'I not in the least; you know I can think all the time. But do not let me keep you up any longer, I heard the clock strike. Would not it be a good plan to send somebody tonight to tell the little girl, for fear she and her mother should sit up expecting the clothes?" That is just what I wished,' replied Arabella; then you will speak about it-thank you. Good night,'-(and in a whisper while she was kissing her) I will do my lessons better tomorrow.' The little whisper Elizabeth did not quite understand, but she thought of it, and of Arabella's confession in the arbor, and the more she thought of it, the more she was convinced that Arabella needed a little kindness and encouragement.

Mrs Dobson good naturedly offered to go herself with the message to Mrs Rye, because she agreed it was a

pity that the poor thing should be fussing; at the same time, as the maids had been washing, and had not had time to make themselves clean, they might not be so well pleased to be seen out of doors— she should not herself when she was a lass-and as for the men, they were not so proper for such sort of errands.

Elizabeth went to bed early that she might be more likely to wake in time the next morning. She woke at seven, but it rained. This did not strike her as any great hinderance; but when Arabella heard that it rained she looked

I

very dismal; 'O cousin, how sorry am! Mamma never lets us go out in the rain.'

'You had better get up at all events,' said Elizabeth, because it may be fair before eight.' Arabella lay for a moment as if unwilling, and then made a great effort and sat up in bed. 'I

will get up, but I am sure it will not leave off raining.' Elizabeth waited as long as she durst, but it did not clear up, and she set off at last by herself, with an umbrella and cloak to shelter her bundle. Peggy Rye, dressed as far as her petticoat, with a spelling book in her hand, was looking out of the door. 'Here's a young lady, mother,' said she, 'but it is not the right one.' Elizabeth laughed and uncovered her bundle; the mother came forward and curtsyed, and was ashamed that any lady should come out on such a wet morning.

6

My cousin was very sorry not to try these on, herself, Mrs Rye,' said Elizabeth ; 'could you let Peggy call some time, that Arabella may see how they fit?"

'Dear heart, yes! any time,' said Mrs Rye; it is on the straight road from our house to the school.'

Is it, really?" said Elizabeth; then

do let Peggy come with me directly in her old frock-if she has had her breakfast, I mean.' Peggy had eaten her breakfast long ago; so there was nothing to be said on that score; but she would rather have had the bundle in her own hands at once, and put on her new clothes at home. The childer don't understand, but they will be cuter when they have been at their learning,' said Mrs Rye; go, Peg, with that lady, and mind you be at school in time, and behave yourself seemly.'

6

Peggy obeyed, and Arabella, who had not (if the truth must be told) made much haste in dressing, looked out in surprise when she heard the gate swing. 'O how kind! how very kind!' exclaimed she, when she saw Peggy following; 'I should never have thought of that plan.' The shift and the frock, and the old flannel petticoat which had been tucked

up for Peggy, fitted exactly, and as Mrs Dobson remarked, 'It was enough to turn the head of a poor thing like her, to have two young ladies admiring her so.' They took care however that she should not be too late for school, and dismissed her with many charges to be a good girl, and to hold up her frock as she went.

'We have half an hour before breakfast,' said Arabella, ‘if you like it I can read my French now.'

Elizabeth was quite willing; but she little knew what it cost Arabella to do anything out of its regular time and turn. I have never had a French master,' said Elizabeth, so you most likely pronounce better than I do; but what are you reading?'

་་

'Only a Recueil at present, and it certainly will be of use if you will hear