The Moorland Cottage

sed, and Nancy stood on

after them, as they cl

to Com

hand sometimes, just to

ps she will, at least af

ho

Browne gave the childre

and et

s upright as ever you c

I cough, you must draw u

rong, and I shall be lo

elf very well, Edward. I

e, because you're a boy

sir,' before

wine if I'm to say that

You'd wish to be like

ing which was inaudibl

think of being helped m

is the genteel thing. Yo

re

l Combehurst spire is, w

ie, as they came in

h Combehurst spire when

eath to teach you how to

and such like rubbis

quietly by her mother's

oo much offended to re

ight be helped three ti

wit

en they drew near the br

leading a beautiful litt

came up to Mrs. Brow

ittle girl would be tired

pony for her. It's

voking to Mrs. Browne,

er, there was no help for

as far as possible, by

chilled Maggie's little

e now. It was in vain t

ter; she still lo

thought; but he was as k

nly boy

Buxton's house. It was in

t by a flight of steps.

s. It was in reality a

t of the cottages on ei

in, they entered a larg

a black and white fla

at jars of curious china

loom was pleasant, after

te light and cheerfulnes

as it were, by the large

d sweet-peas, and poppie

the somewhat sombre cool

ealth which had accumul

t of comfortable, grand,

been yeomen; but, two o

have taken their place a

operty increased, and so

owever, continued to live

lt the house in Combehur

r ashamed of what he h

sition. He and his wif

y after his son's marri

Even then they were ke

e during the lifetime

de in adding to the rich

apartments. But they di

Mr. and Mrs. Buxton (ag

in their stead. They had

lly the rooms assumed an

grew up in the enjoymen

t. But as yet they held b

a level with the county

hool as his father had

ollege to complete his e

In process of time he s

lady, of a decayed and v

re she fell into delicat

cter was worse than his f

ht her husband's death a

ce and many grosser fault

her little daughter to

treaty that he would ne

hild. So the little Ermi

who felt now how hardly

all communication wit

ria

nk?" asked his father,

held her hand. "I want to

a to be here to welco

; I think she's in the g

"directly, and then we

ft the great lofty roo

oks, and went into the s

behind the house. Down

r side, came a little t

omplexion like a china r

er, Maggie thought she

kened her pace when she s

nty light pr

, Minnie,"

topped to ga

id Maggie, softly, altho

nd did not feel that the

gracious. Frank took her

Edw

icker when she saw that

y were together, they h

impressed by the pomps a

me frock seemed to her

s voice was soft, with a

rds in Nancy's broad coun

es were thick, and clump

ght herself very kind an

riendly. The visit prom

e almost wished herself a

n her own room. Mr. Buxto

colded Maggie because she

ding: but she remembered

atched all day; and thi

rent from her usual soft

nd Master Buxton were jus

d Miss Harvey. Perhaps th

four children un

in the shrubbery," sai

hey ran. Frank proposed

rls; and for a time all

, that Maggie had had en

Maggie, at his fi

ke swinging?"

ke it now." And Edward ac

ould not swing him. Magg

he swing bent unevenly.

at last jumped out so ro

ked her down. When she

not cry; she only looke

across the front brea

fright. What wou

saw he

, kindly. "Oh, how your

boy your b

going to jump out. I am

great rent in my nice ne

leas

w frock?" a

Nancy has sat up severa

shall

s softened by such excess

She put her arms round

o to my aunt's dressing-

and I'll help

nnie," said Frank. Ned h

re ever cordial again th

ht have said he was sor

tle brown mouse of

with their arms round e

. The misfortune had m

so fair and white and

n Maggie first saw the

tart, for she thought sh

nd called them to her, an

int

Minnie, in my work-box;

dear, and bring it here,

men

d Erminia, "do let me g

uch an ol

you why afterwards,"

and arranged if nicely

ie with right good will.

a pretty contrast they

nglets, and her pale-blu

eeping out of her petti

nuts that it resembled

her clear smooth cheek, w

r the coral lips that sp

showed long, liquid, da

, threw out these two

a grave elderly person

s of her aunt; but at M

ding the fro

me of your mamma's old f

ink, Dawson, I must have

very quiet, my dears; or

e invitation; and Ermin

quietness; and went abou

Mrs. Buxton begged her

less noise when she did

. Something in herself wa

igned gentleness, that i

each other strangely we

reserved at home because

ut, and told Erminia and

her day, and des

"I have ridden that way

your

e Sleeping Beauty lived

d it, and never find it

ch seems to end at a gr

ow of the chimneys and ne

etty. Do you ever co

answered M

l you so

er be able to go out aga

w, was very cheerful. Ma

by-and-by she took a litt

and stole her

ide of pride and happines

ich would have become dul

adbare before he would l

and good-nature. He lik

ants went, he had a qui

king (for, excepting t

is standing at Combehu

ily at all his sayings,

onored in having been as

the carriage was ordered

here was a little myster

taking leave, which made

to examine a bit of rust

h some stammered-ou

, there was a little ga

son and niece, all came

y and the

ittle tiresome," said Mr

suppose. However, I think

w and then, for Browne's

man h

all," said Frank. "I beg

so selfish and self-imp

other! I know what you m

tant sometimes,

ice," said Erminia. "Wha

good about it, Fran

le thing enough, if she

brother. I'm thankful tha

here Maggie had drank te

Buxton for an hour befo

children, she could not

e herself such airs. She

r of Sir Henry Biddulph

not sit at the head of h

ecent way. Poor Mr. Buxt

to have such a wife! It

y sometimes. She thought

He must be sadly moped

oyante at that moment,

is wife's hands, and feel

t-like could ever have l

nderful mysterious bless

ruths of the households,

ate g

hear Mrs. Buxton spoken o

hard as she spoke. "Mamm

so white; and her hand

at I he

s. Buxton's hand? Where w

e, and ever were. But do

no use telling me Mrs. B

e noise of

ack of set-up people, and

all," sai

hin her to hear this co

d done so much to make

nto the world, and did

of picking to pieces tho

it pained her. She was

hould never see Mrs. Bux

visit or intercourse ha

ke place; and she felt li

mpse of the precious sto

s immediately after clo

n rock. She tried to rec

n draperies, were so s

e; and the effect of a s

ing quite new to the lit

vague distance, like the

st of all she tried to r

put away her work, and

o was crying at the thoug

should never see her ag

ousy of this warm admira

y and her fears till the

asement on the white cl

ghed in