ry demonstrative manners, who seemed inclined
to do good in the spirit of a prize-fighter, by attacking the evils
which she sought to remedy with a masculine vigour, such as would drive
them in terror off the field. The second daughter, Clara, was of a
rather less commanding appearance than her elder sister, but dressed and
talked pretty much in the same fashion. The third, Millicent, would
naturally have been quiet and retiring, but had constrained herself to
imitate her sisters. She had, however, only so far succeeded as to
acquire an abrupt and off-hand style of speaking, which was calculated
to shut up old-fashioned people, who had been brought up under the
impression that young ladies should belong to the feminine gender.
Indeed, when the three Misses Wilder were met on the public road in
their walking attire, with natty little hats on their heads, ulsters
down to their feet, turn-down collars round their necks, and riding-
whips or walking-sticks in their hands, it would have been very
difficult for an unpractised observer to determine to what particular
sex they belonged.

Their brother was proud of his sisters, and matched them admirably. He
was a kind-hearted, outspoken, generous young man, up to anything, from
a midnight spree to a special religious service; hating everything like
cant as decidedly "low," and going in for sincerity, truth, and free-
thought. Moreover, he spent his money, or, more strictly speaking, his
father's money as well as his own, on horses, dogs, and guns, and left
sundry little bills to stand over till the poor creditors had lost both
hope and patience.

It was now four o'clock, and the children were assembling for tea, after
a series of games, in which they had been joined by Grace Willerly with
an unflagging energy, and been occasionally encouraged by a kind word
from Mr and Mrs Wilder and their daughters.

"What a charming sight, isn't it?" said Mrs Wilder to Colonel Dawson,
as they strolled up to the tea-tables, which had been set out under the
shade of some huge elms. "How happy the dear children seem!"

"Yes," replied her guest; "it is indeed a pleasant sight, and I am sure
we may well learn a lesson of contentment with simple pleasures from the
hearty enjoyment of these young ones. What a pity that the world and
its attractions should ever get a place in the hearts of these or of any
of us, since God has made us for purer and higher things!"

"Ah! Very true, colonel