r ever in the hall; and I
was inclined to consider him rather wanting in respect, till I
discovered that, owing to a broken leg, he was unable to stand. I did
not quite comprehend the use of my servants, as Rose herself did all the
work of my house; but she said they were indispensable, and that if it
were not for want of room, I should have a great many more.

Besides all these arrangements for my comfort in-doors, I possessed a
beautiful open phaeton, emblazoned with the royal arms of England, and
drawn by four piebald horses with long tails, so spirited that they
never left off prancing. Every day, after school-time, Rose brought
this equipage to my door; and the four horses stood with their eight
front feet in the air while I was dressed for my drive. Then, attired in
my last new bonnet and cloak, I sat in state in my carriage, and was
drawn round and round the room by Rose, till she said I was tired. She
made many attempts to persuade the lame footman to stand on the
footboard behind, but she never could manage it. He was a very helpless
creature; and I am not quite certain that he even did his best, little
as that might be. The first time Rose set him up behind the carriage, he
tumbled head over heels into the middle of it, and stood there on his
head till she picked him out again. Then he fell off behind, then on one
side, and then on the other, till she was quite tired of his foolish
tricks, and left him to sit quietly and stupidly in his old place in the
hall.

I lived in great comfort in my pleasant house, and being of a cheerful,
contented temper, never felt lonely, although left to myself during
great part of the day; for Rose was very obedient to her Mama's orders,
and even if now and then tempted to forget the regulation herself, Willy
was always at hand to remind her, and help to fix her attention on her
business. But when it was all over, she flew to me with redoubled
pleasure.

One day she said to me, 'My dear Seraphina, I am afraid you must be very
dull, alone all the morning.' I longed to assure her of the contrary;
but not having the gift of speech, I could only listen submissively
while she continued: 'It is a pity that you should sit doing nothing and
wasting your time; so I have brought you some books, which you are to
read while I am at my lessons; and I shall expect you to learn just as
much as I do.'

So saying, she seated me on my sofa, and placing a table with the books
before me, 'Look,