n that was inherent in his nature, began to find compensation for
being crushed, as far as regarded himself, by soaring for another. He
eagerly answered that he fully agreed with her, and that she would never
repent urging her husband to take on himself the duties incumbent on all
who had the power.

Highly gratified, she asked him to look at a copy of George's intended
address, which was lying on the table. He approved of the tenor, but
saw a few phrases susceptible of a better point. "Give it," she said,
putting a pen into his hand; and he began to interline and erase her
fair manuscript, talking earnestly, and working up himself and the
address at the same time, till it had grown into a composition far
superior to the merely sensible affair it had been. Eloquence and
thought were now in the language, and substance--and Flora was
delighted.

"I have been very disrespectful to my niece all this time," said Norman,
descending from the clouds of patriotism.

"I do not mean to inflict her mercilessly on her relations," said Flora,
"but I should like you to see her. She is so like Blanche."

The little girl was brought in, and Flora made a very pretty young
mother, as she held her in her arms, with so much graceful pride. Norman
was perfectly entranced--he had never seen his sister so charming or so
admirable, between her delight in her infant, and her self-devotion to
the good of her husband and her country--acting so wisely, and speaking
so considerately; and praising her dear Meta with so much warmth. He
would never have torn himself away, had not the nurse hinted that Mrs.
Rivers had had too much excitement and fatigue already to-day; and,
besides, he suspected that he might find Meta in the drawing-room, where
he might discuss the whole with her, and judge for himself of her state
of spirits.

Flora's next visitor was her father, who came as the twilight was
enhancing the comfortable red brightness of the fire. He was very happy
in these visits--mother and child had both prospered so well, and it was
quite a treat to be able to expend his tenderness on Flora. His little
grandchild seemed to renew his own happy days, and he delighted to take
her from her mother and fondle her. No sooner was the baby in his arms
than Flora's hands were busy among the papers, and she begged him to
ring for lights.

"Not yet," he said. "Why can't you sit in the dark, and give yourself a
little rest?"

"I want you to hear George's