Fanny was about to reply, when Harriet entered, having returned from her drive. Blanche went up to her immediately, and held out her hand.

"I am sorry, cousin Harriet, I was so cross this morning; I'll try not to be so again."

Harriet looked at her in surprise.

"I am sure I don't care whether you were cross or not, it made no difference to me; but if you want me to say that I won't speak to you again as I did this morning, I shan't, I can tell you that.”

"No, Harriet, that was not what I wanted," replied Blanche, as she turned away with a sigh.

CHAPTER VIII.

ONE OF EARTH'S LOWLY.

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene,

The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear;
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air."

GRAY.

THE next morning, when Blanche was sitting with her cousins in the school-room, she was surprised by the entrance of Miss Woodville. Starting up, she ran to meet her, and threw her arms round her neck.

"Oh, my dear Miss Woodville, I am so glad to see you; have you come to stay all day? Harriet, Fanny, this is Miss Woodville, my dear, dear governess.'

Miss Woodville returned the little girl's embrace with one as warm. Fanny came up to her, and shook hands, but Harriet turned

away as though she had not seen her, and soon

after left the room.

"What do you think I have come for, Blanche ?" asked Miss Woodville.

"I don't know, I am sure; what for?"

"Do you remember my saying once there was a little girl here whom I should like you to see?"

“Oh yes, very well; and are you going to take me to see her now, Miss Woodville?" "Yes; your aunt says you may go with you like."

me if

"Oh, indeed, I do like. How good you are, Miss Woodville; oh, I shall like it so much."

"Your aunt has also very kindly allowed you to spend the day with me, provided I bring you home before dark."

"Now that is best of all, Miss Woodville. I shall see poor Herbert, and little Maggie, shan't I?"

"Yes."

"Oh dear, how good of you; it will be so nice. I'll go and get ready directly."

"And what shall I do without you, Blanche ?" said Fanny, in a sorrowful tone; "and what will become of our reading?"

"Oh, I had forgotten that," replied Blanche, with a changing countenance. "Miss Woodville, I can't go. I promised Fanny I would read 'The Island Home' with her to-day. I am very sorry."

"Very well, Blanche; then I must return alone."

"No you won't, Miss Woodville. Do you think I am going to keep Blanche, when I know how much she wants to go? We can read to-morrow just as well, Blanche, so run away and get ready."

"I don't like, Fanny. I know you will be disappointed."

"Not half so much as you would be if you remained at home."

"Thank you, dear Fanny; I'll read a long time with you to-morrow, and do anything else you like."

When Blanche was gone, Miss Woodville

approached Fanny, who was standing by the fire.

"I must thank you on my own account, Miss Fanny, as well as on Blanche's, for relinquishing her company so readily, for I should indeed have been sorry to go without her."

"I couldn't have kept her, Miss Woodville, if I had wanted ever so much more than I did; she's always ready to give up anything for me, and it would have been a shame indeed if I had made her stay this morning, when she wished so much to go.

At that moment Blanche entered with a smiling face.

"Good-bye, dear Fanny, I hope you won't

be very dull."

Fanny put her arms round her neck.

Good-bye, Blanche, never mind me, I shall do very well. I hope you will enjoy your day."

"No fear of that," replied Blanche, as she tripped lightly from the room, followed by Miss Woodville.