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making great progress; their teachers were a good deal fagged, but kept on cheerily. I found my liberal housekeeping certainly threatened to diminish our profits, but not so much so as to render it a matter of duty to draw in. Sometimes Marian had bad headaches, which made her look very white; but, otherwise, she seemed to have nothing to complain of. Jacintha occasionally looked worn and dispirited, but I whispered to her, “Midsummer is at hand!" and she cleared up again, and went on nobly.

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CHAPTER VII.

By what astrology of fear or hope
Dare I to cast thy horoscope?
Like the new moon thy life appears,
A little strip of silver light;
And widening outward into night,
The shadowy disc of future years.

LONGFELLOW.

BOUT a month before the holidays, Ja

cintha received a very kind letter from John, saying that he was going to be married in five weeks, and that it was his bride's wish, as well as his own, that Jacintha should be bridesmaid, and accompany them on their wedding excursion. This invitation was very opportune: Jacintha both needed and deserved relaxation after her indefatigable labours; and

the prospect of joining the wedding party flattered her and raised her spirits. It reacted on her daily exertions: never had the children found her in better humour, and her cheerfulness pervaded the house.

John was gratified by the cordial letter of thanks and acceptance; and, by the next post, sent her a twenty-pound note for her outfit, saying that he did not feel justified in drawing her into expenses she could ill afford, and only wished he could make it more. By the same post he inclosed me a thirty-pound note, to take Marian and me to the sea-side, while Jacintha was enjoying her gaiety; paying us some very gratifying compliments on our exertions and success. It was very kind and handsome of John, from first to last.

We had been consulting what presents we could make him on his marriage, and decided on a very handsome though old-fashioned

pendule, which we thought he would value, because it had been our grandfather's. But, now, we thought this would not be enough; so, instead of the pendule, we decided on sending him an Indian cabinet of five times the value, a carved ivory pagoda, and one of Marian's best water-coloured landscapes, nicely framed. John was much pleased with these presents.

And now began the pleasing bustle of preparation for the holidays. The children were naturally joyful at the idea of returning to their homes; yet I heard one of them whisper to another, "If it were not for seeing mamma and Freddy, I would just as soon stay here!" As for Fanny Ward, I am persuaded she was sorry that breaking-up day was at hand.

Well-that notable day arrived in due course: our young pets were all dispersed, under proper charge, after very affectionate

leave-takings; and we were once more left in the old house by ourselves. How empty it seemed! We did enjoy our liberty, though! and our rest, and our quiet, and our independence of that duty-recalling bell.

In ten minutes after the last adieu had been spoken, Marian had started for a solitary walk, and Jacintha was bringing down into my room heaps of tarletan, white, rose-colour, pale blue, and gladly availing herself of my offer to make the skirts of all her dresses; while Hawkins, in afternoon gown and best apron, was respectfully and smilingly taking her seat in the same room, a little apart, to undertake the sleeves.

We all worked very hard, yet all felt it complete relaxation, and our tongues went as fast as our needles. Jacintha, in passing a window, happened to look out, and exclaimed, "Oh!" and instantly began laughing.

"A solitary walk, indeed," said she, merrily.

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