The Adopted Daughter: A Tale for Young Persons

brought to Rosewood by Anna, wi

others and sisters still younger than herself) "cry after me, dame: I must go to wait on Miss Meridith you know, she has been so good to all of us." This w

od," said Anna, "and min

, jumping along, "for I am to be your servant,

ch at present," returned Anna, "

hall learn, and I shall be able to work soon,

her childishness, "is that you will be a good girl, an

l, and so I be when father is bad," returned

on't like it, and then perhaps she may tell me to tur

n she began a long story how one of their neighbours' girls was turned away from her place, because she was not a good servant, and another gir

; but there was about her a conceit, and high opinion of herself, which kept them from extolling her si

new set of clothes, which were plain and neat, and su

she should return again, she ventured to pay them a visit, and found her brothers and sisters quite reconciled to her absence; and though they expressed great pleasure at seeing her, they did not desire her to re

o strange to her, while her affection for Mrs. Meridith and her young lady daily inc

often supplied the place of his father at the neighbouring markets; but John, who was of Anna's age, had for some time expressed a wish for another empl

and I will go over to L-, and speak to Mr. Mansell, and, perhaps, for the sake of the young man, we may remain there a few months, in which time he will b

is now old enough to know his own mind, and if he prefers it, I will wait on the gentleman you mention, and both John and myself will thank you, madam, to spea

and he should not feel it as any separation from them. But his three sisters were of a different opinion:

spending a winter at L-, as she had often heard h

read a great deal of what this world is, but it is necessary you should see something of it also, as your years increase, and not gather all your information from books. I know the society in a country town is not con

ng to L-," returned Anna; "I can hardly bea

or you, and after the seclusion I have lately lived in, I could not bring myself to venture farther from home at present; neither would

d me the privilege of standing in your place hereafter," said she, "what ought I to be! and how far short shall I fall of your goodness! It was that alone which first mad

ake. It was Anna's treat to them, and they amused themselves by singing, dancing, or whatever she thought most agreeable to her younger cousins, who never visited her except at these times, and on her's and Mrs. Meridith's birth-day, which both happened in the summer months, lest, as their father said, "it should make them dissatisfied with their situation at home," where they were constantly engaged in domestic affairs. The eldest managed the dairy, under the di

t was intended to please them. The estate which Mrs. Meridith possessed in the neighbourhood made her of consequence in L-, and the most respectable families made a point of calling on her after her arrival; and when they had been only one week in the town, Anna was surprised to find they were engaged every evening. Mrs. Meridith attended the balls with her, which were once a fortnight; and several private dances were

mpbell; "her consequence is such that whom she favours, every one who wishes to please her thinks it

ir of gaiety; "even if Mrs. Meridith gave me up; unless I should do any t

versation; "my cousin Anna would be always the same to m

dear uncle, you would not have me quarrel with these people, because they do not notice me for my own sake? Be assured I properly estimate their attentions, and often smile at them all; but Mrs. Meridith has so often cau

ease in value, and I am satisfied. Remember many people have bee