with the interruptions of his magazine and news-own fireside, though he was, in the shabby parpaper articles, you know it will be three or lor, and with his wife and daughters for sole four months, at least." audience, Mr. Dynevor was as brilliant, as witty, "Well, dear mother," said Anne, with an ef- and as polished, as if he had been the centre of fort at cheerfulness, "it will settle all our diffi- an eager and admiring circle at House, or culties when it is finished. Two hundred and the fifty pounds will more than pay all these miser- It is a rare thing for a man who is noted for able debts, and so smooth away all your annoy-"success" in society-his aptness at repartee, ances. Let us look forward to it." and his graceful flow of conversation-to bring

Club.

"It is all very well for you," murmured Mrs. the same good gifts to his own domestic hearth. Dynevor, fretfully, "who haven't the wretched- And it must be confessed that Mr. Dynevor did ness of these things to put up with. You may not often prove an exception to the general rule. not mind, perhaps. I do. I am sick and tired But his heart was unusually light this evening. of looking forward' as you call it." Despite Anne's apprehensions, he felt himself Nothing chafed Mrs. Dynevor more, when she singularly well, and it made him happy to have was on the subject of her troubles, than for any his eldest girl at home with him again. Besides, one to turn their bright side outermost, and try he had finished his article, which had lain heavy to give her comfort by proving that things were on his mind for the last fortnight. He was willnot so bad as she assumed them to be. She ing to look at everything en couleur de rose, and was one of those women who like to be condoled not even his wife's anxious face, and the longwith, better than to be consoled; and Anne, drawn sighs with which she interspersed his with all her womanly tact, often offended, be- playful talk, succeeded in clouding his gaiety. cause she did not quite understand this convo- Anne was deeply grateful to mark this. Nev ertheless, she longed to be alone with her father, "Poor Helen, too," resumed the complaining if only for a few minutes-she had so much to voice; "she has scarcely a gown fit to appear ask him. But no opportunity occurred; only, in. So beautiful as she is, it breaks my heart as she bade him good-night, while he clasped to see her in that shabby brown merino day after her in his arms, after the fashion which had day. To-morrow night she is going to Mrs. never changed since she was a tiny child, she Lumley's, and she has no better dress than that whispered her earnest question:-"Was he old white one, which everybody must know and quite well; really quite well ?"

lution in her mother's character.

be quite sick of by this time."

“Anne, darling, I feel young again!" was his "White muslin always looks much the same," energetic reply; "all my pains and aches both said Anne, "and Helen looks lovelier in white of mind and body seem to have departed. than in anything. And I shall take pains to iron Peace and content have returned, hand in hand her dress to-morrow morning. You will see with Sister Anne."

how fresh and snowy it will look."

Mrs. Dynevor submitted to be solaced by this consideration, more especially as Helen herself

CHAPTER II.- A MORNING AT HOME.

entered the room at this moment, and the mo- Anne was usually the earliest riser in the house. ther's lamentations were always reserved for The morning after her return, she was awakened Anne alone; both parents seeming instinctively by the vehement ringing of the bell, which, to avoid clouding the younger girl's bright tem- hanging at Mrs. Dynevor's bedside, communi perament with the cares and anxieties which cated with the sleeping-room of the servant, and pressed on themselves. which that lady made a practice of ringing at

Helen seated herself beside Anne, and passed frequent intervals, every morning, for an hour or her arm round her. more after six o'clock. Rebecca had become "At work already? Dear Anne, how incor- inured to the alarm, and slept peacefully rigibly industrious you are! You make me feel through it all, till it suited her pleasure to rise; quite ashamed of myself." but Anne was more easily aroused. She dressed, "There is no need for that feeling to continue and leaving Helen still sleeping, stole softly long," said Anne, smilingly proffering her an down the stairs, succeeded in effectually disturb unmended stocking and a darning needle. Hel- ing the slumbrous Rebecca, and then entered en took them with a good grace enough, and the parlor.

began to work with a very determined air, al- The empty grate, the dusty tables, and the though it was easy to see how totally unaccus- general litter, lost nothing of their discomfort, tomed were her fingers to such homely labors. viewed in the dusky twilight of the early mornWhen Mr. Dynevor awoke, he declared him- ing. But Anne did not purpose only to look at self quite abashed by his companions' industry. all this, she was soon busily employed in amendHe wondered the very atmosphere had not ing it so far as was possible. She gathered to awakened him from his lazy slumber, he said. gether the various papers scattered about, reHe was in high spirits, and presently began to stored the books to their places on the shelves, talk in his own peculiarly happy style. At his and summarily ejected the children's toys from

the mantel-piece and the side-table. Things Don't you remember, you brought the root from presented a far more prepossessing appearance H- last year ?"

by the time that Rebecca had lighted the fire, "Yes, dear, I remember," said Anne, rather and laid the cloth for breakfast. thoughtfully, kissing her.

Anne possessed that happy gift which, though "Won't you come and look at it ?" went on essentially womanly, is not universally found in the little girl.

women; a gift which may be called that of "Ah, do come out in the garden for a mingraceful order. It is a rare thing for neatness ute," added Albert. I want to show you my of arrangement to look elegant, and some peo- tortoise; he's supposed to have grown slightly ple-men invariably-if they take it into their this winter. heads to be orderly, are sure to be only awk- The two pulled her away with them. Helen, ward and precise. But, under the auspices of idly standing by the window, watched them all. women like Anne Dynevor, tidiness becomes Albert and Grace had each a hand of their elder raised to the dignity of something like a fine art. sister, and essayed to draw her different ways. By the time the family assembled in it, the Her clear cheerful voice was heard in laughing sitting-room had acquired an air of comfort, and remonstrance-then she was led, first to the even of refinement. Anne had brought with snowdrop, over which she stooped very low, ner from H, besides a great bunch of ever- Helen thought, for some minutes. greens and early garden blossoms, some prim- In truth, there were recollections connected roses and violets, with such other wild flowers with the little flower-root, which made it rather as the season afforded. These she disposed hard for Anne to regard it, and its solitary, about the apartment in various vases, glasses, puny, and sullied blossom, with equanimity. and jars; and flowers-wild flowers, especially, Last year she had looked on it growing in all -lend poetry to all their environments. A few the stillness and wildness of its native copsedaisies scattered on a table, invest it with a grace its drooping whiteness, its purity most absolute, that the costliest burden would fail to bestow. shining forth from among the tangled grass and Mr. Dynevor gave a pleased glance at Anne's brushwood, like an incarnate promise of the arrangements, and called her "the good fairy," spring. And Anne loved the country and its a pet name he had for her; while even Mrs. myriad associations, that are pure as childhood, Dynevor's face brightened at the improved as- and holy as prayers-loved it with a reality and pect of the usually dull little room. depth that brought with it its own penalty of

"I declare Anne, everything looks quite pangs and yearnings. Perhaps there might be cheerful," was her encouraging remark; "and other reasons why the particular scenes from these flowers are delicious. From the Grants' which the snowdrop had been brought should garden, I suppose? I remember it. Won't be dear and sacred in Anne's eye's; but, if not, they be very sorry to leave the old place?" there was surely reason enough for a passing "In one sense, yes," said Anne, as she busied melancholy in the contrast of the different enherself in making the tea, cutting bread-and- vironments of the poor flower then, and now. butter, and the various duties of the breakfast- The back-garden of a London house, in place of table. 66 They will naturally regret leaving their the wooded glen-yellow fogs for dew, and old home, but it will be less painful, they think, showers of soot for the fresh rain new from hea to go into new scenes and associations when ven. Poor little snowdrop!

Edward leaves them. And, besides, the sea But Anne, after awhile, checked her busy air will greatly benefit Mrs. Grant's health." thoughts, and turning a serene face to the chil"What in the world induces young Grant to dren, suffered them to take her to inspect the leave England at all ?" proceeded Mrs. Dyne- various objects of note and interest in the mag vor, in a ruminating tone. "I should have nificent demesne of twelve feet by twelve. And thought his prospects were pretty well assured, when she returned to the parlor, she was talking without his going to Madras; and it must be merrily with Albert and Grace, her quiet cheersuch a trial to his mother. Doesn't she feel it fulness being precisely of that order which is not, very much, Anne ?" and cannot be, assumed to hide an inward de"I fear so," Anne answered, while an expres- pression. Indeed, Anne's mind was far too sion of keen pain passed over her face. Her healthfully active for her to be in danger of fallmother's attention was fully occupied by her ing into that disease of habit more than circumown speculations; but Helen's eyes dwelt on stance-low spirits. There was in her home, her sister's face, with an earnest, searching look, and always had been since she could remember, that was somewhat trying to the conscious object an incessant demand upon both her physical and of her gaze. Gladly enough, Anne turned to mental energies; the rest looked to her without the children who just then entered the room, recognizing it to themselves, for help, advice, with the eclat usually attendant on the motions consolation and encouragement. It was a good of individuals of their age and temperament. school, though a hard one, in which to learn, "Anne, there's a snowdrop just come out in not only abnegation, but comparative forgetfulthe garden," cried Grace; "a real snowdrop!ness of self-and Anne had been no idle scholar.

Unselfishness in her had attained its completing "Never mind," said Anne gently- the grace of unconsciousness. It was only on rare merest breath of a sigh being lost in the words. occasions, such as the present, for instance, Her father gave her a quick glance, then rose when, after a temporary respite, she returned from the table with a subdued whistle, peculiar again to the cares and annoyances of the daily to him, when, without being positively cross, he life, that she felt the extent of the continual was a little vexed or a little puzzled. But trouble that weighed down her spirit. Anne's loving kiss cleared away the thin cloud, The very meannesses and trivialities of these and he left the room to prepare for his walk in cares it is that makes them so hard to bear. To high good humor. When he had gone, Helen be heroic in great things, is an exercise of pow-came to her sister's side with many caresses. er which appeals pleasurably to our self-esteem; Mrs. Dynevor began a somewhat complaining but in the encountering and enduring the small comment. trials of life, there is no such attendant flatter

"I can't think how your father can be so'

ing unction to the vanity. In vanquishing such unreasonable as to wish you to go out again to difficulties, we destroy all trace of their ever day, after you've been away from home nearly: having existed-almost even to ourselves. The two weeks. He must know how much there is workers of small services are recognized only for you to do in the house. Men are so when they are missed. thougtless, and your father never considers any Breakfast passed cheerily. In honor, per- one's comfort but haps, of Anne's reäpearance among them, Mr. "Hush, dear mamma!" entreated Anne, Dynevor, on this particular morning, actually with a look at the children, which was happily abjured the "Times," bandied jests with his successful in stopping for the time the conjugal daughters, puzzled the children with riddles, complainings. "You know," she continued, and generally made himself sociable. after a moments pause, seeing how Albert and

"Helen, my dear, I hope your admirers won't Grace were staring with perfectly aroused attenbe in too great force to-night. I'm not a Her- tion, after the habit of small people (and indeed cules-and you see, carrying pistols or other great ones too) when something is going on, of weapons of defence might be remarkable. which it were advisable they should rest ignoWhat do you think?-We're going to Mrs. rant—" you know papa so seldom gives himself Lumley's," he very superfluously explained to a holiday."

Anne. "Mrs. Lumley has a taste for beauty as "And he knows how Anne delights in pio well as for talent, and begged me to bring my tures," addded Helen generously, while a tranlovely daughter with me to-night. Do you feel sient pang of conscience made her blush as she insulted Anne, at Helen's immediate appropria- spoke. "Dear Anne, it is quite too bad for tion of the invite ?" me to keep you from such an enjoyment. Go

"That reminds me," broke in Mrs. Dynevor, with papa, and leave my dress to chance-or solemnly setting down her tea-cup. "Run to Rebecca."

down-stairs, Grace, and tell Rebecca not to for- "Rebecca! nonsense! when to day is Friget to put down the irons directly after break-day," cried her mother, quickly. But Anne's fast." She nodded her head significantly at quiet smile reässured her.

Anne. "It's as well to take time by the fore- "Rest easy, dear Helen. I am even glad to lock, you know, my dear." stay at home. Now, little Grace, prepare your "What's that? What is Anne to do?" lessons, and bring your writing book that I may cried Mr. Dynevor, with a look of annoyance. set you a copy before I go down stairs." "I wanted her to go with me to F- -'s studio Grace vanished obediently. Mrs. Dynevor this morning. He asked me to look at his new appeased, seated herself by the window with her picture, and Avarne says it is very fine. Anne basket of stockings, and Helen took up the would like it-wouldn't you dear?" newspaper and cast her eyes over it with an air But Anne saw her mother's and Helen's of more idleness than curiosity. Albert had simultaneous look of uneasiness. She knew that got a pen-knife, and was thoughtfully chipping ance out with her father, the time of her return away small bits of the book-shelf nearest to him. was a matter of entire uncertainty. And poor Anne busied herself about the room, while the Helen's muslin dress- She did not hesitate. servant cleared the breakfast-table. "Not this morning, papa, if you please. I have many things to do and I am a little tired, besides "--which was true enough, though she was well aware that staying at home would involve far more fatigue than the proposed visit"And I would rather not go out to day?"

"Tiresome. I must go this morning, if at all. To-morrow I set to work again-at the book. So, if you won't come now, you'll lose the chance altogether."

This operation finished, Mrs. Dynevor laid her work on her lap for a minute, and cast a searching, comprehensive glance round the apartment."

"Did you ever see any place get so dirty as this house?" she began, pathetically. "Do look at the paint, Anne. Would any one believe it was thoroughly cleaned three weeks ago? And there are the marks of Rebecca's fingers on the door again! Really it's enough to tire the paItience of a saint."

1

"We must have another grand cleaning pressions of displeasure with which he strode soon," said Anne, from the interior of the store-out of the house.

closet, wherein she was arranging the accumu- Anne signed deeply, as she closed the door of lated disorder of her twelve day's absence. the little drawing-room upon herself and Al"Why, dear mamma? how is this," she pres- bert. The latter's face wore an expression of ently exclaimed. "Here are too large parcels mingled compunction and defiance-the first of rice, both opened, and the jar half full be- feeling awakened by the sigh, for he loved and sides." instinctively respected his sister Anne; the "It was Helen's mistake," explained her other, alas, still directed to his mother, who, by mother. "She looked in the wrong jar, and some unhappy fatality, continually aroused the then she ordered twelve pounds at Gray's, and worst half of the boy's thoughtless and headI ordered twelve pounds at Thomson's. It strong, but not ungenerous nature. was a pity, but it doesn't much signify." "No," assented Anne laughing, "it will only insure the constant recurrence of rice pudding at dinner for some weeks to come. You won't object to that, Albert, will you?

"Oh, won't I though ?" answered the boy, grimly; "you don't know what a treat we've had in that way already. Helen's rice puddings are enough to sicken any one of them for a year.' "It isn't kind to say that," Anne observed, with grave emphasis.

But her rebuke was lost in the flood of Mrs. Dynevor's indignation, which poured itself out on the apparently unconcerned offender.

"Albert, do you remember what you promised me before I left home?"

"nor to

No reply; but the head jerked away from her gaze in a kind of forced sullenness. "You are not used to disregard your word," Anne continued, after a pause, "I didn't," he broke in. "All the time you were away, whenever she began to aggravate me, I ran out of the room. It was hard enough sometimes, I can tell you, but this morning, somehow, I forgot. I wish I hadn't, for I don't like to vex you, Anne," he said, rapidly softening

"Nor to vex any one, I hope," replied his sister gently, "especially your mother, Albert. "How dare you, impudent, complaining Never forget that the same disrespect, which is boy?" ran the peroration of her harangue; you a grave fault towards anybody, becomes a sin are always finding fault-always telling stories when directed against her." about your sister."

"But when she is so dreadfully cross, and

"It's as true as I stand here," persisted Al- without any reason at all, and takes hold of me bert, with a vigorous chip at the book-shelf. and shakes me-it's horrid," pronounced the "Leave the room instantly, sir! And look boy; "and I can't bear it, sister Anne. I know -look what he has been doing!" cried the that nobody could-you couldn't even—that is, mother, rising to a crisis of tragic passion- he added, as an after-thought, “ you couldn't if "cutting away with that knife. Give it to me- you were a fellow like me." give it to me I say." She shook the boy with violence, while he still grasped his knife doggedly, an ominous flush rising to his face.

Anne came forward, as it was her wont to do on the too frequent occasions when the injudicious mother essayed to cope with Albert, wilful and high-spirited boy as he was.

"Dear mamma, let me take him away. Come with me Albert."

"I know it is far more difficult to a temper such as yours" Anne said; "but it is not im possible, Albert, and once accomplished, the glory is the greater. Only the other day, you were telling me how you should like to be a hero, if you only had the opportunity-now here it is before you."

Albert shook his head incredulously, with a half smile up in her face.

"Ah, Anne, that won't do; who ever hears about such heroes ?"

"You always take his part, Anne. You do all you can to encourage him in his bad behavior." (Anne was silent, but kept firm hold of "Then I am to suppose it is the reputation, her brother's arm.) He is the plague of my and not the reality of heroism, of which you life. I don't know what will become of him. are ambitious? That is rather like grasping He is altogether beyond my management." She at the shadow and rejecting the substance, is it began to sob, and to loosen her grasp of the not ?"

young rebel. So many troubles as I have, "It's all very well for women to be angels completely weighed down with cares as I am, said Albert evasively, "but it's out of a man's, and to see my own children adding to them in of a boy's line altogether. Well I mean," he this way!" A burst of tears ended it, and she continued, seeing his sister's look of serious flung herself into the nearest chair. proof, "angels in that sort of thing."

The boy began to look uncomfortable, and "Nay, Albert, you know better-you will less sullen and impracticable at the sight of his own it by and by when we have another talk mother's tears. Anne was leading him out at about these matters. Meanwhile try, do try to the door, just as Mr. Dynevor entered. She be more that which you know I would love to could hear his exclamation of annoyance, his see you, to mamma-and to Helen. How is it angry remonstrance, and finally the bitter ex- that you always speak so unkindly of Helen?"

66

"Oh! mamma makes such a fuss over her, here, when we're all wanting you? You really and she's always praised and flattered, and should be more thoughtful. Rebecca has made made believe she's so perfect. I'm the only everything right for you down stairs." one who ever tells her the truth about herself," The pudding to make? coffee to roast ?" declared Albert, with an air of importance asked poor Anne, confused for the moment, Anne could scarcely resist smiling at; "I can in a manner very unusual to her clear and ready see her faults plain enough. Now, if they were faculties. to praise you, Anne, there'd be some sense in "You can't have forgotten," said Mrs. Dyne it; but she never says a word about—”

"Hush, Albert, I should be sorry to have so severe an inquisitor over my shortcomings as you are to poor Helen's. Remember how much need there is for all of us to be lenient to each ather's failings."

you see.

vor indignantly, "your sister's muslin dress. Poor Helen might have spared her sorrow in thinking that you staid at home on purpose."

Oh, mamma-dont-don't!" was all Anne could plead, the tears coming quickly to her eyes, as they had a habit of doing a habit con"Oh Anne, I'm very sorry; I'm always very tinued from early childhood even until now— sorry when I've done anything wrong; espe- at the stroke of unkindness. But Mrs. Dynecially when you show me it's wrong. Other vor was more thoroughly out of humor than people poke it at one so, it makes a boy savage, was common to her; her faults, both of temper But upon my word, I'll try and be and otherwise, generally being more negative milder for the future." than positive, and arising more from weakness He put his arms round her neck in a boy's of control than any particular strength of feelrough but earnest embrace, which Anne cor- ing. She turned away, muttering fretfully to dially returned, saying nothing of her tumbled herself; and Anne, after lingering a moment in the hope of some token of relenting, forced "There! and now I'm off to school. I've back her tears, tried to think of something half killed you, I daresay, and spoiled your cheerful, and was leaving the room. But little things besides. If it had been Helen, shouldn't Grace, her arms full of books, encountered her I have caught it? I beg your pardon, Anne," at the door. he called out, half-laughing, half-remorseful, as he dashed out of the room; "But no harm's I done, you know, since only you heard it."

hair and crushed collar.

66

"Sister Anne, will you set me my copy? And nearly know my lessons. Will you?" "You mustn't come into this room, child," Anne, left alone, walked slowly to the win- cried Mrs. Dynevor. Carry all that litter dow, and looked out upon the dismal street. It away into the parlor, or somewhere. Anne did not much signify that the prospect was can't attend to you now." very dreary, and sunless and smoky, for her "Presently, dear," added Anne, "I will come thoughts were otherwhere. She leaned her to you. In the meantime, cannot you practise? head upon her hand, and for a few minutes a -or Helen will give you a music lesson.” feeling of great cheerlessness came over her. "Music lesson, indeed! Helen has her own Remembrance of the continual striving after music to practice for this evening. All the time something good and beautiful which her life you have been away, Anne, the poor child has had been ever since she awoke to the keen hardly played a note. She may be allowed the sense of true goodness and beauty, smote her opportunity now, I hope. Grace, do not get in painfully, almost despairingly. It seemed, the way so," fractiously pursued the mother, as looking back upon it, as if it had been such a she left the room, pushing aside the wide-eyed fruitless struggle-so little progress had been little girl, who still stood in the doorway, bendmade-so little real good had been effected; ing under her literary burden. the same petty griefs and ignoble trials were, as Anne staid behind, to say a few soothing ever, constantly recurring-and she could not words to Grace, who was a tender-hearted little Bee that they were either made more beautiful thing, and looked more than half ready to cry or endured more patiently than they had been under the double provocation of the unexpected years ago. There was something so degrading check to her carefully-prepared lessons, and her in this perpetual clashing of tempers and of mamma's asperity.

wills: it seemed as if, in the constant fight with "There, my pet, go up into my room, and circumstances which had always been the un- arrange your books on the little table; and you lucky fate of the family, they had lost sight of the may take down my Goldsmith's Animated far more vital necessity of waging battle against Nature,' from the book shelf, and read that till the less worthy part of their own natures. I come to you."

"They should be very grateful who have Grace tripped away, all bright again, and time to endeavor after perfectness," thought Anne went down stairs, perceiving, as she Anne, sadly, as she turned away from the win- passed the open door of the parlor, Helen still dow. Her mother entered the room at the lounging in her father's easy chair, and yawning instant. over the newspaper. The elder sister, loving as "Dear me, Anne, why did you hide yourself she was, was too right-minded not to feel a pang