-complacency.

Just so it is with a head of wheat. When it is empty, it stands
perfectly erect, and looks self-confident; but as soon as it is filled
with the precious grain, it modestly bends its head, and waives most
gracefully, as if to welcome every whispering breeze.

But was Louise wanting in affection and care to her own child? No; not
in one sense, for she was foolishly fond of this little paragon of
perfection. She one day said, boastingly, "My child has never been
washed but with a fine cambric handkerchief, which is none too good for
her soft flesh. Nothing can be too good for this precious darling, and
while I live she shall never want for any indulgence I can procure for
her."

It might be said, too, that Louise evinced a fondness for her husband;
and she was proud of the attentions of a youth who was admired for his
remarkable polish of manners; but she certainly had not at this
time--whatever she might afterwards acquire--a warm and generous heart,
free from selfish interests, to bestow upon any object on earth or in
heaven.

Notwithstanding Joseph's elegant address and appearance, his character
was in one respect vulnerable, as will be seen from a trivial act which
I have yet to mention.

His mother was an occasional assistant in her son's family. He was her
only son. She was in most respects a highly-educated woman, with no
ordinary share of self-possession, having pleasing manners, unless it
might be said that she evinced a kind of _hauteur_, which made her
rather feared than loved. But it was apparent to every one that she was
selfishly attached to this only son. Louise said one day to a friend--"I
never had occasion to be jealous of Joseph's attentions to me, or of his
affection for me, except when his mother was present."

No one could help noticing the greater deference this mother paid to her
son, even when his father was present; and most fully did this son
reciprocate his mother's respectful attachment. This love and reverence
for his mother, on the part of this son, would have been right and
beautiful if it had not been so exclusive.

In one of her visits in her son's family, when she was in feeble health,
this son proposed to his mother, towards night, in the presence of
Louise, but without conferring with her, that his mother should lodge in
his broad bed, with Louise, in their well-heated nursery.

To this Louise objected, saying she would quickly have a fire made in
the spare cham