efully and appropriately dressed; but it was necessary to see her
more than once, and to have an opportunity of examining her, time after
time, to be able fully to appreciate the surprising character of her
beauty, and the incredible variety of those changes which sustain its
power and give it perpetual novelty to the heart and eye. It was, in
fact, of that dangerous description which improves on inspection, and
gradually develops itself upon the beholder, until he feels the full
extent of its influence, and is sensible, perhaps, when too late, that
he is its helpless and unresisting victim.

Around the two thorn-trees we have alluded to were built circular seats
of the grassy turf, on which the two sisters, each engaged in knitting,
now sat chatting and laughing with that unrestrained good humor and
familiarity which gave unquestionable proof of the mutual confidence
and affection that subsisted between them. Their natural tempers and
dispositions were as dissimilar as their persons. Hanna was lively and
mirthful, somewhat hasty, but placable, quick in her feelings of either
joy or sorrow, and apparently not susceptible of deep or permanent
impressions; whilst Kathleen, on the other hand, was serious, quiet, and
placid--difficult to be provoked, of great sweetness of temper, with a
tinge of melancholy that occasionally gave an irresistible charm to her
voice and features, when conversing upon any subject that was calculated
to touch the heart, or in which she felt deeply. Unlike her sister, she
was resolute, firm, and almost immutable in her resolutions; but that
was because her resolutions were seldom hasty or unadvised, but the
result of a strong feeling of rectitude and great good sense. It is
true she possessed high feelings of self-respect, together with an
enthusiastic love for her religion, and a most earnest zeal for its
advancement; indeed, so strongly did these predominate in her mind, that
any act involving a personal slight towards herself, or indifference to
her creed and its propagation, were looked upon by Kathleen as crimes
for which there was no forgiveness. If she had any fellings, it was in
these two points they lay. But at the same time, we are bound to say,
that the courage and enthusiasm of Joan of Arc had been demanded of her
by the state and condition of her country and her creed, she would
have unquestionably sacrificed her life, if the sacrifice secured the
prosperity of either.

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