obbing.

Chester thought of her, and, stealing out of the sitting-room, to find
her, stood for some seconds by her side, before she was aware of his
presence.

XI.

THE LOVELY AND THE UNLOVED.

With all his vain and superficial qualities, the young man had a kind
heart. He thought of Hepsy most when she was most neglected by others. He
knelt down by her where she sat, and took her thin hand in his.

"Come, you mustn't feel bad to-night," said he gently.

She was startled; her heart beat wildly, and she hastened to wipe her
tears.

"Has anything unpleasant happened?" he asked.

Hepsy tried to smother her sobs, but they burst forth afresh.

"I've come for you to go and hear Father Brighthopes tell his stories,"
pursued Chester. "Will you come?"

She was unable to answer.

"It's the best joke of the season!" he continued, cheerfully. "Our
company made the sourest faces in the world, when they learned that the
old clergyman was to be within hearing. 'Oh, we couldn't have any
fun,' they said. They wished him a thousand miles away. And now they
have left their silly sports to listen to him."

"I was much happier out there than after you brought me in here,"
murmured Hepsy, in a broken voice.

"I wish, then, I had left you there," rejoined Chester. "But I thought
you would enjoy the company, and made you come in."

"I couldn't play with the rest," said the unhappy girl.

"Why not? You could, if you had only thought so."

Hepsy smiled, with touching sadness.

"Who would have kissed me? I must have such a hideous face! Who
_could_?"

She cried again; and Chester, feeling deeply pained by her sufferings,
kissed her cheek.

"I could; and I have kissed you hundreds of times, as you know; and I
hope to as many more. There are worse faces than yours to kiss here
to-night."

"Oh, you are always so good--so good!" murmured Hepsy, with gushing
tears.

"Now, tell me what has occurred to make you feel bad," insisted her
cousin, very kindly.

The poor girl required much urging, but at length she confessed.

"Josephine Smith called me stupid and sour, because I sat in the corner
watching the rest."

"Josephine Smith did?" cried Chester, indignantly. "But never mind.
Don't cry about it. Do you know, you are as much better--brighter than
she is, as light is brighter and better than darkness? You are ten times
more agreeable. She has nothing to compare with your pure soul."

"You are so kind to say so