working for the infant school. Yes, I
think the way to be happy and useful is to get up many interests, so as
to be fresh and vigorous, and think not at all of personalities. There's
a truism!"

"Very true, though," said Miss Bracy. "Indeed, all your kindness and
consideration would never have done me half the good they have, dear
Miss Ethel, if you had not taught me that referring all to one's own
feelings and self is the way to be unhappy."

"Just so," said Ethel. "It is the surest way for any one to be
miserable."

"If I could only persuade poor dear Ellen to think that even if a slight
were real, it ought to be borne forgivingly, and not brooded over. Ah!
you are laughing; perhaps you have said the same about me."

"You would forgive it now, I think," said Ethel.

"I never thought I did not forgive. I did not see that brooding over
vexations was not pardoning them. I have told her so now; and, oh! if
she could but have seen how true sorrows are borne here, she would be
cured, like me, of making imaginary ones."

"None could help being better for living with papa," said Ethel.

Ethel made Miss Bracy happy by a kiss before she left her. It was a
cheering belief that, whatever the future trials of her life might
be, the gentle little lady would meet them with a healthier mind, more
vigorous in overlooking troubles and without punctilious sensitiveness
on the lookout for affronts. "Believing all things, bearing all things,
hoping all things, enduring all things," would be to her the true secret
of serenity of spirits.

Ethel might not have been blameless or consistent in her dealings in
this difficult intercourse, but her kind heart, upright intention, and
force of character, had influence far beyond her own perception. Indeed,
she knew not that she had personal influence at all, but went on in her
own straightforward humility.

CHAPTER XXIV.

"Enough of foresight sad, too much
Of retrospect have I;
And well for me, that I, sometimes,
Can put those feelings by.

There speaks the man we knew of yore,
Well pleased, I hear them say;
Such was he, in his lighter moods,
Before our heads were gray.

Buoyant he was in spirit, quick
Of fancy, light of heart;
And care, and time, and change have left
Untouch'd his better part."--SOUTHEY.

Etheldred May and Meta Rivers were together in the drawing-room. The
timepiece pointed towards