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'No, certainly; neither were you displeased when Mrs. Harmer said so many kind things to you, this afternoon. You will be obliged to confess, that you are no more proof against flattery than I am."

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'Very true, Elizabeth. We are alike in wishing for praise; but we differ respecting the sort of things we like to be praised for."

"I understand. For instance, I am pleased, when my playing and singing are admired-you, when your abilities and good qualities are appreciated. Now don't you perceive, Caroline, this proves the truth of what I said long ago, that our tastes and characters depend upon what we see and hear at home. My parents wish me to be elegant and accomplished, that I may be admired in society. This is their ambition for me."

"But, Elizabeth, do you believe that the people who flattered you this evening, truly love and admire you?"

"Yes, I suppose so."

"If you should become poor, would they still do so?"
"I do not choose to imagine any thing so disagreeable."
"Do answer me, Elizabeth!"

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Candidly, then, I believe they would care very little about me; nay, perhaps, they might discover that I had always been pert, conceited and vain."

I thought of Sir Edward, and was silent. She resumed, "Now I will tell you what your parents wish you to be, shall

I ?"

"If

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you please."

'Pious, useful, and clever. Am I not right ?"

"Yes, I believe you are."

"Pious, that you may have the wish to be useful; and clever, that you may have the power to be more useful."

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'Very true. But how do you know this, Elizabeth ?"

"I learnt it from yourself; from what you have told me respecting your home and friends; for thoughtless as I am, and fond of pleasure, I have serious thoughts sometimes, though they soon pass away. I know the reason of this, also," she added, thoughtfully, "it is, because my inclinations are evil. I have never forgotten the conversation we had the day I ate the

seeds. You perceive, Caroline, I have knowledge, but not wisdom, as Arthur says. However, I am nearly two years younger than yourself, and who knows how much I may improve in two years, especially if I remain with you and that new friend of yours, Miss Selwyn, of whom I am jealous already. Only think what a life I shall lead, with two such staid, serious young ladies! You positively must not grudge my success this evening,-to morrow your turn will commence." Our conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of Miss Martyn, who was curious to learn how the party went off. Elizabeth was soon engaged in an animated description of the amusements of the evening, and it would have been difficult to decide whether the speaker or listener derived 'most pleasure from the narration.

"Pray, did Miss Martyn educate you before you were sent to school?" I asked, when that young lady had retired.

Elizabeth smiled archly. ‘Ah, I know what you are thinking of, Caroline. No, Miss Martyn was never my governess. Frivolous as I am, I should have been more so with such a teacher. She is fitter for a milliner or lady's maid than for a governess; and mamma finds her useful in many ways. She is kind to Emma, whose delicate health will not admit of much study, and the dear child is too serious and thoughtful to be spoiled even by Miss Martyn."

According to appointment, Elizabeth and myself returned to the Manor House on the following day. There I had the pleasure of meeting Anna Selwyn, and from this period I may date a new era in my education. To the society and example of this engaging and pious young person, I was indebted for much of the benefit I received, as well as the happiness I enjoyed, during the two years we remained together at school. Having been made sensible of the sinful nature of my long indulged feelings of insubordination to the authority of my teacher, and being also truly grateful to my god-mother for her generosity towards me, I was the more easily influenced by this excellent friend, who possessed, in an eminent degree, the art of looking on the bright side of the daily occurrences which constitute the ordinary routine of life. Hopeful and buoyant in spirit, trials and difficulties dwindled into insignificancies before the magic of

her innocent and kindly ridicule; for she never overstepped the bounds of good breeding, being quick to sympathise in the feelings of others, and careful not to wound them. Often when I fancied myself aggrieved, did her playful but delicate raillery so far turn the current of my thoughts and opinions, as to avert what otherwise would have proved an open rupture.

Although I considered myself pledged to set an example of obedience and submission to my schoolfellows, there was no real confidence or cordiality between Miss Charlotte and myself. During the last year I was with Miss Percy, I rendered some assistance in teaching, taking the place of what is called a governess or articled pupil. This is a position which may prove irksome or agreeable, according to the system pursued in the school, and the disposition of the superior teachers. It may be regarded either as a post of honor, or a mark of degradation. Unhappily, Miss Charlotte chose to consider it in the latter point of view. It was a happy circumstance for me, that I possessed such a friend and counsellor as Anna Selwyn proved herself during this my year of trial. Her influence with our schoolfellows, which was considerable, joined to the respectful tenderness of her behaviour towards me, did much to counteract the impression which Miss Charlotte's manner conveyed, namely, that I occupied an inferior position compared with the other pupils, and was little more than an upper servant.

But I must not here omit to state, that Elizabeth Dalton left the Manor House about three months after my visit to London. Her departure was evidently unexpected both by Miss Percy and herself, neither did the reason of the sudden removal transpire amongst her companions. A school is a little world in itself-pupils come and go; changes are constantly taking place. The gaps made in the small community are filled up, and the once favorite companion is forgotten or replaced. So it was with Elizabeth. She grieved much at parting, and promised to write to me frequently. This promise she never fulfilled, and I felt averse to commence a correspondence where the feeling of equality was not reciprocated. Thus our intimacy ended, at least for a time. Perhaps my affection for Anna, and the similarity of our tastes and opinions, tended to reconcile me to Elizabeth's departure; for although very unlike in natural

dispositions, there was true congeniality of sentiment between Miss Selwyn and myself. Our intimacy had likewise the cordial sanction of our respective parents, and I was occasionally permitted to accompany my friend to her father's house. But my acquaintance with this young lady, not only proved useful in securing for me the respectful consideration of my schoolfellows; it had also a restraining influence and prevented my committing serious faults.

My situation at this time was one involving responsibility. It had become my duty to guard the interests of my kind benefactor and governess, not simply by abstaining from joining in any infringement of the regulation, of the school, but by putting an entire stop to what I knew to be wrong, or in opposition to expressed rules. This was to me a difficult and unpleasant task. Many of the girls were my equals in point of age and attainments.-I had long been their associate, and valued their good opinion. I was fond of popularity, and above all things dreaded finding myself in a position where my duty and inclination might prove at variance.

This trial soon came, and would probably have ended in the betrayal of my trust, had it not been for the simple-minded integrity and decision of Anna Selwyn. This brave girl first endeavored to combat my scruples-then appealed to my sense of right—but finding I still hesitated to do what was required of me, she boldly confronted the offenders, accused them of their fault, and after explaining to them the position in which I was placed, she ended by saying

"And now, Caroline, either you or I must tell Miss Percy what has happened. It is plainly your duty; but if you still shrink from performing it, nothing shall prevent my turning informer. Although I am aware that my doing so, will involve you in temporary disgrace, it will save you from the great sin of compromising your truthfulness and becoming a party to deceit."

I was ungracious enough to repent what I called Anna's improper interference, and to upbraid her with unkindness, but finding I had no alternative, I most unwillingly sought an interview with my governess, and gained no small credit for what Miss Percy deemed my conscientious discharge of duty.

I have said that my last year at school was one of difficulties and trials; it was also one of bright hopes and anticipations. To return to my father's house, no longer as a mere child under restraint, but as a free and independent member of that beloved community, called home!-No longer as a guest, when the weeks of the vacation flew away like days, and the first days of absence lengthened into weeks! To be really settled there, able to carry out the plans formed in secret, and nursed, oh how carefully through long months, nay years, of preparation for the busy scenes of active life! Such were the hopes I had fostered-such the anticipations I had fondly indulged. Were they realised? The next chapter must determine.

THE MOUNT.

Newcastle under Lyme.

[To be continued.]

THE WAY TO THE GIFT.

S. A.

I WAS walking thoughtfully and deliberately home, having occupied a much longer time upon the road than I should have done had any business required my return earlier, and had just reached the foot of the hill mentioned in the preceding paper, when I heard a vehicle, dragging slowly along behind me, the horse having began to feel that he was upon rising ground.

Looking round, I was not a little surprised to see that it was my old friend the major, who, what with my own loitering and the comparatively rapid rate at which he had proceeded, came up with me in a few seconds.

I expressed surprise at his early return, but he told me he was fearful of staying till the evening on account of his wife's health. But lest the reader should be unnecessarily alarmed by this statement, it may be here remarked that few persons enjoyed so large a share of this blessing as Mrs. Goode. Her old prejudices with respect to the necessity of keeping not only clear of drafts, but of shutting out the genial influences of fresh air, never having left her entirely, though she was perhaps improving in this respect, as the major's short temper made it desirable that she should do.

"Well," said Goode, after a few remarks irrelevant to our