"Because it was my daily food; rising up, and lying down, in the house, and by the wayside, it is, Maddy, our household book; and you need not wonder that all my life has been so constantly under the power of its heavenly truths." "I wish that I loved the Bible as you do, Roland; I have seen so much of its power at dear Aunt Clara's--she is such a lovely Christian; but I love to read other books so much better--will you come up next Saturday, Roland?" "Yes, Maddy, I have a book to bring home--will you not let me hear some of your music then?" "Certainly--I know two or three pretty pieces which I think you will like so much." "I must go now, Maddy, for my mother will want me; good-bye, get ready to come to school soon;" and with these words, Roland turned towards his home. Saturday came, and Madeline was tuning her harp at an early hour, in expectation of her young friend. When Roland arrived, she was practising one of her sweetest pieces, and calling him into the parlor, she played all that she knew, while Roland stood enchanted with the music that he had never heard before. "I have learned one hymn, Roland, for you, because I knew that you like sacred music;" and she sang with touching sweetness an evening hymn. Lavinia Raymond was watching outside of the piazza the performance in the parlor, and as Roland passed out on his way home, the sneer with which she greeted him, was but a repetition of the insolence of other meetings. "Madeline, are you really such a dunce as to let yourself down to that beggar boy?" asked Lavinia, as she entered the house. "Listen to me, Lavinia; the Bruces are my friends, poor as they are; I honor and love them all, and you shall not sneer at them when I am near--you are not worthy to mention even the name of a Bruce." "Quite theatrical, Madeline!--you would make an excellent actress; the flashing eye, the glowing cheek, the lofty head, and the proud step would very well suit a queen." "Be silent, Lavinia, I will not submit to your insolence;" and Madeline haughtily left the room. In a few minutes she entered, and extending her hand, said, "Lavinia, forgive me; I was very rude to a guest, but you provoked me." "You may enjoy your friends for me, Madeline; but I must say that I am sorry to see you throwing your attentions away upon plebeians." "I am not doing so, Lavinia; it makes me happy to do anything for people so good as they are, for I do believe that they are the real children of God. I would that I were half so good." CHAPTER X. SUNSHINE AT THE HALL; SHADOWS AT THE COTTAGE. Morning, noon, and night, was Madeline inventing some new scheme of fun and frolic, never, however, neglecting her harp. Mademoiselle generally managed to get about half of her lessons; Aunt Matilda did not interfere, for Maddy had company, and could not be expected to study much.