e anodyne being given to her, she closed
her eyes, and if she did not sleep, she appeared in a state of stupor,
which much resembled sleep. It so happened, that the hot liquid had, in
falling, thrown many drops upon her face, which gave her so much pain at
the moment, that she thought she was scalded much worse than she really
was, as did those around her; but Ellen, as she watched her slumbers, now
perceived that this was a very transient injury, and she observed to her
mamma, that she hoped Matilda's good looks would not be spoiled by the
accident, at least that her beauty would be restored before her mother's
arrival from the West Indies.

"Before that time," returned Mrs. Harewood, "I trust Matilda will have
attained such a degree of mental beauty, as would render the total
destruction of her personal beauty a trifling loss, in comparison, to the
eye of a thinking and good mother, such as I apprehend Mrs. Hanson to be."

"But surely, mamma, it is a good thing to be handsome? I mean, if people
happen to be handsome, it is a pity they should lose their beauty."

"It is, my dear, to a certain degree a pity; for a pretty face, like a
pleasant prospect, gives pleasure to the beholder, and leads the mind to
contemplate the great Author of beauty in his works, and rejoice in the
perfection every where visible in nature. The possessors of beauty may,
however, so often spare it with advantage to themselves and their near
connections, that the loss of it, provided there is neither sickness, nor
any very disgusting appearance, left behind, does not appear to me a very
great misfortune."

"But surely, mamma, people may be both very pretty and very good?"

"Undoubtedly, my dear; but such are the temptations handsome people are
subject to, that they are much more frequently to be pitied than envied;
yet envy from the illiberal and malicious seldom fails to pursue them; and
when they are neither vain nor arrogant, generally points them out as
both."

"I have often wished to be handsome, mamma, because I thought people would
love me if I were; but if that is the case, I must have been mistaken,
mamma."

"Indeed you were, my child; personal charms, however attractive to the eye,
do not blind, or even engage the heart, unless they are accompanied by
good qualities, which would have their effect, you know, without
beauty--nay, even in ugly persons, when we become thoroughly acquainted
with them. Can you suppose, Ellen, that if