Barrington

f the fire. These are days of varied skies, with fleecy clouds lying low beneath a broad expanse of blue, with massive shadows on the mountains, and here and there over the landscape tips of sunlight

the fly, nor is it a scent-lying day for the harriers; and yet, with all this, there is a spring and elasticity in the air th

had taken the shape of warnings-which they had given Josephine of the cottage could not prevent her asking at each turn of the road if that large house yonder, if that sombre tower over the trees, if that massive gate-lodge were not theirs. "I know this is it,

Cobham, child, one of the ric

see the handsome portico of a very large building, to which a straight avenue

n, with a quivering voice, and a glassy film ove

h; "and after all the pains I have taken in description, I cannot

rd, and, whether from disappointment

two miles of the way. "Where you see the tall larches yonder-not there-lower down, at the bend of

ou will find the cottage far more commodio

it, without cutting away the ivy. Here we are, darling; here we are!" and he gra

rother Peter, or they would not leave us st

ng as fast as he c

umbled at the lock, and then failing in all his efforts,-not very wonderful, seeing that he had taken a w

ill see here is in the same style. Let that be repaired this evening, sir, and at your own cos

is like rain to the new potatoes what I feel in my heart, and

ession is not for me to say, but that Peter Barrington guessed it i

inah to the postilion, "and

said Darby, "the whole way; Miss Polly

Who could have though

the change. On a matter as important as this, P

loud; "never touched one of those copper beeches, and g

o trotted alongside, kept up a current narrativ

the calves' paddock is thrown into the flower-garden, and there's a beautiful flight

Peter," whispered Miss Dinah, "or this young lady's zeal

ied Josephine, as they came suddenly round the ang

rew below. Through the open sashes the rooms might be seen, looking more like beautifnl bowers than the chambers of a dwelling-house. And over all, in sombre grandeur, bent the great ilex-trees, throwing their grand and tranquil shade over the cottage and the little grass-plot and even the river itself, as it swept smoothly

r own home! I told you, my dear child, it was not a great castle, no fine chateau, like tho

iss Dinah, "it would not surprise me to find that the peacoc

an Irish tendency to side with the majority. "She made us cur

y escaped," said B

every morning, and his hair divided all the way down his back, lik

; the poor fellow is like his betters,-he's not qu

ter," said Miss Dinah, sharply; "you find Darby

n't much changed since we met last," muttered

-house!" cried Josephine, as the carriage swept

our home, Fifine," said

an that we live here,-

. "Where's Jane? Take these trunks round by the back door. Carry this box to the g

aid Barrington, "but let us see if we cannot make it a very

but, of course, you have your usual answer, 'We must do the

he bustled in and out from his little study to the garden, and then to the stable, where he patted old Roger; and across to the cow-house, where Maggie knew him, and bent her great lazy eyes softly on him; and then down to the live

ottage? Was it that Aunt Dinah's welcome was wanting in affection? What revulsion could it be that so suddenly overwhelmed her? Who can tell these things, who can explain how it is that, without any definite picture of an unexpected joy, imagination will so work upon us that reality will bring nothing but a blank? It is not that the object is

; she had associates of her own age. They had pursuits in common, shared the same hopes and wishes and fears; but here-but here-Just as her thoughts had carried her so far, a tap-a ve

hine,-"yes-that

swer; and Josephine aros

Polly, with a faint smile. "She said, 'Go and make acquain

have heard so much of?" said Josephin

ave been for a topic when they ta

ver saw such beautiful teeth," said Josephine to

ictured you,-what I hoped you would be. I find i

s very sad to see what disappointments I had caused." Neither the saucy toss of the head, nor the tone tha

sephine, "is the famous Tom Dill

s anything rath

inal, or whatever you would call it. Fre

Conyers, for, in truth, no one

ps," added she, with a flashing eye, "yo

I believe I could count on the finge

ould have made so deep a

ar it, but more surpr

re very graceful, and then-" She hesitated and grew confused, and stammered, and at last said,

assure you," said Poll

shed you were, how beautifully you rode, how charmingly yo

at? Sa

ove you;" and then with a bound she threw her arms around

r belongings than "dear old grandpapa and austere Aunt Dinah;" that she had been brought up in a convent, never knowing one of the pleasures of youth, or her mind being permitted to stray beyond the dreary routine of prayer and penance. Of music she knew nothing but the solemn chants of the organ, and even flowers were to her eyes but the festal decorations of the high altar; and, lastly, she vaguely balanced between going back to the dismal existence of the cloister, or entering upon the troubled sea of life, so full of perils to one unpractised and unskilled as she was. Now Polly was a very pretty comforter through these afflictions; her own home experiences were not all rose-colored, but the physician who whispers honeyed consolations to the patient has often the painful consciousness of a deeper malady within than that for which he ministers. Polly knew something of a life of struggle

e with a Latin grammar before him; and the cook must get her orders for to-morrow; and papa must have his tea; and this short, stumpy little key that you see he

all we meet

is our fair at Inistioge, and I have

said Josephine, with an expression

e as unsuitable as Brussels lace or diamonds. They are born of luxury and indolence, and pertain to those whose existence is assured to th

w, then, you will come

I may look on the morning as filled. I see, my dear child, how shocked you are with all these unladylike cares and duties; but poor Tom and I used to weld our lives

py you m

t, I have no time to s

ut change wit

hat, my d

tune, belonging

y natural for one to fancy he could carry another's burden easier than his ow

me,-to

rly loved, and affectionately cared for, with a beautiful home to live in, and every hour free to be happy. Oh, what a sigh, dearest, what

rtily; and passing her arm fondly round Polly's waist, she said, "I 'll get used to your rai

ell!" said Polly, affectionately; "your frien

" said Josephine, wit

." Checking herself on a reflection over the pretension of this summons of three