. Adair
for her care of you, and attention to you. You are the only little girl
who has not a mamma: who would be so indulgent, so tender to you, as
Mrs. Adair?"

At these words Miss Bruce sobbed violently; but her sorrow was of short
duration: "You would vex any thing, Miss Damer, with talking so
quietly. I like people to be angry with me, and then I can be angry
myself."

"My dear, I shall not listen to you, so I advise you to cease talking:
it is my plan never to argue with unruly little girls. Come, Miss Grey,
and Isabella; we will go into the play-ground."

Isabella whispered to Miss Bruce as she passed her; "do, dear Miss
Bruce, be good. Why should you vex Miss Damer when she is so kind to
you?" Miss Bruce pushed her companion's hand from her shoulder, and
turned her face to the wall, and there they found her on their return.

When the bell rang for prayers, Miss Bruce sprang across the room to
Miss Damer, who was seated, talking to Miss Arden, and throwing her
arms round her neck, she exclaimed, "You must indeed forgive me; I
cannot sleep unless you say, 'good night.'"

Miss Damer turned round, and kissed her: "Now, my dear, I hope you will
never offend me again."

"Oh, Miss Damer! I will love you for ever, for forgiving me so soon."
The bell rang, and she hastened out of the room.

"Should you not have been a little more stern?" said Miss Arden.

"My dear friend, ask yourself whether you could be so to a little girl
who has no mother."

Tears started into Miss Arden's eyes. "I did not think of that."

CHAPTER XIII.

One evening after school-hours, Mrs. Adair went into Jane's apartment,
who at this time was chiefly confined to her chamber, and found her
busily employed sealing small parcels. One was directed, "For my friend
Miss Damer;" another, "For my dear little Isabella Vincent;" and a
third, "For my amiable young friend Miss Arden." Mrs. Adair seated
herself with the work in which she was engaged: and as her eyes glanced
to the sealed parcels, tears stole down her cheeks.

"My dear mother," said Jane with tenderness, "I am only making a little
preparation before my journey. You must have been aware, some time, that
the days of my life were numbered; and they will now be very few. But do
not grieve on my account: it is the appointment of One, who is unerring
in his ways. Excepting the separation from you and my sister, I feel
that I have no regret at leaving this world.

"Death is a s