followed by their mother, "I hope you and the girls will love each other. I want you to be like sisters; you know I told papa he must give you to me for my little daughter, so you must love your sisters very much; you will, won't you, dear?" "Yes, uncle; but please don't talk about my being yours altogether. I hope papa will come back very soon, and then I shall want to go away." "You will, will you? Papa and I must settle that, I think. You are happy enough here, Blanche? "Oh yes, uncle, but you know your old song says, "There's no place like home." "You are right, child, I believe,” replied Mr. Cleveland, and he relapsed into a reverie. Blanche had not much opportunity of conversing with either of her cousins that evening, until her aunt told her that she and Fanny must retire to rest; Harriet would remain down-stairs longer, being older than either of them. "That is just what I wished," exclaimed Fanny as soon as they left the drawing-room; "now, if Lizzie is only in a good humour, we can enjoy ourselves." Not at all comprehending her cousin's speech, Blanche followed her to her room, where Lizzie was waiting. "Oh, Lizzie," said Fanny, "I want you to leave me and Blanche here by this fire for an hour, we have scarcely spoken to each other yet; now do, Lizzie, there's a good creature." Lizzie smiled. "Ah, Miss Fanny! but what will your mama say? 66 Oh, she'll never know; she doesn't care enough about me to find out what I do when out of her sight. Then you'll leave us, Lizzie ?" "But, cousin Fanny," exclaimed Blanche in astonishment, "do you really mean to sit up here, when Aunt Helen told us we were to go to bed ?" "Why, yes, to be sure; is there anything very astonishing in that?" "Aunt Helen told us we were to go to bed," repeated Blanche. "I know she did, but that makes no difference." "Oh, but cousin Fanny, it does a great deal, oh, a great deal; we must do as she told us.' "" 66 Come, Miss Fanny," said Lizzie, "let me undress you; it does no good standing talking here." Fanny submitted with a sigh. "I did think, Blanche, you cared more for me, but I was mistaken; it is the same with everybody, no one loves me. Oh! I wish I was beautiful and accomplished as Harriet is, and then mama would love me." Tears chased each other in quick succession down her cheeks, and she was fain to put up her hands to hide them. Blanche threw her arms round her neck. "Cousin Fanny, dear cousin Fanny, I love you, I am sure, but I can't do what you want, because it wouldn't be right; |