Mabel, Vol. I (of 3)

o dream, wit

urse, with h

think, to p

ess bitter,

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, and interrupted here and there by a rose-bush, or bed of beautiful carnations, as it suited the old gardener's taste-for he had lived in the family so many years, that no one dared dispute his will in the garden-it was conducted on his most approved style of good gardening; and old John would have defended that style against all the world. To have discharged him from her service would have been one of the last things his mistress would have thought of; therefore, the only alternative was to let him have his own way in every thing. One

lass frames. He had always something to do round these beds, the matting covers were to be put on or taken off, and the glasses opened a little more, and more, as the day advanced, and then, of course, to be closed again, by degrees, towards evening. If any one touched them but himself, he looked as if his whole crop must

if a great deal of money had been spent upon it formerly, for there were many soli

its, but nothing told of any present expenditure. Such as it had been ten years before, it very much remained now. The dining-room and usual sitting-room, ha

ative county-and fixed on this cottage for his residence. His wife was most sincerely attached to him, and her society with that of their daughter Mabel, made him scarcely regret, being obliged so soon to retire from a profession so well adapted to his tastes. He had been fond of reading, when a boy, and had

nestly did he hope that life would be spared him to guide aright a mind of such firmness and power, joined to feelings so warm and eager, that it seemed to him a question which would have the ascendancy, heart or mind. But that wish was not to be granted, and Mabel's first real sorrow, was her father's death. He had gone on a short visit to London, upon some urgent business, and had there taken the typhus fever, which made its ap

en allowed the power of guiding her still. So severely did her mother feel the loss she had sustained, both in health and spirits, that she rather required support herself than f

the management of their now reduced income, and busied herself in cutting off all the expenses which the Colon

-but the coach-house and stable were shut up-and after many a battle with their old friend, everything else that could be dispensed with, was cut off, till the expenditure was reduced to something within their income. John pined and fretted, but his young mistress had such a winning way, he could not keep his ill-humour long. He had declared, during one of his

d, and there, seated on their father's tomb, give her her first lesson in eternal things. And then they would return together to cheer their mother's solitude, and try to divert her from her ne

uick eye, changing color, and speaking countenance over which a thought, perhaps a single shade of mournfulness had been cast, and the little girl by her side looked well together, and they were almost always in company. Amy was at her French l

at length, "I learnt it perfectly this mor

lied Mabel; "but you must

axingly, knowing that Mabel could ha

dress her, you can take a run round the garden-b

ully trained against the wall, and one finer than the rest, perfectly ready, and peeping out from the leaves, looked peculiarly tempting. She stopped to look, then felt it gently, then tried to see if it

f old John was heard comi

that peach, miss?

ed red, but an

cked

rs. Miss Mabel told me to save half-a-dozen for Mr. Ware, and this was th

ll I picked up," answered Am

it as I did too," said he, as he looked in consternati

s silence, and ran into the house just in time t

easily mistaken by Amy on her sist

id, in tones of a

-she was frightened, for she kn

empt curled her beautiful lip, "I did not think you could

peak, but her sist

its hold. When it fell, you were surprised and sorry; but you could not resist the temptation to eat, because you were alone, and thought that no one saw you; then, when John came, you turned coward, because you

he whole truth glared on the child's mind, th

love me, Mab

eceitful, and wicked. What would papa

Mabel, and do not talk

tened the severity of her tone, and sitt

t will go on, leading you into worse errors, and how can I take care of you if I am not certain you are speaking the truth. Falsehood is the beginning of all sin; and yo

y you forgive me?" cr

what is sinful?" said Mabel

where they both slept, she fell upon her kn

Amy soon returned, her countenance meek and

re yourself for a difficult duty-co

ated and

cross," said sh

right. It is difficult, I know, for John will not understand what yo

ster, and, with a very blank countena

; but found him, at length, standi

," sa

the old man, gloomi

touched the peach, and t

too amazed

forgive me for telling a falseho

ill very surpr

gan, "I could not

he is very sorry, and it has been a hard struggle

suffered when you found any kindred of your'n a telling lies. But I forgive you, Miss Amy, and never you do wrong like that