rk of discontent should escape
her in the presence of any one. Her constant attention to the observance
of her duty, her mildness, and endeavours to convince her mother that
her mind was superior to her face, had no effect; for beauty alone
attracts the attention of those who examine no further than external
appearances.

Mrs. Lenox, who was continually chiding Leonora, and expecting from her
perfections far beyond the reach of those more advanced in years, at
last fell sick. Adolphus seemed very sorry for his mother's illness; but
Leonora, with the softest looks and most languishing countenance,
fancied she perceived in her mother an abatement of her accustomed
rigour towards her, and far surpassed her brother in her attention to
her parent. She endeavoured to supply her slightest wants, exerted all
her penetration to discover them, that she might even spare her the pain
of asking for any thing. So long as her mother's illness had the least
appearance of danger, she never quitted her pillow, and neither threats
nor commands could prevail on her to take the least repose.

Mrs. Lenox, however, at length recovered, which afforded inexpressible
pleasure to the amiable Leonora; but she soon experienced a renewal of
her misfortunes, as her mother began to treat her with her usual
severity and indifference.

As Mrs. Lenox was one day talking to her children on the pain she had
suffered during her illness, and was praising them for the anxiety they
had shown on her account, she desired them to ask of her whatever they
thought would be the most pleasing to them, and they should certainly be
indulged in it, provided their demands were not unreasonable.

First addressing herself to Adolphus, she desired to know what he would
choose: and his desire was to have a cane and a watch, which his mother
promised he should have the next morning. "And pray, Leonora," said Mrs.
Lenox, "what is your wish?"--"Me, mamma, me?" answered she, trembling,
"if you do but love me, I have nothing else to wish for!"--"This is not
an answer;" replied the mother, "you shall have your recompense
likewise, miss, therefore speak your wish instantly."

However accustomed Leonora might have been to this severe tone, yet she
felt it on this occasion more sensibly than ever she had before. She
threw herself at her mother's feet, looked up to her with eyes swimming
in tears, and instantly hiding her face with both her hands, lisped out
these words: "Only gi