mes her
remarks were amusing and harmless enough, but too often they were unkind
and severe; and more than once she tried to place in a ludicrous light
characteristics which she could not but acknowledge were real
excellences. Christie had an uncomfortable consciousness that there was
something wrong in all this, even amid the interest and admiration which
the young girl had awakened in her, but she was very far from realising
how wrong this spirit of criticism is, or how injurious the indulgence
of it might prove to Miss Gertrude.

These things, as they came up, marred but little Christie's admiration
of her bright and winning ways. The young lady's impatience and pride
were never manifested where she or the boys were concerned; and the
charm there was in constant intercourse with one of her own age was
delightful. Notwithstanding the difference in station, the two young
girls had many subjects of interest common to both, which they were
never weary of discussing.

The enjoyment of their companionship was not all on Christie's side.
Since her residence in her father's house, Miss Gertrude had had no
companions of her own age for whose society she cared. She was
constantly surprised and delighted to find how entirely her brother's
little nurse could understand and sympathise with some of her moods and
fancies. She brought out her favourite books and discussed her
favourite subjects, and spoke to her of many things as she had never
spoken to any one since she bade adieu to her young cousins at home.

It cannot be denied that Christie's evident admiration of her helped to
bespeak Miss Gertrude's good-will. But the young lady was not very
vain. She really liked Christie, and took pleasure in her society; and
she admired the tact and patience with which she managed Little Claude.

The first few days of their intercourse was to each like the reading of
a pleasant book; nor did their interest in each other fail as they grew
better acquainted.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

PEEPS INTO FAIRY-LAND.

"Christie," said Gertrude, coming into the green room just as the little
nurse had arranged the crib for Claude's mid-day nap, "did you ever read
`The Lady of the Lake'?"

Christie was sitting down, with a basket of little socks and a bunch of
darning-cotton in her hand, and she looked up eagerly as she entered.

"No, I never read it; but I have heard of it. It is a nice book, isn't
it?"

"Yes. Get your work ready, and