The Daisy Chain, or Aspirations

ccepted the ki

it caused in the

feathers, such

h whistling, such

ills, and such o

known in the

ck at

otion of Decius, he was willing enough, and worked with spirit, for he liked the ideas, and enjoyed the expressing them, and trying to bring his lines to his notion of perfection, but if she called it the "Newdigate," or the "

rrow red and white ribbon-the Balliol colours; and set Meta

Ethel received t

ear E

bble has flown

em all

ffecti

W.

e else, but, as it was, it came rather as a matter of course. The doctor was greatly pleased, and said he should drive round by Abbotstoke to tell the news the

Flora's letters were long, descriptive, and affectionate, and she was eager to be kept fully informed of everything at home. As soon as she heard of Norman's success, she wrote a whole budget of letters

at this would not be by any means the same to the other parties-she could not bear to leave Margaret; it was a long time since there had been letters from the Alcestis, and she did not like to miss being at home when they should come; and Meta, on her side

htful the plan was. Oxford, of which she had heard so much, and which she had always wished to see! And Norman's glory-and Meta's company-nay, the very holiday, and going from home, were charms enough for a g

oke than to Stoneborough, therefore, instead of their visiting the High Street by the way, Dr. May, with Ethel and Mary, were invited

words, but let Mary rattle on with a stream of conjectures and questions, her heart was full of longings for

es! it is Flora! Only she has

Flora. Ethel kissed her without so much violence, and then saw that Flora was looking very well and bright, more decidedly

mation, as she held Mary's hand, and drew E

t the heat make

e any le

N

so often detained, but, of course, she will be

summer always

he Daisy. How do you all get on?

the worst thing I have done was expecting

e still in my mouth after the Pyrennean cookery! Oh! Ethe

airy-dream to you now? You must have fe

e pass of Roncevalles, to hear the echo of Roland's horn.

lightful-an

ants, where all the co

, and Francois I. sealed his tr

out Francois I. now; I want

am so glad he is in the

sden-how

want to sell the next presentation, but papa hopes to stave that off

I found a note from the secretary telling me

Franklin's girl-and what do you think I did, Flora? I made bold to say the woman should show her to papa, to see if she had done her any harm, and he found that it wa

aid Flora. "That i

ve the poor thing q

the ladies at l

Mrs. Ledwic

r! But, come, I wa

?" said Meta. "

e an arch look to Meta to be silent. Ethel here bethought

xford scheme. Flora's rooms had been, already, often shown to her sisters, when Mr. Rivers had been newly furnishing them, with every luxury and ornament that taste could devise. Her dressing-room,

ornaments on the shelves and chiffonieres; and Blanche had romanced about

n dress, looked, and moved, as if sh

om-Flora's dressing-case on the table, and

and exclaimed at the beauti

ns?" said Eth

arade my own dresse

then? Your com

Meta laugh

she dresses quite as well; and the things are too r

" said Flora maliciously.

n?" said Ethel, begin

er has got the Newdigate prize

saw Meta in fits of laughing, and Flora making affirm

ing to have the Newdigate prizeman shown as brother to a scarecrow. I knew what y

had felt very respectable when she set out, but she could not avoid a lurking conviction that, beside Flora and Meta, it had a scanty, schoolgirl effect. "And," she continu

me!" said Meta, sink

yourself ready to set the Thames on fire. No, my dear tea-kettle, I take you to Oxford on my own terms, and you had better submit, without a fuss, and be thankful it is no worse. George wanted me to buy you a w

half made body, was being tried upon her. She made one of her most wonderful grimaces of despair, and stood still. The dresses were not so bad after all; they were more tasteful than costly, and neither in material nor ornament were otherwise than suitable to the occasion and the wearer. It was very kind and thoughtful of Flora-that she could not but feel-nothing had b

was more than any comedy to her; she had not one moment's thought of herself, till, when Flora dived into her box, produced a pair of brace

ervant at home, and a needle-case even for Cherry Elwood, for w

the Riverses, and was greatly pleased and touched with the affection that Flora showed; so he only smiled at Ethel's doubts, and

e gave interesting accounts of their tour, and by her appeals to her husband, made him talk also. He was much more animated and agreeable than Ethel had ever seen him, and was actually laughing, and making Mary laugh heartily wi

ora-she was glad to own that she had done her injustice, and that Norm

ld places; she fulfilled her former offices; she gratified Miss Bracy by visiting her in the schoolroom, and talking of French books; and won golden opinions, by

rty at the station, and, with a parting injunction to her father, that he was to give all his p

orld was new to her; Flora more quiet, but greatly enjoying their delight, and George not saying

ossible things, and wishing them so often to change for something better, that, if they had been submissive, they would ha

lotted ten minutes, "as we shall dine so late. You desire

our old friend, Charles Cheviot

ter of Glenbracken! Oh! I am so gla

eat hero of you

now him?"

s, and a Scottish cousin-Norman Ogilvie.

enzie, was a daughter of Lo

ard at Flodden, and would not yield, and was killed with it wrapped round his body, and the Lion was dyed with his blood. Mamma knew some scraps of a ballad about him. Then they were out with Montrose, and had their c

d have all their tenantry in excellent order. This is the only son, and very good and clever-he preferred going to Balliol, that he might w

ightened at the sight of the party. After the question-whether there had been any letters from Harry? he asked whether his father were coming?-and E

t glimpsed at in her drive-it was dreamy and confused, and she stood musing, not discovering th

l, when her lankiness was overcome, and her hair was disposed so as to set off her features to advantage. The glow of amusement and pleasure di

I have been telling Ogilvie that

is very much obliged to you. By the bye," she said, in her universal amity, "I must ask

d that Edward was a protege of yours. What has he been doing? Did we not hear h

. "At least," said he, "do not l

g anything wrong?

, and dark-eyed, with a brisk and resolute cast of countenance, that, Ethel thought, might have suited the Norman of Glenbracken, who died on the ruddy Lion

viot appeared, looking as quiet and tame, as he used to be in the schoolboy da

soft one; and he stood by Ethel, asking many questions about Stoneborough, while

grew so much interested in the discussion, that her face lighted up, and she joined in it, as if it had been only between her father and brother-keen, clear, and droll. After that, sh

er settle down to write a letter. Ethel was soon interrupted-the gentlemen entered, and Mr. Ogilvie came to the window, where she was sitting, and began to tell her how mu

and she was amused by the quick

ask him when we are to deafen you. One generally knows the crack passages-something beginning with

," said Ethel, smiling, "I don'

the undergraduates, collectively, is

he same would not be a favo

tes. No doubt you have a copy here-made by yo

took it out, peering to see

to open the MS., "he told me the th

t was an old one, long ago talked over

d Ethel saw his countenance show ev

deep-deeper than most men-though I d

did not," said Ethel. "It is ra

if it were felt. Few men would do much wit

on what they woul

ive? I see where your broth

low motive-" Her p

mnis moriar of Horace has

heath

would you have t

ut

ot, beside the rill'?" said he, wit

ould duty prompt not the Hay with t

is my duty to ta

to be broken on

duty to keep her Colin f

not many Lucies wh

would rather have Coli

winkle, as if he thought she had made an a

misfortune," s

ilure in duty

el

before Heaven and men. If he does it, there is a reward, which seems to me a better, more powerful mot

as forty th

, as goo

Abbey!' is a tolerable wa

an to do his duty.' That serves for thos

re an Engl

es, or"-for she grew rather ashamed of having been impelled to utter the personal allusion

nd I have little doubt that my ancestor was a young

t Ethel could say

tate of Scottish gen

arnest, I should say you di

h to make me ou

nd English battles with Ethel there? We want you to te

wering him, and felt, at the same time, that he was not making any effort in using the arguments that puzzled her-she was in earnest, while he was at play; and, though there was something teasing in this, and she knew it partook of what her brothers called chaffing, it gave her th