is less in proportion to them than to the rich, because they give their own labour towards obtaining it. When you visit your cottagers you will see what comfortable fires they have for boiling their potatoes-and that most of them are sensible of the comfort."

"I am sure it will be delightful to see them at ease and happy," said Evelyn; "but I wish, at all events, you would tell me what bog is, for it is an extraordinary - looking substance ?"

"The decay of trees and plants in stagnant water--fibres, and leaves, and creeping roots, all matted together, contribute chiefly to its formation," replied Mr. Desmond.

"I should like to get out of the carriage and examine it-may I, papa ?"

"So should I," said Mr. Stanley; "I am quite curious to know more about it."

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"We can examine our own bog at Clonallen better, and more at leisure," said Mr. Desmond: some fine morning we can take a ramble over it, which will be more satisfactory, as we should have scarcely time now to look at it attentively."

After they had driven through bog for some miles the road turned off, leading through fertile valleys, which were better cultivated, and the peasantry appeared more comfortable. At length Mr. Stanley's attention was attracted by a neat little hamlet, where the cottages were furnished with good chimneys and windows, and well roofed; very simple and unpretending in appearance, but supplied with well-fenced and well-filled gardens of vegetables; while a rose-tree, or honeysuckle, or sweetbrier against the houses, marked some advance towards taste and comfort. Near the hamlet were well-protected plantations, and on the hills around a few scattered cottages sheltered by trees or bushes added to the beauty and interest of the scene.

Mr. Stanley, who had been silent for some time, but evidently intent on all he saw, at last exclaimed,

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Well, Ireland really has its pretty spots! How beautiful it would everywhere appear if all proprietors took as good care of their property as the owner of this nice comfortable

looking hamlet, who seems to have worked miracles in making the people keep their houses in such neat order. He must be a good landlord and a man of taste." Just then a sudden turn of the road gave him a view of a gentlemanlike seat, prettily situated.

"I suppose the proprietor resides there-do you know him ?"

"Yes," said Mr. Desmond, smiling. In a few minutes the carriage turned into a pretty simple gateway, which with Irish hospitality stood open; and Mr. Stanley then discovered that they had actually arrived at Clonallen, and that Mr. Desmond was himself the good proprietor he had been praising. A short avenue through an oak wood, along the edge of a glen, brought them to the house, where on the steps the children stood to welcome their father and mother.

Evelyn's heart beat quickly, and her cheeks were flushed, at the idea of seeing a brother and sister. She silently pressed her father's hand;-she had never known what it was to have a sister, and had thought with delight of the meeting; yet now a cloud seemed to pass over her mind.

She had jumped hastily out of the carriage, and was rushing on, when, stopping suddenly, she hung back; the idea that Mabel could not love her crossed her mind. Fixing her eyes on the ground, she scarcely moved, when, after an affectionate embrace and welcome from her father and Mrs. Desmond, he would have led her on. But this mixed sentiment of pride and diffidence did not last long; she felt a gentle arm thrown affectionately round her neck, and a kiss on her cheek, which forced her to look up. The prettiest, brightest face, all radiant with pleasure at seeing her, sweet blue eyes full of kindness, and glowing cheeks, appeared before her and were irresistible: she threw herself on Mabel's neck, exclaiming, " Are you my sister? will you love me?" Yes, to be sure I shall love you! Mamma wrote to me that she was certain we should love each other, and so we shall, dear sister Evelyn. Only I am afraid you will think me too young too much a child to be your companion."

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"Oh no!" exclaimed Evelyn, kissing her again; "I am accustomed to children, and can play with them very happily."

Mrs. Desmond was amused at Evelyn's answer to her sister, but made no remark, knowing well that a few days would prove that Mabel was capable of more than childish play. It was late, and soon after their arrival the dressing-bell rang. Mrs. Desmond, taking Evelyn up stairs, led her into a nice little bedroom, which looked upon some flower-beds in a bank sloping down to a rapid brook which reflected the evening sun and completed the beauty of the scene. Embracing her affectionately, Mrs. Desmond again expressed her gratification at Evelyn's visit, assuring her that from henceforth that room was to be considered hers, and that at all times she would be really welcome there. Evelyn was surprised at the neatness of this room and the elegance of its furniture, and involuntarily exclaimed, when she was alone," Well! I never expected to see anything so nice here! Even Violet Stanley's apartment is not equal to this; and yet she imagined everything in Ireland was mean and uncomfortable!"

In a short time, Mabel tapping gently at the door, asked if Evelyn required assistance, -the last bell had rung, and dinner was coming up.

"Come in, dear Mabel: yes, you can help me very much. I was so delighted with this room and the view of the garden, and everything, that I have only just begun to dress. Thank you, thank you! how expert you are! Now that my frock is fastened I hope to get down in time."

"Come then, let us run quickly down stairs, for both papa and mamma like that we should be in the library before dinner is announced," said Mabel.

"So did poor grandpapa; he always tried to make me punctual," said Evelyn, as she followed the swiftfooted Mabel, just reaching the door at the last moment.

Evelyn had had many mistaken ideas about her father's house; amongst others, she had imagined that, because he had a narrow income, everything must necessarily be shabby and uncomfortable. To inexperienced youth a small income and want of comfort often appear to be one and the same; but they are not; for regularity and neatness make the most homely things comfortable. Nicety of adaptation and skilful arrangement will almost always compensate for the want of

expensive luxuries; and so judiciously were those principles combined here that, to Evelyn's surprise, there was no appearance of poverty. Everything was in the same style to which she had been accustomed, and she could not perceive the contrast she had expected between the furniture of Clonallen House and that of her own grand castle. Her next imagination was, that as everything was so orderly everybody must be very stiff and grave and formal; but, on the contrary, the conversation which Mr. and Mrs. Desmond promoted was lively and animated; and the children were far more gay and amusing than the little Stanleys, the only set of children of whom she had, in her short experience, known much. Her brother was a sensible, dark-eyed, intelligent boy, of a more serious countenance than Mabel, but very lively when excited. Mrs. Desmond appeared to be the companion as well as the parent, and listened with the utmost interest to their little histories of their amusements and walks and occupations during the few days she had been absent.

Evelyn went in the evening with Mabel and her brother to their own gardens, their favourite walks, and a bower fragrant with honeysuckle, and was so happy along with them that she actually forgot to consider her sister as a child, though she still called her "little Mabel."

Notwithstanding her exaggerated ideas of her own importance, she appeared very pleasing in her new position. Her father and Mr. Stanley were gratified at seeing that she not only was kind to her brother and sister, but attentive, if not affectionate, in her behaviour to Mrs. Desmond, whose manner so dignified, yet so lively and gracious, had already much diminished her horror of a stepmother.

CHAPTER XII.

Mabel's Lessons-The Rose and its Varieties History of the Double Rose-Morning Prayers – Visit to the Holy Well - Votive Offerings-Round Tower-Ancient Rath-Folkmoat-Tynewald Mount.

EARLY the next morning Mabel tapped at Evelyn's door to offer assistance, and to invite her to walk for half an hour before the bell summoned the family to prayers. "Come in,

dear little Mabel. No, thank you, my dear, I can fasten this frock myself. An early walk, you say; yes, very pleasant indeed! but can you leave your lessons now?”

"I generally read at an earlier hour than this; and as to lessons, I cannot say I have any now. Mamma says I am no longer a child, and therefore

"No longer a child!" exclaimed Evelyn.

"And therefore," continued Mabel, unmindful of the interruption," she says, learning should be a voluntary employment; and indeed it is so, for I am very anxious to acquire knowledge."

"So am I: there are many things I wish to learn."

"Perhaps," said Mabel, "we might learn something together."

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Together!" Evelyn repeated after her. "Oh yes, it would be very nice if we could; but I want to get beyond what children learn, and advance to what grown-up people know."

"What sort of things do you mean?" Mabel asked.

"Oh, I mean geology, algebra, and German and Latin, and such things, which are of course too difficult for children."

"I have not found them very difficult," said Mabel, blushing modestly; "but then papa and mamma teach so well and patiently, and explain so cleverly, that it assists me very much."

VOL. I.

E