d confusion, when all the sisters were
beginning to speak at once, and that with the tongues of indignation and
reproof, a deep and mournful sigh was suddenly heard, which silenced
all, and turned every eye to the door of the little boudoir. The mother
stood there, with her hands clasped against her breast, pale, and with
an expression of pain on her countenance, which sent a quick pang of
conscience through the hearts of the daughters. As all remained silent,
she came softly forward, and said, with a voice of emotion:

"Why? ah, why, my dear girls, is all this? No! Now, no explanations;
there is error and blame on one side, perhaps also on more. But why this
bitterness, this incautious outbreak of injurious words? Ah, you know
not what you are doing! You know not what a hell sisters can make for
one another, if they cherish such tempers. You know not how bitterness
and harshness may grow among you to a dreadful habit; how you may become
tormenting spirits to each other, and embitter each others' lives. And
it could be so different! Sisters might be like good angels the one to
the other, and make the paternal home like a heaven upon earth! I have
seen both the one and the other in families: a greater contrast is not
to be found on earth. Ah, think, think only that every day, nay, every
hour, you are working to shape the future. Reflect that you may gladden
and beautify your lives, or embitter them, according as you now act. My
dear girls, bethink you that it is in your power to make your parents,
your family, yourselves, either very happy or very unhappy!"

The daughters were silent, and were penetrated by the deep emotion which
expressed itself in the words of their mother, in her pale countenance,
and in her tearful looks. They felt strongly the truth of all that she
had said. With a torrent of tears, Petrea ran out of the room; Sara
followed her silently; Eva threw herself caressingly on her mother's
neck; but Louise said:

"I have only spoken the truth to Sara. It is not my fault if it be
unpleasant for her to hear it."

"Ah, Louise!" returned her mother, "this is constantly said in the
world, and yet so much division and hatred prevail between those who say
it. It is the blind belief in our own faultlessness, it is the hard and
assuming spirit of correction, which excite the temper, and make the
truth unproductive of good. Why should we present truth in a disfiguring
dress, when she is in herself so pure and bea