Countess Kate

rs, but not more than enough to keep her in a constant ferment

niece the companion of any well-regulated children; she was sure that their mother could not wish it, since nice and good as they

of them, guarded by the two governesses, and by Lady Fanny's decided ideas of propriety. That Kate embarked in long stories, and

oming; and in the absence of her quiet elder-sisterly care, the spirits of Grace and Adelaide were so excited by Kate's d

a hung round with cloaks for a tent, made camels of chairs, and finding those tardy, attempted riding on each other-with what results to Aunt Jane's ears below may be imagined-dressed up wild Arabs in bournouses of shawls, and made muskets of parasols, charging desperately, and shrieking for attack,

t, met the Arab Sheikh with his white frock over his head, descending the stairs in the rear, calling to his tribe in his sweet voice not to

t a good deal shocked at his unruly tribe, and quite acquiesced in the request that they

would have obeyed; but the other two had been worked up to a state of wildness, such as

s the lady herself was on the stairs to enforce her desire, in her gravely courteous voice; whereupon Kate, half tired and wholly excited, burst out into a vio

ld, almost frightened at the screams and sobs that Kate really could not have stopped if she would. Lady Jane came to the head of the stairs, pale and trembli

eemed to get worse and worse every moment. It was Miss Oswald at last, who, being more used to little girls and their naughtiness than any of the others, saw the right moment at

n her ear, moved her gradually onwards, till the little pink room was gained; and there she threw herself on her bed in another agony of wild subs, unaware of

girl in the world; the aunts were always unkind to her; she never got any pleasure; she could not bear being

lking and the sobbing had fairly tried her out; and by that time the hour had come at which the little visitors were to go home. The governess rose up, and said she must go, asking

d, red-marbled visage. She was thoroughly sorry, and greatly ashamed;

ary and her sisters

d no words for more of

anything to you

only don't let

uch tired out now for talking, but that you w

te rather grudgingly

ma does not like Addie and Grace to be

governess," said Kate, clinging to her, and

at it was very hard that the little De la Poers, who had father, mother, and each other

elfish little girl and Mrs. Lac

his purpose she hastily undressed herself, bundled-up her hair as best she might, as in former days, said her prayer

w in the house was beginning to lessen, and the children had forgotten themselves, and burst out into noise and merriment, till they grew unrestrained and quarrelsome; Charlie had offended Kate, she had struck him, and Mary coming on them, grieved and hurt

reaks passed by among the baby faults she had left behind, and was the more grieved and ashamed in consequence. She felt it a real exposure: she remembered her young friends' surprised and frig

iage drive away; she felt half relieved; but then she hid her

swer, so the door was opened, and the steps, scarcely audible in the rustling of the silk, came in; and Kate felt that her aunt was looking at her, wond

eized with desperate fears of the morrow, more of the shame of heari

able sense of shame; so there was no sign, no symptom of being awake, though it was certain that before Josephine went away, the candle was held so as to cast a light over all that was visible of the face. Kate could not help h

made a strange entanglement of her bed-clothes, and brought her passion to an end by making a mumm

ways haunt the great! I hate it all. I a demon of a temper? I like Aunt Barbar

ith all her faults, she was not a child who ever nourished rancour or malice

e horribly dishonourable and all that to tell Aunt Barbara. Josephine was only thinking out loud; and she can't help what she thinks. I was very naughty; no

. That little bit of forgiveness, though it had not even cost an effort, had been softening, soothing, refreshing; it had brought peacefulness;

her alarms; and she heard the clocks strike, and the bell ring for prayers, the doors open and shut, all mixed in with h

not know when the door was opened, and how the

r bed about! I wonder if we could set th

Aunt Jane's voice was in

ound of Mrs. Lacy's crape-was moving

who has cried herself to sleep. I do wish we could manage her better. D

high spirits,"

e did not say it, however; but Kate heard her sigh, and add, "Ah, well! if I were stronger, perhaps we could make her happier; but I am so nervous. I must try not to loo

den, threw her arms round her neck, and whispered, "Aunt Jane, dea

Don't, my dear; your aunt will

naughty evening was, that Kate went to sleep with more softness, love, and re