he children there. Her dark eyes danced
with pleasure as Bessie, herself almost as happy, took her to a group
of girls about her own age and introduced her to them as a stranger,
to whom they must try to make the picnic as pleasant as possible.
Bessie was a favourite with all the girls, and they willingly promised
what she asked; so that Nelly, for the first time in many months, had
a really good game of play with children of her own age,--an intense
pleasure to her social, kindly Irish nature, which, with her ready
wit, soon made her the life of the little group.

Two or three hours passed rapidly by. Lucy and Bessie went from one
part of the ground to another, encouraging the little ones to run and
romp, bringing forward shy or isolated children, and watching that the
ruder and stronger did not oppress the weaker,--or sitting down to
talk with some of the elder girls, who preferred a quiet chat. Stella,
in her airy muslin flounces, a tiny hat with floating blue ribbons
crowning her golden tresses, flitted about with a winning grace, which
made her the admired of all observers. She felt herself a sort of
princess on the occasion; and as she dearly loved popularity, even
among rustics, she spared no pains to be affable and agreeable, and
felt quite rewarded when she heard such speeches as, "What a sweet,
pretty young lady Miss Lucy's cousin is!" "Isn't she, for all the
world, just like a picture?"

Alick watched with some amusement the patronizing air which mingled
with her affability, and perhaps added to her consequence with those
who could not appreciate the higher beauty of simplicity of manner.
Lucy could not repress a slight feeling of annoyance at seeing how
easily her cousin won her way, and how far her more adventitious
advantages threw into the shade her own real exertions for the
pleasure of those around her. Not that the exertions had been
prompted by a desire for praise; but she was not yet unselfish enough
to be satisfied that they had gained the desired end, although not
fully appreciated by those for whom they had been made. The difference
between the cousins was, that Lucy liked approbation, when she did
what was right for its own sake, while Stella's conduct was chiefly
prompted by the desire of admiration.

"Lucy," said Stella, coming up to her during the afternoon, "do you
see that ridiculous imitation of my dress that Nancy Parker has on? I
suppose she wanted to be dressed just like me; but I'm g