Melbourne House, Volume 1

een little seen or heard; and then it was generally sitting with a book in the Belvidere or on a bank under a rose-bush, or going out or coming in with a book under her arm. Mrs. Rand

out in the country and "let her run;" therefore it was that she was hardly ever checked in any fancy that came into her

t-table, "would you like to go with June and

, ma

Do speak

ll I go,

ge. I cannot go, this mo

take Loupe and d

here would have been an end of the business, as she knew. As i

at he is to take the black pony and go with the pony-chaise

as you like, but I think it is a very un

l three of the party; Daisy, Loupe, and Sam. They

s very unsafe," rep

en she had allowed a mo

o Mrs. P

may make up whatever you think will please

nough for the rest of breakfast-time, and her colour perceptibly raised. No soon

with her post and power in the world, at the head of Mr. Randolph's household, as any throned emperor or diademed qu

this piece of capability,-"but I suppose it isn't hard

ith her. She lives with a daughter of hers who takes care of her, I believe; but they haven't much to live upon,

with her? ain't she

her bed as long as she lives; and so, you see,

ds won't give it to her. What

eople; but of course th

very poor

you like to take

said you

wait till afternoon, and you shall have a pail of nice broth and a bowl of

take something to the

re you

haise-I can t

l then, Miss Daisy, a basket of cold

e bread,

e won't ho

much glee, "and the bread can go in. And, Joann

nd her on a pony not too large to shame her own diminutive equipage; and Loupe, a good-sized Shetland pony, was very able for more than his little mistress was going to ask of him. Her father looked on, pleased, to see her departure; an

ration:

not impatient. The afternoon was splendid, the dust had been laid by late rains, and Daisy looked at her pail and basket with great contentme

where are

ry some things for

alo

there to tak

hen at Daisy. "Isn't it nice!" she said,

"I'm just as good as a princess, you know,

tea. Mrs. Linwood, and Charles and Jane

rum Elbow, a good nice way; but

sighed Nora. "Well,

n bright colours to Daisy's eyes, as the afternoon sun shone across them and tree shadows lay long over the ground. For trees there were, a great many, growing singly about the fields and fences, and some of them, very large and fine. Daisy was not so busy with her driving but tha

ks-they stick themse

e mind what had displeased the man in her or in "Randolph's folks." She determine

into a very leisurely way of trotting, an

ugh to thank the donor. That wasn't quite like a fairy tale, Daisy thought. No doubt this poor woman must have things to eat, but there was not much fun in bringing them to her. Daisy was inclined to wonde

the bed-ridden woman. But with such a nice pleasant face; eyes so lively and quiet, smile so contented, brow so calm, Daisy wondered if it could be she that must lie there always and nev

other with

k Mrs. Parsons if there is anything she woul

ee me sometimes," said the old l

said

very often. They don't care

uch, if I could do anything; but I must go n

t was so pleasant altogether that Mrs. Parsons had it

g sun, made all the world look so beautiful that Daisy thought no words could tell it. It was splendid to drive through that sunlight. In a minute or two more she had pulled up her reins short, and almost before she knew

," said he, "whith

," said Da

you have run

r. Dinw

came

bright eye of the young man saw that her eye fell and her face clouded over; it

mean to come t

like, and he seemed to know so well what he was talking about, that the answer was forced from Daisy

ut it, Daisy, shall I look for you among those th

ping her reins and rising up, "that is w

d Mr. Dinwiddie, gat

w to do, si

e you don

r-only readi

o not find

I don't quite understand-I do

her last chance; she was

the Lord Je

now, Mr. D

s you? You know what

-I k

m death and sin. He will

at you should love him

me,' he said a great w

rd wants you to gi

ose, Mr.

. Wh

an't. I don'

want t

r. Indee

just what your difficulty

him?" sa

k h

w,

ble, and ask him to make it all right

ir-not

place of these words which he gave Daisy to read. "'I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of

only I don'

it all right, if only you are willing to

I have got, sir," s

ep my commandments.' Now I want you to keep those two words, and you can't remember where to find them

softly-"I don't know when I ca

person that does. And remember, little one, that the good Lord expects

!" was Daisy's

will your pony get

oupe is lazy, but he can

and which she had used to study her lessons for Mr. Dinwiddie, was one belonging to her brother, which he was obliged to use at school. Doubtless Daisy could also have had one for the asking; she knew that; but it might have been some time first; and she had a certain doubt in her little mind that the less she said upon the subject the better. She resolved her treasure should be a secret one. It was right for her to have a Bible; she would not run the risk of disagreeable comments or commands by in any way putting it forward. Meanwhile she had become the Lord's servant! A very poor little beginning of a servant she thought herself; nevertheless in telling Mr. Dinwiddie what she had, it seemed to Daisy that she had spoken al