The Daisy Chain, or Aspirations

gaged by fa

ide a rap

irst come

rm soon cau

frail, and c

opes, and li

second ca

y soul with

rose, and

hissing in th

ommittee approved, after having proposed seven amendments, a

ipal wrote from Scotland, where he was spending the Long Vacation, and info

at it was not art, but good sense, that gave her sister so much ascendancy. She began to be hopeful, and to declare that Flora might yet do something even with the ladies. Flora was gratified

om without, the equal must

their prejudices, instead o

have the proper cat

l see. Let me

bdicate into the hands

r would not be muc

ple say that Dr. May is more to them than any parson; it shows that th

town," said Flora, "and that gives weight to u

d Ethel he

ty in the town, and of being the largest subscribers, added to his personal character," said Flora; "so tha

nsolation of the children for the departure of Hector and Tom, was a bowl of soap-suds and some tobacco pipes,

eclares that she does not like bubbles! But Aubrey stands with swelled cheeks, gravely puffing at the sealing-waxed extremity. Out pours a confused assemblage of froth, but the glassy globe slowly expands the little branching veins, flowing down on either side, bearing an enlarging miniature of the sky, the clouds, the tulip-tree. Aubrey pauses to exclaim! but where is it? Try again! A proud bubble, as Mary calls it, a peacock, in blended pink and green, is this transparent sphere, reflecting and embellishing house, wall, and shrubs! It is too beautiful! It is gone! Mar

t into Mrs. Richardson's garret window, when her housemaid tried to catch it with a pair of tongs, and then ran down

s coming down! The children shout at it, as if to drive it up, but it wilfully descends-they rush beneath, they try to waft it on high with their b

s glisten in the sunlight-all rush to assist it; if breath of the lips can uphold it, it should rise, indeed! Up! above the wall! over Mrs. Richardson's elm, over the topmost branch-hurrah! out of sight! Margaret adds her voice to

an, as the elders laughed at

sed to find you h

, smiling; "one cause is

Dr. May. "You should wri

said Norman; "bubble and tro

over the house! That's right!"

se i

nche

gained by a proud bubble that flies! Don't we all bow down to it, and waft it up with the whole force of our lun

ly over the house," said Norman, far more thoughtfully

r. May, "what was the most un

e made dux," whispered

" said Nor

as when Aubrey Spencer climbed the poor old market-cross. We

dal must have been the grandest time?

n's way, but I had been doing next to nothing to the very last, then fell into an agony, and worked li

d that you had it?

ughing; "but I was ashamed of myself, and of the authorities, for choosing such an i

voice, "that is what one always fee

r. Spencer?"

ad gained it, or I should have had no chance. Poor Spe

-how long ago

ghing. "I gave him up; his health was broken, and there was no one to look after him

an arrival, and Margaret beckoned to them as Miss Rivers and her brother were ushered into the d

n came, and was caressed till her own graceful Nipen was ready to fight with the uncouth Toby for the possession of a resting

ge doll-Dr. Hoxton's gif

"because Aubrey tied her hands behind her, and

, that was

"she was Iphigenia, g

d Diana," said Ethel, "a

a willing Clytemn

," said Aubrey, while

id to dolls," said Margaret; "we dea

doll was like a heraldic lio

," said Flora; "there was a doll hanging to

first sign of life; and Meta looked a

e like sisters to me. I feel as if they were wasted on child

hard and I should have reared our doll family as judiciously as tenderly

of union. "If I were to confess-there is a dear old Rose in the se

d of the child, "here, little Daisy

drawn back, with all a baby's dignity, and the rosy face was hidden in Dr. May'

urned aside from him, and began

aring that Norman was no sportsman that Flora tried to save the family credit by mentioning Hector's love of a gun, which caused their gu

s so tired of going out alone, that he had

llow, quite tired with solitude," said

imed Ethel. "Wh

aughing. "Whatever is not

said Ethel bluntly, "if my brothers w

I am only too glad and grateful when George will come to me at all. You see I have always been too youn

comes of you

oth him and papa to sleep. I had two hours, all to myself, yesterday night," said Met

such evenings were as

easant. We are so pleased to have George at home; and we really hope that he is taking a fancy to the dear Grange. You can't think how del

lance, and wave of the hand, as she cantered off, contrasting with his slow bend, and immobility of feature, she could not help sa

and good-natured,"

vitation to shoot! How he despised you f

rong. Some of our best men are capital sportsmen. Why, there is Ogilvie-you know what he is. Wh

fter anything," said Dr. May. "I pity

e detestable' next," said Ethel. "W

dy, and allows no lib

want to impression you. We really must leave o

ch nicer," p

used to be called Peg-top-and Flora, Flossy-we were never allowed to use the names when any visitor was near; and we were asked if we could not

the fashion to use them now; and, besides the folly, it seems, to me, an ab

Loo, and the like; and you can't think how glad I have b

espect would make others b

gnity, their friends' duty is to do it for them. The mischief

the right name," said Flora. "It is, one-half of it,

u are so careful to call Meta Mis

so!" cried Norm

ould hope lady-like feelings would pre

Harry, to exact the forfeit! Poor dear little humming-bird! It gives one an oppression

shall know where I am not t

awning to me to find amusement for

hile I print A B C for Cocksm

are much better doing s

ven let me blow bu

she had now walked with him a little apart, "it always was a bubble of mine that you should tr

d the subject given out for next

you fi

head, such as I could not but set down. Now, Ethel, do

row myself into it, I shall hate everything else, and my wits

o write Eng

cured

ow

t think papa liked it, but there were some verses that touched him, and one had seen worse. It was actually inserted, and I was in high feather, till, oh,

ke a young lady's anonymou

stand it, seeing that Margaret liked it. He had not the least intention of hurting my feelings, but never was I so annihilated! I thought he was doing it on purpose,

me se

other; but let

s because Richard coul

me by running in my head, when I want to clear my brains, and know what I mean; but I can't do it without sitting

pity!" sa

see Decius. I kn

ried, for all my best id

f an uncertain Elysium. There was a great hiatus in the middle, and Norman had many more authorities to consult, but the summing-up was nearly complete, and Ethel thought the last lines grand, as they spoke of the noble consul's name living for evermore, added to the examples that nerve ardent souls to devote life, and all that is precious, to the call of duty. Fame is not their object. She may crown their pale brows, but for the good of others, not their own, a beacon light to the world.

finish it! When wi

ep the secret, Ethel. I cannot

ntion of a saying of Sir Walter Scott-'Never let me hear that brave bloo

g to the so-called "funny state" of his younger days, had trembled in his vo

pend upon it, every undergradu

and comparing her brother with such a one as poor Meta was afflicted with; wasting so

garet, one afternoon. "I have had M

t could bri

s out, but he chose to sit do

uld you

ulty, at long intervals. He asked me if lying here was not a great nuisan

was a call t

l sell out, for the ar

ave got into h

tle down, but living with one'

ng, "Margaret, it strikes me that

f?" said Ma

other places, and she does contrive to amuse him, and make him al

sorry for him!

y good for him, and give h

to that," said Margaret. "But

their speculations, and so October began; and Ethel laughed, as she questioned whether the Grange would f