Margaret Capel, v. 2 of 3

aze, above, a

ts, what magic c

orest, mountai

es that harmon

stant torrent's

e volumed cata

ng rocks that shock

RO

rd into the sea, while the intermediate shore rises and falls in gentle and uncertain undulations. For many miles inland, this irregular character of the surface continues. The ground rises and falls so suddenly, that in many places the trees w

trickle from the shade of deep thickets, or sparkle in stony cells o

r's view is bounded by high banks, overgrown with trees and tangled brushwood; now the ground breaks away in such a gradual slope, tha

ltivated plot of garden ground in the front: while the side of the house stood so near the edge of a sudden descent in the cliff, that nothing but a

e horizon, and a long pathway of golden light fell upon the ca

usion of colours; while the lengthened rays threaded their brilliant way among the slender stems of the trees, and

bited only by fairies or other such fragile creatures of the imagination. Such, however, were not the denizens of the cottage by the hill-side; but a comely old lady in an antique cap and black silk gown, who had

rapidly advancing to the house. The old woman retreated to the porch; the carriage dr

see you!" exclaimed the young lady, thr

nurse, endeavouring to execute a curtsey to the elder l

rs. Fitzpatrick, the elder of the two ladies, "Avelin

omfortable every thing looks! Nurse, come in. Mamma, y

here tea was awaiting them in all the English delicacy of that meal. "Aveline

d with her journey, is she not? I hope she means to eat so

rawing to the table. "I should be ashamed that anybody but

tone. "She is come back in every respect, nurse, better than sh

g earnestly at the young lady. "Ther

only country to enjoy and improve life. If it were not that thi

," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick, looki

a great relief to go on to Milan, there is someth

our life there;" said Mrs. F

r nurse, you do look so handsome. You cannot think how ugly the old Italian women are, with their thick brown skins and deep w

ancy, Miss Aveline, the gentlemen must be much changed

r. "It is only safe to tell little children they are

ss Aveline," said the old wom

ng Mrs. Wood at the post-office? And Harding, the carpenter-and the fisherman's family on the other side of the cliff? Is little Jane as pretty as ever? Of course not

er, the old woman kept her eyes fixed on her

igue, the blue veins had risen over them in every direction. The colour in her cheeks was fixed like a bright spot of rouge under ea

ned silent, fixing her gaze upon the old woman's countenance with an intensity that she could hardly sustain. It seemed as i

all these good people are not dead, that you kee

eauty of the fisherman's children; though I always see three or four curly heads round his door when I pass. He lost one poor little one in the winter wit

buy some prawns for breakfast; and then I shall see what the children would like as a present. I am always so glad when people are

rse, "that you give away a great deal

rick, "you had better not sit up later to-night. You have had a long

lessly round the room, looking at all the trifling ornaments with which it was strewn. Mrs. Grant noticed with pain that her

Mamma," said Aveline, comin

to Mrs. Grant, "when she is over fatigued. She always did from a child." "Come, Miss Aveline," said Mrs. Grant, "I am going home in a minut

poults and the guinea fowls that I may not hear? But, good night, nurse; you will have me plaguing you early to-morrow, at your cottage, and pillaging your straw

s. Fitzpatrick, in a tone that seemed as if

Mrs. Grant. "How do you think she

d woman with rather an unsteady voice; "I should li

Grant, and when a girl grows very tall, she naturally

rant cheerfully, "young girl

d we had a desponding kind of a man as our medical attendant. There is nothing so unfavourable to an invalid a

l man's opinion was an unfavourable one. She thought it a bad sign that he

hild was in a decline; and when she was at the worst, they took fright, and ordered us out of our lodgings at a moment's notice. Aveline was too ill to travel-our hostess was peremptory-and I knew well that no other house would take us in. It was then that a country-woman of ours, a Mrs. Maxw

"where, at least, we do not turn sick people into the streets, the Pagans

Mrs. Grant took

eighbouring families she numbered as few friends. She had in early life, lived much in the world; but having withdrawn into solitude, the world had paid her the usual compliment, and forgotten her existence. She had lost several children when very young

Mr. Lindsay may point out some means that would escape me. He is so clever, and has known he

thrown aside and forgotten, with the carelessness of youth. These she gathered up and folded together with that indescribable air of tenderness, which, in a mot