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choly; as if she could possibly forget what was preying on her vitals, and preying more intensely for want of some friendly bosom on which to repose.

My mother was not the only sufferer by this ill-timed and mistaken reserve; for at this very juncture, I was myself pining for the society of my dear brother, as a protection from the impertinences of my daily tormentor; and the contrast which I continually made in imagination between the two characters, aggravated my regret; but I sullenly brooded over these disquietudes, instead of cherishing that confidence and sympathy, which, but for my perverse and perverted feelings, would have proved a mutual benefit.

"I was all a civil war within,

And, like a vessel steering in a storm,

Required more hands than one to keep me upright."

CHAPTER II.

In the midst of this perturbation of mind, I was seized with a dangerous illness, and for many weeks my life hung in suspense. My mother, regardless of her own infirmities, watched over my bed with unremitting tenderness and solicitude;-no peevish or impatient expression of her's ever assailed me, although she had to encounter both, from the natural irritability of my temper, aggravated by bodily suffering. At length a sound constitution triumphed over the disease, and the health of my tender parent, instead of appearing exhausted by incessant fatigue and anxiety, seemed to experience a temporary revival from the joy produced by my recovery.

It was while the marks of this recent indisposition were still visible on my wan features, that, during one of our morning

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rides, we alighted at a small farm-house, occupied by a person for whom my father had transacted business. Its situation was retired, but rural and agreeable; and its interior exhibited all the marks of neatness and good management. We experienced so cordial a reception, and the people, though plain in their style and manners, appeared so amiable and prepossessing, that we occasionally repeated our visit. Mrs. Thoroughgood, observing my sickly appearance, kindly invited me to spend a few days at the farm for the benefit of the air; if, as she added, I could put up with their homely accommodations. This invitation was repeated so cordially, that it overcame our scruples, and we felt inclined to repair the damage done to my blooming cheeks, by trying the salubrious air at Mr, Thoroughgood's farm.

Although I had so great an idea of my own importance, as to conceive that the honour I conferred by my presence

would amply repay all the hospitality of my hosts, I affected to feel very considerately for the trouble a personage of my consequence must occasion to such a plain family. I had settled it in my own mind, that during my visit the whole household would be decked in their holiday clothes, that the children would occasionally be admitted into my presence, and stand in a row with their hands before them, to see and to be seen in fact, that the ordinary business of the house would be suspended, and the period of my visit observed as a general holiday throughout the family. No such things happened.

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On the contrary, when, with a consequential air, I addressed my kind hostess by saying, "Now, I beg, Mrs. Thoroughgood, that you will make no kind of difference on my account;" her look and manner plainly indicated that this caution was superfluous: for aught I could perceive, nearly every thing went on in

its usual course, exhibiting the same air of comfort, order, and perfect neatness, as when we made an unexpected call. The fare was certainly plain; but it was well cooked, and decently served, and I soon acquired a better appetite for these homely repasts, than I had usually experienced for the more costly viands of my father's table.

For one novel custom, however, I was completely unprepared-before we began supper, on the farmer's striking the floor with his large oaken stick, the maid and a ploughboy-actually a ploughboy! appeared in the room, and, without any ceremony, seated themselves in my presence! Such a thing I had never witnessed in my life. Then Mr. Thoroughgood read a chapter in the Bible, and prayed without a book! I was certain it was not repeated by rote, because, among other strange things which I had been unaccustomed to hear, he prayed for a blessing on my visit, and for my com

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