ring mind, which is one great step towards the
attainment of knowledge, and you are sincere and open-hearted, which
enables your friends to see what is the real bent of your disposition, and
to give you the advice really necessary; and I hope, with this groundwork
of good, you will be a very different girl when your mother again sees
you."

Mr. Harewood left Matilda quieted, but deeply impressed by what he had
said.

CHAPTER V.

From this time, Matilda felt as if her heart was lightened of a heavy load,
and she looked up to Mr. and Mrs. Harewood as friends, whom it was her duty
to obey and her privilege to love; and to the children, as brothers, whose
pleasures were as dear to her as her own; and the warmth and openness of
her temper naturally led her to display more than usual friendship,
wherever she professed it at all. Happily, with all her faults, she was
neither mean, artful, nor deceitful; so that the worst part of her
disposition lay open to the observation of those good friends, who, like
skilful physicians, only wounded to cure her.

The errors of Matilda were those which never fail to attach to extreme
indulgence--pride, impetuosity, haughtiness, insolence, and idleness.
Accustomed to consider all around her as born for her use and amusement,
she commanded where she should have entreated, and resisted where she ought
to have obeyed; but when she found that her wealth, power, and consequence
were unknown, or utterly disregarded, and that she could only be esteemed
for her good qualities, even her self-love tended to cure her of her
idleness; and instead of drawling out--"Zebby, bring me this," "You fool,
fetch me the other," she administered to her own wants, and obtained her
wishes at so much less expense than she had once thought possible, that
even her own convenience taught her the wisdom of waiting upon herself.
She imputed the change, which could not fail to be remarked, to the
climate--and unquestionably it is more easy and pleasant to be active in
a cold country, than a hot one; but her friends were well aware that the
change in her mind was greater than that of her country, and they forwarded
this happy effect, by rendering the studies in which she engaged as
delightful to her as possible, in order that, by prosecuting them, she
might become less liable to rest her happiness on the vain pomp, useless
show, and tyrannical power, which were wont to delight her.

As, however, all bad habits