ,the truth was1 ,mrs4 ,adair had called upon the physician1 and begged that he would inform her daughter that she would return in the evening3 but a press of engagements had prevented his visit to ,jane1 who now with joy beheld her mother enter her chamber4 ,i thought you would return to see me on my journey1 she exclaimed2 and you are returned1 my dear mother4 ,blessed be this hour6 ,miss ,arden and ,miss ,damer1 from the hour they met in the summer-house1 were strict friends4 ,their capacities were similar1 and they were at the head of the different classes4 ,on the days appointed for geography1 the young ladies were in a room called the study4 ,miss ,arden had observed that one of the servants1 a respectable looking young woman1 generally contrived to enter the apartment1 and busy herself with one thing or another3 but always looked1 anxiously at the globes1 or the maps1 and stopped a moment to listen1 either to the teacher or the pupils4 ,miss ,arden noticed the circumstance to her friend2 ,i will certainly ask ,catherine1 she said1 if she has any motive in attending to our pursuits2 there is something in her countenance that excites my curiosity4 ,the first time she met her alone1 she made the inquiry4 ,i have1 indeed1 ma'am1 a motive1 said ,catherine2 ,i would give all my wages1 could ,i but learn as you do4 ,but of what use1 ,catherine1 would learning be to you8 ,you can read your ,bible2 and it will shew you all that is necessary for you to know4 ,your duty as a servant1 and the way to heaven1 the place where we all hope to meet1 when we have done with this world1 and its cares4 ,ah1 ma'am1 ,i am not satisfied even with knowing this1 though it is all that a servant should know4 ,i do not understand you1 ,catherine4 ,tell me why you wish to gain other knowledge8 ,because1 ma'am1 ,i am most wishful to be useful to my parents4 ,they are poor1 and have a large family to bring up4 ,if ,i could but open a little school in our village1 what a blessing should ,i be to them6 ,well1 ,catherine1 said ,miss ,arden1 after considering a little1 ,i will do what ,i can for you--,i mean if ,miss ,damer approves2 for ,i dare not trust to my own judgment4 ,meet me in the school-room early to-morrow morning1 and ,i well tell you how it is to be4 ,when the friends met in the play-ground1 they talked the subject over4 ,there cannot1 ,i think1 be any thing wrong in doing good to a fellow-creature1 said ,miss ,damer1 therefore ,i think we may venture2 but we must rise an hour earlier than usual4 ,catherine was delighted when she heard the result of their conference2 and1 with many expressions of thankfulness1 promised to leave a lamp at their door4 ,the young ladies began the employment of teaching with alacrity4 ,they endeavoured to ground ,catherine in those things that would be useful in a village school4 ,but geography her mind was bent upon1 so ,miss ,arden presented to her a book2 likewise several little works1 which she thought would be useful4 ,one morning1 however1 they were surprised in the midst of their lessons4 ,begin that line again1 said ,miss ,arden4 ,elizabeth had walked gently into the room1 and now stood by the table where the two young ladies were seated1 and ,catherine standing4 ,when they beheld her1 they all started1 and looked aghast4 ,you are very early at your tasks1 young ladies6 ,but ,i did not know that we had a new pupil4 ,pray when did she arrive8 ,i beg you a thousand pardons1 ma'am1 for leading the young ladies to do wrong6 ,it was all my fault1 said ,catherine4 ,miss ,arden related the matter plainly as it was4 ,i commend ,catherine1 said ,elizabeth1 for her wish to serve her parents2 nor am ,i offended with you1 young ladies1 for wishing to serve her4 ,but you must beware that we are not to do a wrong thing1 even with the very best motives4 ,there is always something mean in acting clandestinely4 ,why could you not have been candid1 and told me her wish8 ,you must not meet here again4 ,catherine1 when you have leisure1 continue your lessons2 and ,i will fix upon some other mode of instructing you2 at least a proper time1 not by the light of a lamp4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,when the physician was first called in to attend ,jane1 he strictly forbad any person sleeping with her3 ,elizabeth1 therefore1 removed to a small camp bed1 which was placed by her sister4 ,a few mornings after ,mrs4 ,adair's visit to ,mrs4 ,vincent1 ,jane suddenly awoke2 and in an earnest1 quick tone of voice1 begged that her sister would come to her4 ,but first draw aside the window curtain1 said she1 ,that is right4 ,now come into my bed--only this morning--never--never again4 ,surprised at a request so unusual1 ,elizabeth instantly obeyed4 ,do not sit up1 sister1 nor creep from me2 lay your head upon my pillow4 ,jane now folded her arms round her sister's neck1 and kissed her tenderly4--,this is my first and last proof of affection6 ,o1 sister6 where--and when shall we meet again8 ,the sun had risen1 and gilded every part of the room4 ,jane raised herself1 as if by magic4 ,let me behold every thing--for ,i shall never behold any objects upon earth again6 ,this day my soul will be required by my ,heavenly ,father6 ,ah1 my soul6 it is an awful thing to die2 even with hope and trust in thy ,almighty ,power6 ,but ,thou art mighty to strike1--merciful and gracious in raising thy servants unto glory4 ,jane now paused2 other thoughts seemed to arise4 ,her glazed eyes wandered from object to object4 ,ah6 there is my writing-desk2 give that to my mother6 ,there is my ,bible2 that is for my dear little favourite6 ,here is my watch2 but ,i cannot see the minute finger move4 ,it is of no consequence3 time will soon be over6 ,keep it1 my dear ,elizabeth1 and when you look upon it1 remember we are to meet again6--,ah6 thou bright luminary6 she exclaimed1 with fervency1 ,i hail thee1 this1 my last morning upon earth1 as the evidence of that ,being1 who will lead me through the valley of the shadow of death1 to never-ending glory6 ,what is this life1 my dearest ,elizabeth1 when we come to die8 ,but where is my mother8 ,i am weak--very weak1 and faint4 ,let me support you1 dear ,jane1 said ,elizabeth1 trembling with emotion4 ,well1 sister1 said ,jane1 faintly1 you shall support me4 ,i will die in your arms6 ,jane dropped in a state of insensibility upon her pillow4 ,elizabeth rang the bell2 and the next minute ,mrs4 ,adair was in the room4 ,she stepped to the side of the bed where her youngest daughter lay2 and1 stooping1 listened to hear her breathe4 ,my affectionate1 my dutiful child6 ,here she ceased1 for tears checked her utterance4 ,jane sighed deeply2 her eyes gradually opened1 and1 at length1 rested upon her mother3 by slow degrees recollection returned4 ,where could my thoughts be6 she exclaimed in hurried accents4 ,is my mother here8 ,ah1 yes6 ,i behold her6 ,i did not know you1 indeed ,i did not6 ,but bless me2 bless your daughter4 ,mrs4 ,adair tenderly embraced ,jane2 and in faltering accents blessed her4 ,my dearest1 kindest mother1 be comforted6 ,we are parting--but to meet again6 ,the trial will soon be over6 ,my hope is fixed upon the promises of a merciful ,redeemer6 ,i am only going a little--a very little while before you6 ,how joyful is the thought1 that we are not separating for ever6--this is my joy1 and her eyes brightened as she spoke1 that ,i have reverenced my ,god1 and loved my mother4 ,but this pain2--,o1 it is violent6--,mother--444,here the voice ceased2 not a sigh1 not a whisper was heard4 ,mrs4 ,adair1 who had been supporting her daughter1 now gently placed her head upon the pillow1 and silently led ,elizabeth out of the room4 ,at the door of her own apartment she saw ,mrs4 ,lloyd2 and desiring her to take the charge of ,elizabeth1 who appeared almost convulsed with anguish1 instantly returned into the chamber she had so recently quitted4 ,after indulging that grief1 which the most unfeeling in some measure experience1 when they behold the lifeless remains of a being they had loved1 she calmly proceeded to accomplish the desire of the departed1 in preparing her for that narrow spot1 which confines all that was mighty1 rich1 noble1 excellent--the despised of the world1 the neglected of the world2 that spot which is the boundary of ambition1 and the sure refuge for the distressed4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,when ,mrs4 ,adair had retired to her own chamber1 on the night of her daughter's decease1 and was reflecting upon the awful event of the morning1 her attention was drawn from the subject by a low whispering sound4 ,aware that the teachers and servants were retired to rest1 she could not account for the circumstance2 she now heard doors slowly opening1 and was persuaded that different persons were passing her room4 ,alarmed1 but at the same time collected1 she cautiously opened her own door2 and perceiving a glimmering light proceed from the chamber where her daughter's remains were laid1 resolved to be satisfied1 and with light1 slow steps1 advanced to the spot4 ,there1 with surprise1 she beheld several of her pupils4 ,at the head of the bed stood ,miss ,arden1 with eyes mournfully bent upon the face of the departed2 ,miss ,damer stooped to kiss the corpse1 and then burst into a violent flood of tears4 ,that smile1 said ,miss ,cotton1 proves that the soul is rejoicing in heaven4 ,where shall we again behold upon earth one so amiable or so lovely8 ,o1 that ,i may be equally prepared1 when my hour comes1 cried ,miss ,arden4 ,hush6 hush6 cried ,isabella ,vincent1 in a tone of terror1 did you not hear some one breathe8 ,o1 do hide me4 ,she now covered her face with her frock4 ,miss ,grey took her passive hand1 and tried to comfort her4 ,look at ,miss ,jane1 and then you will not be frightened2 now do look--it is so simple to be afraid2 she appears only as if she were asleep4 ,there is not any thing terrible in death1 only to wicked people2 ,i am sure ,i should not be afraid to die to-night4 ,i dare not look6 indeed ,i dare not6 do take me to my own room4 ,you must look at ,miss ,jane1 or you will always be frightened at being alone4 ,you know ,i am but a little girl as well as yourself2 but ,i should not be afraid to sleep here to-night4 ,think how good she was6 living or dead1 she would never injure us4 ,o1 take me away3 ,i don't know what you are saying2 why does not some one speak8 ,o1 do somebody speak1 or ,i shall be frightened to death4 ,miss ,grey whispered to her companion that ,mrs4 ,adair was come into the room4 ,is she8 ,o how glad ,i am6 ,now ,i don't mind4 ,saying this1 she uncovered her face1 and crept quietly to ,mrs4 ,adair2 who was asking why they had assembled in the chamber at so improper an hour4 ,we should have been miserable1 ma'am1 said ,miss ,cotton1 unless we had seen ,miss ,jane to-night2 and as we shall never behold her again1 we thought1 ma'am1 you would pardon us4 ,i could not have slept2 and the other ladies declared the same4 ,but wherefore did you come1 ,isabella8 ,o1 ma'am1 because ,i dared not to be alone4 ,but why are you afraid to look at my daughter8 ,o1 ,i am not afraid now2 ,i will look at ,miss ,jane1 said ,isabella with assumed courage2 but do let me take hold of your hand1 ma'am2 then ,i know ,i shall be safe4 ,you have better protection than mine1 my little girl1 or you would be poorly defended4 ,he who made you1 he alone can guard you3 but there is not any thing to fear from the dead4 ,mrs4 ,adair led her pupil to the head of the bed4 ,look1 my dear1 how happy and composed she appears2 as quiet and sound as your little brother1 when he is asleep4 ,by degrees1 ,isabella ventured to turn her eyes upon the corpse2 ,i am not afraid1 ,i am not afraid indeed1 said she1 almost gasping for breath4 ,at length her eyes were fixed upon the face of the deceased3 ,she can't be dead--she must be asleep6 ,but hush6 ,i do not hear her breathe6 ,where is ,miss ,jane's breath now1 ma'am8 ,as she said this1 she timidly stretched forth her hand1 and lightly touched the face of the departed2 then hastily starting back1 cried2 must we all be so cold--as cold as marble8 ,we must all be so1 indeed6 ,there is no warmth1 my little girl1 when the soul is fled4 ,but what is the soul1 ma'am8 and where is it8 asked ,miss ,bruce4 ,your question is beyond my power to answer4 ,the vital spirit1 which we call the soul1 is given by ,god1 to direct us to do that which is right2 and1 from childhood to the grave1 is our faithful friend4 ,my daughter1 whose lifeless remains you are now contemplating1 was in all her ways actuated by this spirit1 to obedience1 and to goodness2 and in a state of glory she will again exist1 with a mind purified and exalted4 ,what would be the use of life1 and of the wonderful powers with which we are gifted1 were we to lie down in the grave1 as the beasts that perish8 ,but how will ,miss ,jane rise again1 ma'am8 asked ,miss ,bruce4 ,it is in the ,bible1 that at the last day we shall be 'raised in the twinkling of an eye4' ,o1 that ,i could behold ,miss ,jane rise now2 then ,i should never die6 ,we read1 said ,mrs4 ,adair1 that the seed is cast into the earth1 and rises up wheat1 or any other grain3 but we do not know how this comes to pass4 ,the seed1 that looks so insignificant in our eyes1 after it has been in the earth the appointed time1 gradually breaks forth in all its glory4 ,we likewise shall be put into the earth2 no longer valued1 but by the remembrance of our worth2 there we shall moulder and decay1 and in time be forgotten by all the inhabitants upon earth4 ,but the season of the resurrection will come3 the soul will resume her influence2 we shall burst the fetters of the tomb1 and appear before the ,judge of nations1 to answer for our deeds upon earth4 ,be good1 then1 my dear young friends2 and1 you will then neither have cause to fear death1 or future judgment4 ,and now take your leave--your final leave of one1 who was in all things worthy of imitation2 and learn with equal ease1 to sleep or die4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,the ,sunday after the funeral1 the young ladies appeared at church1 with very serious and sorrowful countenances2 and afterwards1 with ,miss ,arden and ,miss ,damer1 ,jane was often a subject of conversation3 they loved to recall her to remembrance2 and the proofs she had left of her regard were particularly prized by them4 ,but serious impressions seldom remain long upon the minds of very young people4 ,miss ,bruce was almost the first to return to her old pursuits with gaiety of heart4 ,one evening1 unknown to the teacher1 she had strolled to the front garden gate1 apparently on the watch for mischief4 ,isabella1 who was intent upon learning her lessons for the following day1 had likewise passed the boundary of the play-ground1 and had sauntered the same way4 ,miss ,bruce in a moment caught her hand1 opened the gate1 and ran with her into the lane4 ,where are you taking me to8 exclaimed ,isabella2 you have frightened me so6 ,nonsense6 ,i only want you to go with me to the cake shop3 we shan't be five minutes away4 ,but ,i have no business at the cake shop4 ,and don't you see that ,i am learning my lessons6 ,you will make me forget all6 ',five times nine1 forty-five4' ,o1 dear1 ,i shall forget every thing6 ,what a dunce6 cried ,miss ,bruce2 only at forty-five6 ,i will teach you ten times further2 and to add1 and to subtract1 if you will come with me4 ,i do believe ,miss ,wilkins is there6 ,come along1 or we shall be finely punished6 ,saying this1 ,miss ,bruce dragged ,isabella down the lane1 whilst she struggled to make her escape4 ,i will not go1 ,miss ,bruce6 you have no right to take me6 ,i declare you have made me drop my questions6 ,never mind2 ,i will give you question and answer too4 ,don't you see that stile8 and that nice white cottage by that large pool of water1 where those children are throwing stones8 ,we have only to turn down by those tall trees1 and we shall be there in a moment4 ,i dare not go3 ,i know ,mrs4 ,adair will be so angry6 ,i am determined you shall come6 you are the most stupid little thing in ,england6 ,as ,miss ,bruce said this1 she took firm hold of her companion's frock and arm1 and drew her towards the water4 ,isabella in vain tried to escape4 ,by this time1 they had almost reach the pool2 a boy1 who had been amusing two children1 making circles with stones in the water1 stepped from the edge of the pond1 and marching boldly up to ,miss ,bruce1 as boldly asked her1 what business she had to tease the little lady8 ,do you think1 ,sir1 ,i shall answer a rude1 vulgar boy like you8 ,the boy looked at her with contempt1 and stooping to ,isabella1 said1 ,do1 little lady1 tell me what this great girl is holding your frock for8 ,she wants me to go with her for cakes1 and ,i want to learn my lessons4 ,o1 you are the ladies1 then1 from the great school6 ,i thought ,i had seen you before4 ,i see how it is2 this great girl is like ,jack ,ranger2 she wants to get you into a scrape1 that you may be marked as well as herself6 ,but ,i'll defend you1 never fear6 ,it is not a crab-stick that can frighten me6 ,come with me1 and see who dares to hinder us6 ,he now caught her hand1 and tried to draw her from her companion4 ,you shall not go with her1 against your mind1 were she as big as ,hercules6 ,we are ,english1 and are not to be conquered4 ,miss ,bruce suddenly let go her companion's frock1 and gave the boy a violent slap upon the face4 ,go home1 you little ragged creature1 mend your coat1 and do not talk to ladies4 ,the boy instantly recovered himself from the blow2 and looking at ,miss ,bruce with scorn1 exclaimed1 ,i am not a mender of old clothes1 ,miss6 ,take that for your pains1 and your boarding-school manners6 ,the blow he returned made blood to gush violently from ,miss ,bruce's nose4 ,isabella screamed2 the children cried out1 very well1 ,tom6 ,i would not be you for something4 ,a pretty woman1 but with a stern countenance1 now came forth from the cottage1 and asked what the rout was about4 ,only our ,tom and the lady boxing1 cried the children4 ,for shame of yourself1 ,sir6 ,how dare you behave so to your betters8 ,i would have struck her1 said the boy1 sullenly1 had she been as tall as the steeple1 and as great as ,king ,george ,but come1 little ,miss1 with me1 and let that great girl do what she likes4 ,he now ran off with ,isabella4 ,very well1 ,sir6 but ,i shall tell your father of this1 or my name's not ,grace ,johnson6 ,but come into the cottage1 ,miss2 and let us see what we can do with your frock1 for it is in a sad state4 ,miss ,bruce followed the cottager1 a little ashamed of her appearance2 but more afraid of consequences4 ,she was1 however1 one of those self-willed young ladies1 who think upon a thing one moment1 and act upon it the next4 ,when ,isabella and her champion arrived at the garden-gate1 behold it was locked6 ,what was to be done was now the consideration4 ,we'll tell the truth at once1 said the boy3 it may be blamed1 but1 as the copy says1 it never can be shamed4 ,but don't look so down1 ,miss3 never mind a bit of a thrashing6 ,father gives me many a one2 but ,i never flinch6 ,if ,i am not afraid of that1 ,i am afraid of ,mrs4 ,adair looking serious2 and not wishing me good-night4 ,but do look and see if you can see monitrix4 ,monitrix6 what1 in the name of goodness1 is that8 ,have you a great dog at school8 ,o dear1 no2 ,i mean the lady who hears my lessons before ,i say them to ,miss ,adair4 ,is that all6 ,the boy stepped on one side1 and looked up at the house4 ,no1 ,i see nobody2 there is not a creature in the windows4 ,but ,i'll tell you what1 you shall stop here1 and ,i'll go to the lady of the school4 ,you shan't get anger1 if ,i can help it2 and ,i have helped it many a time at our school1 that the lads know1 to my sorrow4 ,the boy hastily ran to the front door1 and rang the bell4 ,in the mean time ,isabella crept under the court railing to conceal herself4 ,when the servant opened the door1 he asked if the lady was in4 ,do you mean my mistress8 ,to be sure ,i do2 the mistress of the school2 and must see her in a moment4 ,mrs4 ,adair was passing through the hall2 and made her appearance1 with a countenance not a little forbidding4 ,what do you want with me8 she asked4 ,only1 madam1 and here the boy hesitated2 ,i beg your pardon1 madam2 somehow1 ,i have a little lady here3 and ,i don't know what to do with her4 ,you mean something respecting one of my scholars2 what is it8 for ,i am at a loss to understand you4 ,bless me6 surely she's not run away6 ,the boy sprang to the gate1 and quickly returned4 ,she is quite snug2 ,i thought she had given me the slip4 ,a great girl1 ma'am1 ran away with her4 ,she did not come down to the pond of her own free good will4 ,this is as true as truth is4 ,she pulled1 and the great girl pulled2 but with all her might1 madam1 the little lady could not get away4 ,so then ,i marched up to the big girl2 and asked her what business she had with the little one8 ,so she was angry and vexed with my ragged coat2 and made my face ring again3 and ,i gave her a good hard blow in return1 and ran off with little ,miss4 ,i looked up for ,miss ,monitrix1 but could not find her2 so here she is1 under the rails4 ,this was all a puzzle to ,mrs4 ,adair2 but she stepped into the lane with the boy1 and there she saw ,isabella1 seated1 in great trouble1 upon a stone4 ,the affair was now explained4 ,isabella was taken to ,elizabeth1 with the assurance that no one would be angry with her2 but that she must not mention the affair to any person4 ,mrs4 ,adair now proposed going with the boy to his father's4 ,there was an expression of honest warmth in his countenance1 which1 in a moment1 changed her own manner2 and1 as they were going down the lane1 she asked how far they were from his father's house4 ',tis but a cottage1 madam4 ,grandmother says we were once well off in the world2 but things will go wrong some how or another3 but ,i'll make good what ,i wrote to-day4 ,and what was it1 my good boy8 ,only to work while ,i am able1 madam2 and then when ,i am old1 ,i will rest from my labour4 ,but there is our cottage4 ,i wish you could have seen my own mother1 for she was a nice woman4 ,don't you see that clump of trees1 and a barn with red tiles1 and a little boy wheeling a barrow8 ,that's my own brother1 ma'am1 and there's my father at the stile1 looking about him4 ,as they drew nearer the cottage1 they saw the man and his son step over the stile into the field1 followed by a female4 ,well1 ,i declare1 said the boy1 there is mother with her bonnet6 ,i wonder what they are all after6 ,and there's grandmother come to the door6 ,he now called out3 ,grandmother6 here is the lady from the great school1 coming to look for ,miss4 ,then ,i fear1 madam1 you are coming to look for what you will not find4 ,whilst my daughter went down to the pond1 to the children1 she slipped off4 ,my son thinks that the young lady is gone to ,london in one of the stage-coaches4 ,if so1 ,tom1 ,i fear thou wilt be well paid4 ,ah1 grandmother1 that's nothing new6 ,if my own mother was living1 it would not be so4 ,with your permission1 said ,mrs4 ,adair1 as she entered the cottage1 ,i will take a seat till your daughter returns4 ,certainly1 madam2 here is a comfortable seat4 ,but we are not the neatest people in the world1 said the old woman1 as she took up a child's frock from the floor4 ,mrs4 ,adair looked round1 and thought she had never been in any place that had so little the appearance of comfort4 ,the boy looked at her1 and seemed to read her countenance4 ,it was not always so1 madam3 ,i remember we were once happy folks2 but it was a sad day for ,dick and ,i1 when father's wife took place of father's love4 ,thou shouldst think well of thy father's wife1 and honour his choice4 ,stepmothers1 child1 have a hard task3 they cannot please1 do what they will4 ,grandmother1 said the boy1 kindness makes kindness1 all the world over4 ,but1 come what will1 when uncle comes home1 ,dick and ,i will go to ,plymouth1 if we walk barefoot4 ,i am sure he would break his heart1 if he had not me to fight his battles2 but ,i will never forsake him by land or by sea4 ,go to the children1 and take care of them1 said the old woman4 ,and come to my house at four o'clock on ,saturday afternoon1 and ask for ,mrs4 ,adair4 ,the boy made a bow in a blunt manner2 but1 as he waved his hand in passing her1 she thought there was an appearance of good breeding1 that would not have disgraced a boy in a much higher sphere4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,mrs4 ,adair waited a considerable time in the cottage1 and then returned home without receiving any satisfactory account of her pupil4 ,all that she could learn was1 that a little girl in a green bonnet had been seen stepping into a stage-coach4 ,as coaches were continually passing the end of the village1 she knew it was in vain making further inquiries4 ,she wrote1 however1 immediately to ,mr4 ,bruce1 and sent a messenger with the letter1 that he might meet them in town4 ,it has been observed1 that ,miss ,bruce1 in most cases1 acted without reflection4 ,the idea that she had done wrong did not strike her with full force1 until the carriage in which she had placed herself arrived in ,london3 the lights from the lamps1 however1 seemed to throw light upon her thoughts4 ,when the coach stopped at the inn1 the bustle of people gathering their luggage together1 the idea that she did not know the road to her father's house1 the certainty that she had acted in a very foolish manner1 and fear of the reception from her father1 excited many disagreeable thoughts4 ,she was seated in a corner of the coach1 at a loss how to proceed1 when the coachman came to the door4 ,miss1 said he won't you alight8 perhaps you are waiting for somebody8 ,i will thank you to take me home1 and this was said in a very humble tone4 ,the man whistled at the request4 ,i don't know1 ,miss1 whether ,i can or no4 ,did not your friends know that you were coming8 ,but now ,i think of it1 you seemed in a fright when you got into the coach3 what1 was you running away1 ,miss8 ,vexed at the question1 ,miss ,bruce quickly answered1 ,i am going to see my papa4 ,i have business with him4 ,well1 your business is not mine1 ,miss2 but somehow1 ,i think you have been cheating your schoolmistress4 ,but come your way1 till ,i can see for somebody to go with you4 ,i only wish some of my young readers could have seen ,miss ,bruce1 how simple she looked when she followed the coachman into the inn4 ,she wished to be at school1 and with ,miss ,damer again--but it was then too late4 ,and here ,i would advise young people to beware of the first wrong step1 for it generally leads to trouble and mortification1 and often to disgrace4 ,miss ,bruce stood some time unnoticed at the entrance of a large room1 partitioned into boxes4 ,waiters and travellers just looked at the young lady1 and then passed on3 people were too much engaged1 with dishes1 papers1 packages1 and glasses1 to attend to the little stranger4 ,at length1 however1 one solitary gentleman1 who perhaps had daughters of his own1 took compassion upon the forlorn traveller4 ,come hither1 my dear1 and sit by me4 ,miss ,bruce gladly accepted the offer1 for she was a strange figure for a stage coach passenger4 ,her white frock was rumpled1 and in a sad state from the blow she had received2 the tippet was in the same style2 her old green silk garden bonnet hung half off her head4 ,one of her long sleeves she had untied from her tippet1 and taken it off2 the other remained4 ,garden gloves1 cut at the fingers1 completed the dress4 ,thus neatly attired1 in an hour and ten minutes after her arrival in ,london she was ushered by a new footman into her father's study1 where he was seated reading a pamphlet4 ,in a moment he turned the book open upon the table1 raised one of the candlesticks above his head1 and with a keen satirical look exclaimed1 what runaway is this8 ,papa1 it is ,i6 ,this was said in a very trembling accent4 ,and pray who is ,i1 that comes thus attired1 and unasked at this unseasonable hour8 ,only wants three minutes of eleven1 said ,mr4 ,bruce as he fixed his eyes upon the time-piece4 ,with whom did you travel8 ,with a little boy1 and a great man1 papa1 and a little woman1 with a baby and a lapdog4 ,as ,miss ,bruce was speaking1 she would have given a trifle to have been at school again4 ,a goodly company indeed1 young lady6 ,by this ,i conclude that you have disgraced yourself6 ,sit here 7pointing to a chair behind the door72 it is the only place for idle1 thoughtless truants4 ,and now give a reason for your conduct3 ,but there is no reason1 with foolish1 giddy girls6 ,i will have every word correct3 no varnishing1 or lies4 ,after much hesitation1 and many tears1 ,miss ,bruce went through the whole of her story4 ,while she was speaking1 her father seemed lost in thought4 ,no sooner had she finished1 but he started from his chair1 and with his eyes fixed upon the floor1 walked some time from one end of the study to the other4 ,he then stopped1 and looked sternly at his daughter4 ,and so you have been trying your skill at boxing6 ,an admirable accomplishment for a young lady6 ,you have taken upon yourself to be rude to your school companion2 to be ungrateful to ,mrs4 ,adair1 and ventured to ride ten miles in a stage-coach6 ,and in what a dress6 ,you are indeed an enterprizing young lady6 ,now let me tell you1 ,miss ,bruce1 one simple truth3 you have acted in all things contrary to that which you know is right4 ,but pray what is the meaning of the word right8 ,to do all things that ,i know ,i should do2 ,i do not know any thing more1 papa2 indeed ,i do not4 ,you know the right1 but a perverse and wilful disposition leads you to do wrong4 ,mr4 ,bruce rang the bell1 and ordered the housekeeper into his presence4 ,when she entered the room1 he commanded her to close the door4 ,take my daughter1 said he1 to the chamber that was occupied last night4 ,you are not to speak to her1 nor allow any servant in the house to do so4 ,give her a little bread and milk3 go1 child4 ,papa1--here ,miss ,bruce sobbed2 and would have added1 ,o1 do forgive me6 but her father sternly bade her leave him4 ,mr4 ,bruce looked at his daughter when she was asleep4 ,he heard her murmuring and intreating2 and listened to words that affected him deeply4 ,he sat down by her bed-side until she was tranquil3 and whether he shed tears of tenderness over her is best known to himself2 but the following morning1 though his feelings were softened1 his countenance was equally stern4 ,his carriage was at the door2 and at ten o'clock he and his daughter arrived at ,mrs4 ,adair's4 ,neither at breakfast nor during the ride had he uttered one word4 ,madam1 said he1 the moment he beheld the mistress of his child1 ,i have brought a runaway4 ,i will not make an apology for her conduct3 it is not in my way2 it rests entirely with yourself whether she will be accepted or rejected4 ,providence1 in the justness of his ways1 has deprived her of an excellent mother4 ,how far servants are capable of giving right ideas of female decorum1 you are yourself to judge4 ,when ,i fixed ,margaret with you1 it was not to education alone that ,i looked2 my views and hopes extended to principles1 temper1 and conduct4 ,the mere mechanical parts of education may at all times be purchased for money2 automatons may be made to perform wonders4 ,but we all know that something more is wanting to give solidity and consequence to character4 ,if you refuse my daughter1 she will lose her best friend4 ,not another word1 ,sir1 on the subject2 ,i still expect to make something of this little girl4 ,she is rash1 careless1 and perhaps a little mischievous3 but ,i am not without hope2 and past grievances we will now forget4 ,go1 said ,mrs4 ,adair1 turning to her pupil1 bring a frock to me2 remember ,i pardon you now1 but ,i shall never do so again2 and take care that you do not tell any person that you ran away1 and were so foolish4--,it is well she is my god-daughter1 and my namesake1 said ,mrs4 ,adair1 as her pupil crossed the hall3 then1 addressing ,mr4 ,bruce1 she added1 ,depend upon my word1 ,sir2 ,i will be the friend of your daughter in remembrance of her mother2 this is the strongest claim upon my attention2 far more so than that of a name4 ,i bless you again and again for your kindness1 said ,mr4 ,bruce with warmth4 ,i have now no fears for ,margaret2 she must remain with you1 until you can say1 'your daughter is now all ,i can desire4' ,this is exacting too much2 'all that you can desire1' is beyond my power to make her2 but ,i will try to make her a comfort to you4 ,i have good ground to work upon1 and ,i hope you will have reason to think1 that ,i have not neglected the soil4 ,as ,mr4 ,bruce was returning to his carriage1 his daughter1 who was descending the stairs with a clean frock1 flew to him1 exclaiming1 do say you forgive me6 ,i will never vex you again2 ,o1 dear papa1 say you will but forgive me4 ,well1 child1 ,i do forgive you4 ,o1 how good and kind you are6 ,i will never forget it4 ,but1 dear papa1 won't you say something more8 ,god bless you1 child6 and may he always bless you4 ,mr4 ,bruce hastened to the carriage1 drew up the window1 and the boy drove off4 ,tears streamed from ,miss ,bruce's eyes2 ,o1 that papa would but have given me one kiss1 ,i should have been so happy6 ,if you are good1 said ,mrs4 ,adair1 when next he sees you he will give you two4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,the time had arrived for ,miss ,damer to go into a private family as a governess3 all the young ladies were anxious to give her a proof of remembrance1 and these tokens of esteem had chiefly been the work of leisure hours4 ,as ,miss ,damer was collecting her painted boxes1 velvet bags1 and all her little presents together1 she thought1 who can say that there is no kindness or friendship in the world8 ,i have been in sorrow1 perhaps for a good purpose2 at least1 it has shewn me the disinterested regard of others4 ,while similar reflections were passing in her mind1 ,miss ,arden hastily entered the chamber1 and stepping towards her1 abruptly put into her hand a small parcel4 ,i have not a moment to speak to you1 she exclaimed1 with tears in her eyes1 ,i cannot for the world take a formal farewell2 so when you leave us do not notice me3 ,god bless you1 ,damer6 and she hurried out of the room4 ,miss ,damer looked at the parcel with a countenance of sorrow1 and as she opened it a note dropped upon the floor2 she took it up1 and read the paper she held in her hand4 ,accept these notes1 my dear ,damer1 they are all that ,i have been able to save from my scanty allowance2 remit them to your father1 whose troubles ,i know have grieved you1 and when ,i can ,i will send you more4 ,in fourteen months ,i shall be my own mistress4 ,how joyfully do ,i anticipate the time6 ,then1 my dear ,damer1 ,i shall have a home to offer you1 and a purse to relieve every care1 as far as wealth can go4 ,farewell1 my kind friend2 you and ,mrs4 ,adair have all my affections in this world4 ,,ann ,,arden4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as young people are always anxious to learn the destination of the characters in the book they have been perusing1--in closing this little work1 ,i will give you a short sketch of those ,i have attempted to delineate4 ,and here let me observe1 that the incidents are chiefly drawn from facts4 ,the name of one of the principal characters was given1 by the desire of a young friend1 two days before her death4 ,miss ,russel has lost her parents1 and is wandering upon the ,continent1 as companion or friend to a lady well known in the fashionable world4 ,miss ,vincent is removed from her family by her marriage to a gentleman of consequence in ,ireland4 ,she is still the same character1 haughty and insolent4 ,her sister ,isabella1 is improving in all the graces of mind and person2 she is the general favourite of the school4 ,miss ,bruce is becoming all that her father can desire4 ,when ,miss ,damer went into the situation as a governess1 it was with the hope of remaining some time1 perhaps years4 ,we can easily fix our plans1 but we are strangers to the future2 it is not for us to say by what means they are to be frustrated4 ,when ,miss ,damer had been two months a governess1 she was told by the gentleman's sister in whose family she was placed1 that several friends were to dine with them1 and she begged that she would join their party4 ,on that day she attracted the notice of a gentleman who was one of the guests4 ,when she entered the drawing-room1 and he heard her name announced1 he turned quickly to look at her2 he beheld the same dark pensive eyes1 the same noble features1 and modest1 dignified manner1 which seventeen years before had struck him in another4 ,but it was not her personal appearance altogether that interested him3 it was the character that had been given of her by ,mrs4 ,adair2 and the remembrance of his feelings1 when his daughter in her troubled sleep exclaimed1 ,o1 my dear ,miss ,damer1 do come to me6 ,papa then won't punish me1 you are so like mamma6 ,but ,i will not prolong this subject2 ,i have only to add1 that ,miss ,damer is the happy wife of ,mr4 ,bruce2 and that few persons are more attached to each other than the mother and the daughter ,mr4 ,bruce1 though several years older than his wife1 was exactly the person calculated to make her happy1 being a man of excellent character and good sense2 giving part of his time to the world1 but considering home the chief place for happiness4 ,when ,miss ,arden came into possession of her fortune1 she remained as a parlour boarder with ,mrs4 ,adair1 but the principal part of her time was spent with ,mrs4 ,bruce4 ,a lingering disease1 however1 came on1 and she could not be happy separated from her friend3 she therefore removed to her house4 ,after experiencing the most affectionate attention from ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,bruce1 she at length resigned her life1 with hopes full of immortality4 ,mrs4 ,adair and her friend were with her in her last moments4 ,she expressed her gratitude to them with all the energy of health2 and then1 clasping a hand of each1 died serenely1 hoping to meet them hereafter4 ,to the father of her friend she left a very handsome annuity for life4 ,i know1 she had stated in her will1 that ,i cannot oblige my friend in any other shape but by contributing to her father's comfort1 and oh1 may he see the error of his ways1 before it is too late4 ,most of her school companions she had remembered2 but particularly a young lady1 whose parents had been unfortunate4 ,after leaving tokens of regard to every one to whom she had considered herself the least indebted1 she left the remainder of her fortune1 to be equally divided between ,mrs4 ,adair1 her daughter1 and ,miss ,bruce4 ,and here let me remind young ladies of fortune1 that they are too apt to neglect the instructress under whose care they have spent the early part of life4 ,surely1 when young people have been years under one roof1 gaining knowledge1 and daily indebted for care and kindness1 they should not discard from their thoughts one of their best friends2 but how often is this the case6 ,the moment a young lady steps into a carriage1 and drives off for the last time from the dwelling of her instructress1 she seems to forget that there had ever been such a person in existence4 ,perhaps1 when her nuptial favours are preparing1 and her hopes are bright1 she may exclaim in a careless tone1 ,o1 we must not forget-- here she mentions the lady to whom1 next to her parents she is most indebted2 and here finishes her remembrance of school1 and the friend of her youth3 in bridal favours1 or flimsy letters1 all her gratitude is shewn4 ,in giving a sketch of the young ladies1 ,i must not forget ,elizabeth1 who is now the happy wife of ,colonel ,vincent's brother4 ,it had been her lot to be doubtful of his regard several years4 ,her spirits had been elated or depressed1 as she had judged ,mr4 ,vincent's feelings interested towards herself4 ,had not that language which poets describe betrayed his sentiments1 she might justly have concluded that1 of all persons living1 she would be the one to whom his affections would never seriously incline2 but no sooner did fortune second his wishes1 and a living was presented unto him1 but his heart and hand were offered to the object of his earliest regard under the happiest auspices2 therefore ,elizabeth exchanged the useful employment of a teacher1 for the meritorious duties of a wife4 ,when ,mrs4 ,adair received the fortune due to her from her pupil's will1 her friends concluded that she would resign the school4 ,to the intreaties of her daughter on the subject she gave this reply3 ,why should ,i give up an employment which is a relief to my mind8 ,in my earliest and brightest days1 ,i never particularly relished the gaieties of the world2 with my friends1 my chief happiness centred2 the associates of my youth are1 to my fancy1 as friends departed4 ,the later objects of my care are likewise withdrawn from me2 but though ,i have lost one dear to my heart by death1 and another by marriage1 still ,i have affections warm and tender towards youth4 ,there must be something to attach us to life1 something to occupy time1 and interest our regard4 ,as worldly beings1 with worldly thoughts1 we must have resources independent of those in a religious point of view4 ,i trust ,i have chosen the wiser part1 in preferring an active to an idle life4 ,at home1 in the midst of my children 7for so they are in my esteem71 ,i shall always have something to excite interest2 and if watchful care1 tenderness1 and exertion1 can reclaim the stubborn1 or add to the happiness of my pupils1 ,i shall think that ,i have not lived in vain4 ,when my course is finished upon earth1 may you1 my dear ,elizabeth1 be enabled to say with truth to your daughters1 ',never was an instructress more happy with her pupils1 or pupils happier with an instructress4' ,,finis4 ,,london3 ,,printed ,,by ,,cox ,,and ,,baylis1 ,,great ,,queen ,,street4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,archaic spelling of pourtrayed1 viranda1 ,magna ,charta1 stupified1 shewn and ,auld have been retained as they appear in the original publication4 ,changes to the original have been made as follows3 ,page #e froward inclinations forward inclinations ,page #ah a look3 but ,i assure a look2 but ,i assure ,page #bj ,i have so few ,i have so few ,page #cd for our diverson for our diversion ,page #dd prefer 'the ,spy detected4' prefer 'the ,spy detected4' ,page #ed ,i see few countenances ,i see few countenances ,page #fc and ,i hope ,i am and ,i hope ,i am ,page #ga inqured if ,miss ,damer inquired if ,miss ,damer ,page #hg in particular cases4 in particular cases4 ,page #ic ,i must think of my ,i must think of my ,page #aja into the play-ground4' into the play-ground4 ,page #ajb her3 ,now1 my dear e in her inverted ,page #aji who had been been ordered by who had been ordered by ,page #aje her pupils43 but at her pupils2 but at ,page #aci ,miss ,bruce4 ,it is in ,miss ,bruce4 ,it is in ,page #aff into his preesnce into his presence ,page #agf stangers to the future strangers to the future ,page #agf to sayby what means they to say by what means they