Mademoiselle took her seat at the piano, and Tony commenced with a lisping, languishing tone to sing. Madeline was convulsed with laughter; and Tony, who saw her handkerchief covering her face, thought that she was deeply affected, and said, "We had better not finith the thong, Maddymorthelle; it affecth Mith Maddyth' nervth." Madeline could stand no more; jumping up, she ran out of the room to indulge her burst of laughter, which could no longer be restrained. Lucy did not sympathize with the jokes played upon Tony, for his weakness was his misfortune; and with her correct principles, she could no more ridicule that, than she could a blind, deaf, or lame man; but Madeline had not yet learned to ask about the right or wrong of an action, the impulses of the moment yet ruled the child. Sometimes, the thought would cross her mind, that it might not be just right, but the love of fun prevailed over her light scruples. * * * * * The cold increased, and one morning, Madeline ran into Lavinia's room, saying, "Get up, Lavinia, here is a grand snow-storm! Now for our promised ride." They watched the progress of the storm anxiously; all day and night it continued, and by the next morning, the sleighs began to fly around the neighborhood. At that moment, a sleigh stopped, and Tony, dismounting, invited the young ladies to take a ride. "I will call about four o'clock, and we will ride up to the White Houth, take thupper, and return by moonlight." Maddy ran to her aunt to obtain her consent, which was given on condition that she should make one of the party. Accordingly, at the appointed hour, furred, tippeted, and well protected from the cold, our party set off in high glee. "You can manage those spirited horses, I hope, Tony?" said Aunt Matilda. "Don't be afraid, ma'am; I have driven them many a mile, and never had an acthident yet." The ride was splendid, Madeline in wild spirits, and the whole party affected by her merry sallies. Arrived at the White House, Tony ordered a supper, and, after a lively dance in one of the parlors, in which all joined but Lucy, they sat down to a nice supper, and then started for home. There was a number of sleighs on the road, all travelling at full speed; Tony's animals were not to be passed. A large sleigh came dashing by. Tony tried to check the wild animals, but all in vain--on they rushed. Miss Matilda was in an agony of terror. Utterly unable to manage them, they galloped on madly, till, bringing up on a snow-bank, they upset the party on the road-side, and raced furiously on, until overtaken by several men, who came to the rescue, and, after some time, succeeded in quieting the excited horses. Miss Matilda was in a state of dreadful alarm; Mademoiselle Fouladoux deploring the condition of little Fanfan, who had accompanied the party; Madeline laughing at the adventure; Lavinia provoked; and Lucy quietly awaiting the return of Tony.