Countess Kate

the pillow, she saw the drops on the window shining in the su

funny medley; and the first thing she exclaimed was, "Oh!

de

been frightened, and the water-lilies broken. Oh! you can't think how nasty their great coiling stems were-

la Poer, smiling; "but as to the lilies, I should be glad to b

rribly angry. Now I wouldn't mind that, only that I've spoilt

that Lady de la Poer came and gave her

ery happy with their father,

ough it was a fine occasion for one of the speeches she could have composed in private, al

rrid, if a certain little girl wo

th emphasis. "Uncle Wardour says he never saw

calmly, "when clever people take to being s

" cried Kate ha

he most of yourself, you could be very sensible, and hinder your

for the first time she heard she was not absolutely foolish. She began to argue, "I was naughty, I know, to teaze Mary; and Mary

ying to show how silly

ens me so, I don't know what to do; and Aunt Jane

y bad health; but you are young and strong, a

y about lightning.

ometimes allow His lightnings to fall; but I do not think it can be quite the thoug

hat. It is that the glare-coming no one knows when

but that you may be guarded from the fright that makes you forget to watch yourself, and so renders

w," sa

said Lady de la Poer, with a pleasant smile, just as a knock came to the door, and the maid announced that it w

ather hurt: "don't t

sh to make your name known," said Lady de la Poer, rathe

r her. Lady de la Poer meantime was helping her to dress, as readily as Josephine herself could hav

nephew and niece, who are spending the day with her. She said sh

s pleasure more!" said Kate ruefu

grown up, or they would h

n't care!"

at

to Sylvia and me, and have made up for anything, to see a countess-especi

swer at first; and Kate began to feel as if she had been

d been governess to the first Napoleon's sisters; and when, in the days of their grandeur, she visited them, one of them asked her if sh

ly mock queen

pression; and I am afraid being perched upon any kind of pedestal makes little faults and

mpared with it, and there was nothing for it but to take it out; and even then the hat reminded Kate of a certain Amelia Matilda Bunny, whose dirty finery was a torment and a by-word in St. James's Parsonage. Her frock and wh

disconsolately surveying it; "perhaps it will not be bad

ign and many thanks for having so nicely repaired the damage, they walked back to the palace, and up the great stone stairs, Kate hanging down her head, thinking that eve

inquiries whether she felt well again. She knew that she owed thanks to Mary and her father, and apologies to them all; but she had not m

ventured to let go of her again, and they all made the best of their way to the station, and were soon in full career along the line, Kate's heart sinking as she thought of Aunt Barbara. Fanny tried kindl

again!" said Lord de la Poer.

etter let

Kate thought the smile on his lip very

houlders like a boy going to be punished; "but I think Barbara consider

ergo whatever she pleases, for having ever let go the young lady'

, in a history book at home, of Judge Jefferies holding the Bloody Assize, began to get very much frightened; and her friends saw her eyes growing round with alarm, and no

"she does not often! But pray come home with

she do to

ly-be dreadfu

dful to have little girls taking unexpected baths in public? Now, Kate, please

ghtning," mu

ve been to make that polite address to an aquatic bird, fo

g to ask him not to tease her; but Kate was really candid and good tempered, and she

e is to be, I hope, Look Before

ham that was waiting for them, drove to Bruton Street; Kate very grave and silent all the way, and shrinking behind her friend in hopes that th

of her. It was all quite true: there was no false excuse made for her, she felt, when Aunt Barbara looked ashamed

ite enjoyed her readiness and intelligent interest; but she was a little

ite shaken by it still. You can't be angry with her for being terrified by it,

made Jane resolved to try to soften even Barbara's displeasure; and the little girl felt it very kind, though her

them," said Lady Barbara, "and overcome with sham

was not what could be begged off like punishment, nor would truth allow her to say there had been no trouble nor annoyance. So what

ittle girls," said Aunt Barbara. "I am always h

, smiling: "and at any rate forgive this poor little mai

r what is not a moral fault. The only difference will be the natural consequences to herself of her folly.-You

girl. But though Aunt Barbara listened politely, she could not think that Lady de la Poer knew anything about the perverseness, heedlessness, ill-temper, disobedience, and rude ungainly ways, that were so tormenting. She said no word about them herself, because she would

if it was coming! Or would the Lord Chancellor hear of it? He was new bugbear recently set up, and more haunting than even a gunpowder treason in the cellars! What did he do with the seals? Did he seal up mischievous

ere was any puzzle or difficulty about her or her affairs, she always heard something mysteriously said about applying to the Lord Chancellor, till she began to really suspect that it was by his

terrors. Poor little girl! If she had rightly feared and loved One, she