, but I comprehended her haughty bearing and
scornful glances; for the neighbors looked at us pitifully, and
Gabrielle writhed beneath it: child as she was, there was something
awful and grand in her lonely majesty of demeanor. Her self-denying,
constant devotion toward me--often ailing and pining as I was--I repaid
by an affection which I am sure is quite different from that entertained
by sisters happily placed for each other: Gabrielle was as mother and
sister, and friend and nurse, and playmate, all in one to me. She and
the bright young roses in our neglected garden, were the only two
beautiful creations I had ever seen. It was well for me, in my childish
simplicity, that I knew not the wreck of mind--the waste of brilliant
powers for want of cultivation--of which Gabrielle was the victim; but
she knew it, brooded over it, and the festering poison of hatred and
contempt changed her innocent, affectionate nature, toward all created
things, except her own and only sister.

We never wearied of listening to Nelly's accounts of the former grandeur
of our maternal ancestors, intermixed with wild legends of chivalrous
love and gallant daring. She told us, too, of our ancient blood on the
father's side, and that we were the great-grandchildren of a belted
earl. Gabrielle's pale cheeks flushed not--her eyes were downcast; but I
knew the sufferings of the proud, beautiful girl. I too, humble as I
was, felt what we were--what we ought to have been, and the blood of the
De Courcys and O'Briens mounted to my throbbing temples.

Gabrielle was a lady--a lady in each action, word, and look; poorly and
insufficiently clad, her tall, graceful form bore the unmistakable mark
of hereditary breeding, which neither poverty nor neglect could
eradicate. It was not her exceeding loveliness which alone attracted
observation, but it was a refinement and elegance which no education can
bestow--it was Nature's stamp on one of her most peerless and exquisite
productions. One evening, when we had been listening to Nelly's
discourse by the kitchen fire, a sudden and a new thought took hold of
my imagination, nor could I rest until I had imparted it to Gabrielle.
It was this--that she might marry some great, rich man, and so release
us from want and privation; for, of course, my home would always be with
her!

Gabrielle looked gravely on my upturned face an I knelt beside her, and
confided this "new plan."

"Ruth," she said, "you are a wise an