Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. [Illustration: How intently they gazed at the corner of the rocks round which Wilmot must come.] _[The Arundel Family series]_ NELLIE ARUNDEL. _A Tale of Home Life._ BY C. S. [CATHARINE SHAW] AUTHOR OF "THE GABLED FARM." Not thankful when it pleaseth me, As if Thy blessings had spare days, But such a heart, whose pulse may be Thy praise. New Edition. LONDON: JOHN F. SHAW AND CO. 48, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. All rights reserved. DEDICATED TO The Memory OF My beloved Father. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. FIRELIGHT II. A PEEP AT CHRISTINA III. HOME-SICK IV. A VISIT TO FAIRLEIGH V. AUNT RUTH VI. CAUGHT BY THE TIDE VII. WHERE? VIII. FLOATING OUT TO SEA IX. ADA'S FRIEND X. SISTER AND BROTHER XI. TEMPTED XII. SOWING AND REAPING XIII. CALLED HOME XIV. REST XV. SUNRISE XVI. "THINE EYES SHALL SEE THE KING" XVII. IN THE NIGHT XVIII. "THAT WHICH WAS LOST" XIX. ADA'S STORY XX. CROSSES XXI. AN UNEXPECTED ANSWER XXII. A LETTER XXIII. GUESSING XXIV. WAITING XXV. HASTY XXVI. CONCLUSION [Illustration] NELLIE ARUNDEL. A Tale of Home Life. CHAPTER I. FIRELIGHT. "ADA, my dear, you will spoil your eyes if you attempt to read by firelight." The girl addressed looked up from her book into her mother's face, but answered absently, without moving: "This fire gives such a good light, mamma! And it is so comfortable sitting here." "It is, dear; but you will find, when you have to rouse yourself at tea-time, that you are cold and cross, and not at all fit to take your part in everything cheerfully." Ada looked incredulous, but yielded to her mother's wish, and drew nearer the table, where a shaded lamp was casting a bright and pleasant light. "It is so much nicer to do as one likes," she said, drawing her shoulders together and shivering slightly. "Yes, at the time," answered Mrs. Arundel, quietly. "People always forget," continued Ada, "that they used to like such things when they were young." Her mamma gave her an arch smile, and Ada continued— "I don't mean you do exactly; but people want us to grow wise all at once; now don't they, mamma?"