“Disappointments,” said she, after having read the letter, “are extremely beneficial to young persons, and I trust that my dear girls will prove, by their behaviour on this occasion, that all my lessons of patience and submission have not been disregarded. Your brother’s return is doubtless retarded, but I trust that is all. When he recovers and arrives, you will meet him with greater pleasure from this transient affliction, particularly if you bear it properly.” “But are you really going to leave us?” mamma, said little Julia: “papa says he wishes for you.” “I have no doubt, my love, that your papa will procure Charles every thing that is requisite, and I could do no more; however, I shall wait till after the post comes in to-morrow, before I decide that point.” “Your absence would be doubly painful to us now,” said Anna, “for we want you to comfort us.” “That is true,” observed the amiable Caroline, “but our poor sick brother stands more in need of comfort than we: besides, it is so long since he saw mamma.” “Well, my dears, it will be time enough to-morrow to discuss that subject,” said Lady S. “now I must go and write an answer to this letter, and you had better continue your studies.” The dear girls dried their tears, and, resuming their occupations, seemed to feel their grief alleviated, though the anxious expressions that at intervals escaped them, showed that it was not forgotten. At length the next day arrived, and the post brought the pleasing intelligence that Charles was better; however, not being yet allowed to leave his room, he would not be with them till the following week. At last the happy day arrived, and towards evening, just as the children had finished their supper, a post-chaise stopped at the door. “Papa and Charles!” exclaimed they all at once, and flew to meet and embrace their beloved relatives. I remained quietly with my mistress, and, in about a quarter of an hour, Charles, accompanied by his sisters, came to pay his respects to her. He was a fine little boy, about the size of Julia, though somewhat younger. I observed, with pleasure, that he seemed very fond of his sisters; answering their numerous questions with affectionate attention, though it certainly required some judgment to do so; for they scarcely gave him time to reply to one, before they asked another, so eager were they to know whatever concerned him. “Oh! Charles,” said Julia, “do you know, Miss Sedley has the prettiest, tamest Robin you can imagine. But do you know whether papa has brought me a cage? I asked him for one in my letter.” “A cage? Oh yes,” said Charles, “and I have brought you a goldfinch in it.” “For me?—a goldfinch!—where is it?” said she, and ran out of the room, to fetch this newly-acquired treasure. “But where is this Robin?” asked the little boy: “may I see it?” “Yonder on the music-book,” replied Anna; “Miss Sedley will show him to you.”