As children they had been coaxed and bribed to appear sweet-tempered and obliging in company--the plan succeeded; but only left them more ill-tempered and unmanageable when the restraint was removed. This system was, however, too readily followed; and as they grew older, their foolish parent saw no other efficient plan for securing their position in society, than that of continuing the same course of indulgence. She now tried, by the most unbounded gratification of their wishes, to secure to herself that love which timely discipline might easily have preserved in tempers not naturally degenerate. But veiling this weakness, she prided herself on the greatness of her parental love, and threatened to weary every one else by the excess to which she carried it. Glad of an opportunity of touching on her favorite topic, she said to her sister-- "You must come and see us all some day. Mr. Villars would be so glad to see you, and I should have an opportunity of shewing you my pet girls." "I never stir out now," returned Mrs. Lesly, shaking her head mournfully, "scarcely even beyond my own door. But Lucy will, I dare say, give us a specimen of all your sayings and doings in time. I should much like to see the children; but fear there is but little inducement to ask any of them to a place where there is so very little going on. My Mabel is very fond of the country, or I should often have been vexed at our seeing so little company." "Oh, you are quite mistaken, my dear," said Mrs. Villars, quickly. "Caroline and Selina are very fond of the country, and so are you, Lucy." "Yes, I like it very well in the summer," said Lucy, languidly. "Do you like the snow?" asked Amy, speaking for the first time. "No, not much; but we had better not talk of snow in August--it is too near to be pleasant," said Lucy, a little impatiently. "You forget the balls, my dear," said her mama, soothingly, and watchful of her children's tempers as a lover of his mistress. "No, mama, I was speaking of snow in the country, and there, I suppose, there is not much dancing. Are you fond of balls, Mabel? but I forgot, I need not ask, for, of course, you are." "I have never been to a public ball," replied Mabel, "but I have often enjoyed a dance at a friend's house." "Have you really never been to a ball," exclaimed Lucy, opening her pretty blue eyes wide, with half real and half affected astonishment. "You would be enchanted with Bath. We have such delightful balls once a week. The Thursday balls they are called, and then every season--" "Lucy, love, you will tire your aunt with your prattle," said her mama, "now confess, Annie, does she not make your head ache?" "A little," replied her sister, "but do not let my weakness interfere with her enjoyment. She will have little else to listen to besides her own voice," Mrs. Lesly added, trying to smile away her sister's chagrin at finding it really possible that she could be tired at hearing Lucy talk.