our existence. And, generally, I found, the further we were from our expectations, the more flowery and brilliant were our pictures. They had to carn their bread, as I had, all but the one who took care of our mother. We all contributed in proper shares for the maintenance of both. Ah! Nellie, it is such a grand feeling that of helping a parent! I would not have minded breaking stones on the road for my mother, though there was nothing remarkable about her; and, Nellie, she took snuff. Not romantic that, was it? Child, do not laugh at me. I cannot help my oddities. Well, one sister married, and is now a widow. My mother died. The charm of working so hard was broken then. I did not care to endure all my bothers for my own benefit. Luckily we were left that money. Luckily I thought. Now you shall hear. In the height of my delight, that I need no longer be a governess, might have this longtalked-of home in Cloudland, I forgot to thank God. Consequently the new home turned out very cloudy indeed. We four sisters had been so long separated, we had not an idea, not a wish in common. We all thought we had a

That was a Godearning one's bread There is nothing

right to be head, and yet we did not know, any one of us, how to act as head. Having always been dependent and under orders, we were quite unable to know what to do with our unusual liberty and freedom, and yet ready to resent the slightest infringement thereof. So we quarrelled. We had nothing else to do. like punishment, the curse of by the sweat of one's brow. like work-so I am going out again. If I am to be scolded, and ordered about, and put on, I think I can endure it better from strangers than from my own kith and kin. Now, good byedon't grow discontented or unthankful, otherwise you will find yourself in my predicament, namely, thankful that governesses are a necessary of life."

CHAPTER XXII.

"Can it be lightning? Can it be thunder?
For a light is all round the lurid Hall
That reddens, and reddens the windows all;
And far away you may hear the fall,

As of rafter and boulder splitting asunder."
OWEN MEREDITH.

PERHAPS it was as Miss Seymour said. The return to my home had brought vividly before me the experience of eleven years, and I lost heart in thinking I might have to pass eleven more such years.

"Well," said I to myself, sitting up in the beech throne, "I will ask Aunt Scann to come and see us. She will give me a lesson in gratitude."

Aunt Scann was highly charmed.

That best and most excellent of brothers (who appeared to others the embodification of dried bones, crude vinegar, and very old musstard) was obliged to leave home on particular business. It would be highly satisfactory to Aunt Scann to come and taste country air, though, for her part, if she was in my situation, she should miss all the delights of London, so charming to youthful minds, exceedingly. Nevertheless it was a most apropos invitation, as, taking advantage of their absence, the servants would very properly take the opportunity of their situation of having nothing to do to clean up, &c. &c. To which I could not help remarking to myself, if I was in their situation, I would see the utter futility of the attempt.

It was indeed a very great pleasure to see the thorough enjoyment with which Aunt Scann inhaled the country air and summer blessings. She admired everything, and was never wearied of admiring the same thing a dozen times over.

"That tree, that old beech tree, Nevey, now, if I was in your situation, I would walk round it, just to have an idea of its beauty. My brother would be charmed with that tree.”

My guardian smiled. He knew his uncle very well. I interpreted the smile into a thought, "He would be charmed to cut it down, and make it into money.'

"And your daisies-never did I see such daisies and dandelions. Though in their situation, of course, they can do nothing but grow. Mrs. Forest, my dear ma'am, allow me to place you in my situation. Did you ever see such an expanse of gorgeous beauty?"

The poor old lady was incapacitated from seeing much beyond her nose; and, if she had, the scene of gorgeous beauty consisted of a little hay field, just about to be cut, seven acres in extent, gay with summer flowers.

"Everything seems to grow in the same luxuriance, Nevey. I declare yesterday I saw the most magnificent nettles I ever beheld in my life."

"I hope Nellie will have them cut down.”

"I am sure I trust not. Nettles are weeds certainly; but these were so superb, in a beautiful situation, exposed to the full blaze of the sun. And what a sun it is here, my dear Nevey!"