must forgive this childish trick.'

'Trick!' said Mr. Ellis, bitterly--'yes, you have given it a right name,
Ada; but I hate tricks.'

CHAPTER VI.

A FRIENDLY PROPOSITION.

The morning after the foregoing occurrence found Mabel very dull, and
very captious. She was of course glad to know that the brooch had been
found, but very uneasy at the manner of finding it. She was not, in
truth, sorry for the fault that she had committed, but her proud spirit
chafed at the idea of being talked about in the Maitland family,
especially as she knew that a young cousin of theirs, Harry Maitland,
was expected to pay them a visit on this very day, when the whole affair
was sure to be canvassed.

But we will leave Mabel to her own uneasy thoughts, and look in at the
pleasant family party assembled in the breakfast-room of the Laurels, as
Mr. Maitland's residence was designated. This villa, as we know,
adjoined that of Aunt Mary, who at this time was on a visit with her
niece Clara to that young lady's widowed mother, Mrs. Beaumont. Cousin
Harry had arrived, and made one of the happy group, who were sitting,
books and work in hand, for they were never idle, enjoying the fresh
pure air of the morning, and the delicious smell of flowers, of which
there was a profusion both outside and in. The garden, indeed, was
resplendent with variety and beauty of colouring, softly shaded down by
the laurels, which gave their name to the villa.

Mr. Maitland had been reading a book of travels, and he was now
descanting on the uses and properties of the Eucalyptus, or blue
gum-tree of Australia, which is said to grow as much in seven years, as
an oak will grow in twenty; attains sometimes the height of three and
four hundred feet, drains the ground, attracts rain, prevents malaria,
etc.

'But do you really believe, sir, all that is written about this
wonderful tree?' inquired Harry Maitland, who had been making a sketch
of the said tree, from the description which his uncle had been reading
to them.

'Certainly, I do believe all that is stated of it,' replied Mr.
Maitland. 'Why should I doubt well-accredited writers and eye-witnesses?
The most extraordinary fact respecting it is, its health-diffusing
properties, which, as I read, makes me wonder why strenuous efforts have
not been made for its cultivation in England. I know there have been,
and there are, some efforts made, but not on an extensive scale. There
are some young trees in