"'Dear mamma, here is our money for the little girls,' and the good countess smiled upon her daughter, as she replied, "'Mrs. McBride and Mrs. Rhyle want Sunday dresses for their little girls, that they may go to Sunday-school, and this is just enough, Julia.' "The child looked very happy as she tripped away, and Mrs. Rhyle said, 'What a sweet young lady she is!' * * * * * * * "Yesterday, the good pastor dined with us; the conversation was all about plans for good among the people; and it could scarcely be seen which was most interested, the good pastor, or the noble earl, in their benevolent schemes. "The wife was an interesting English lady, and much of the side talk between the mothers, was about the dear children of the Parsonage; for the good countess loved the gentle wife of the humble pastor, and knew that this was the subject that pleased her most. * * * * * * * "I have such a pleasant room adjoining the Lady Alice, both opening to a verandah, where we spend much of our time among the flowers. My room is daily supplied with the most exquisite, which Betty, my English maid, brings every morning, with 'the compliments of Lord N----.' She always seems amused; but it is just politeness, and as such, I receive them. "But lately, I have been a little disturbed; Lady Alice sometimes throws out gentle hints, and Lord N---- is more than polite, I fear; I should be so sorry, for I do esteem him so highly. "This morning he was passing under the verandah; looking up, he said, smiling, 'May I join you, sister?' and receiving permission, he came up through a back staircase, and joined us on the verandah. "'You look very much like Flora, Miss Hamilton, among these flowers; they are so bright, and you so much like their queen.' "This was the first direct compliment that Lord N---- ever paid me, and I know that I blushed. I did not reply, for I am awkward at answering compliments. I simply turned the subject, but he selected a moss rose-bud. "'Will you wear my flower, Miss Hamilton?' he whispered, in a lower tone. "I knew not what to say. "'With pleasure,' was my reply, 'if you will give the same to Lady Alice.' "'Then you will seem like _sisters_; thank you, Miss Hamilton.' "I had not perceived the use that he might make of my answer, and I was therefore silent. "Lady Alice was greatly pleased when she placed her bouquet in the bosom of her dress; I was rather annoyed when I looked at mine--she whispered, "'Would, dear Madeline, that it were so.' "I must be circumspect; not for worlds would I wound the hearts of these dear friends.