"Dear cousin Hester! I think you are very melancholy," said Flora, looking up at me affectionately. "Pray don't speak of the gloomy Southcotes, you are only sad, you are not gloomy; and I do not wonder--I am sure if it were I," the tears gathered heavily into her sweet blue eyes. No--Flora, like myself, six months ago, knew nothing of the course of time and nature. Flora could understand any degree of mourning for such a grief as mine. Alice had met my eye with an inquiring and slightly troubled glance, and now she went away--we were left alone. Flora and I--for some time we sat in silence together, my eyes bent upon the fire, and hers on me. This sweet simple girl seemed to fancy that she had a sort of charge of me--to amuse and cheer me. After a short interval, she spoke again. "I saw some beautiful flowers down stairs, are they from your green-house, cousin? Some one told me there was such a beautiful conservatory at Cottiswoode; do your plants thrive? Do you spend much time there? Are you fond of flowers, cousin Hester?" "I used to like them very well," I said; "but I do not think I have been in the conservatory here more than half-a-dozen times. Would you like to go now, Flora?" "Oh, yes--so much! if it would not tire you," said Flora, starting up; "we have only such a little shabby one at Ennerdale. Mamma used to say the nursery was her conservatory; but I am very fond of flowers. Oh, what a beautiful place! Did you use to have this when you were at Cottiswoode before? I think I could live here if this were mine!" And she flew about, light-hearted and light-footed, through the pretty conservatory, which indeed looked a very suitable place for her. As I followed her languidly, Flora found flower after flower which she did not know, and came darting back to me to know the names, reckoning upon my knowledge, as it seemed, with the most perfect confidence. I did not know--I did not know--I had never observed it before. Her young bright face grew blank as she received always the same answer; and by-and-by she restrained her natural exuberance, and came and walked beside me soberly, and ceased to assail me with questions. I was not much satisfied with the change, but I caught Flora's grave, anxious, wondering look at me, and knew that this and everything else was laid to the source of my sorrow, and that the sincerest pity and affectionate anxiety for me had risen in this young girl's simple heart.