ever endure to be excelled by any one, without redoubling her exertions to overtake them.

Mary Ann, who had just entered her twelfth year, was the very reverse of this character. Light-hearted, lively, and sweet-tempered, the sunshine of her life would seldom have been clouded, had not her habitual thoughtlessness too frequently brought her under reproof, and various penalties, which, for the moment, made her sigh. But still she continued much the same; for it was her idea, that carelessness was a slight fault in a school-girl; and she was far less disposed to correct it in herself, than to complain, half in earnest and half in play, of the strict, severe rules, the innumerable forfeits, and the impossibility of her doing anything without a mistake.

Sophia was just fifteen; she was a young lady of very superior talent, though she did not think it worth while, in the general way, to employ it. She could easily have excelled most of her companions, but as she scarcely ever did anything as well as she could, her productions were generally inferior. Few knew the extent of her abilities, but all viewed her as an oddity; and it was very evident, to an observant eye, that she wished to be thought so.

4

Matilda, who was about thirteen, was frank and open; but a proneness to take offence easily, and a determination never to make the first advance towards reconciliation, prevented her from holding a very high place in the affections of her schoolfellows.

Ellen was a sharp, clever little girl, of about ten years old; her abilities procured for her a place in a class of which she was considerably the youngest member, while much talent for drollery, and engaging manners, brought upon her rather more of the notice of the elder girls than was quite good for her, so that she was beginning to be vain, and fond of admiration. To attract notice herself, rather than to please others, became her aim, and she began to feel secret vexation when a less share of attention was paid her than usual.

Frances was in her sixteenth year; she was tall, well formed, and remarkably attractive in person; she excelled also in all the lighter accomplishments which usually attract the admiration of the young; but she was not beloved, and scarcely admired, by her companions. Conscious of external advantages, and accustomed to the flattery of injudicious friends from her infancy, she seemed to act upon the principle, that she

was superior to every one else; and vanity and selfishness led her into many ridiculous, and many unkind actions. Thus, though she might have been much admired for a few days, her schoolfellows soon learned to dislike one who so constantly assumed superiority over them, and who was so unwilling to do them a kindness. Did the young consider of how little importance beauty really is to their happiness, they would not, perhaps, so much envy those who possess it, nor be so anxious for it themselves. It may attract admiration for a time, but, by itself, will never procure for us the blessing of a real friend; for while we soon learn to love the countenance, however homely, on which habitual kindness and sympathy have stamped their sweet expression, the aversion which we naturally feel to conceited selfish characters, quickly causes us to overlook their personal charms.

Clara and Maria were sisters; the former thirteen years of age, the latter nearly ten. Clara was very fond of fun, and laughed almost at every thing, but paid little attention to her studies; she was considered an idle, trifling girl, and in general, was neither liked nor disliked. Maria was, in many respects, a pleasant child, though often

inclined to be fretful, and not much disposed to encounter difficulties.

Lucy, who had just completed her twelfth year, was a girl of some ability, and still more confidence in herself. She was far too independent to be imposed upon in the slightest degree by the elder girls, and too overbearing and consequential to be loved by the younger ones. She had been accustomed to little control at home; and a high spirit, which required constant checking, had been rather fostered by her large family, of which, being considerably the youngest, she was the favourite.

Louisa was just fourteen; she was a remarkably fine girl, and was generally thought to possess a lofty, but generous, disposition;she scorned a mean or unjust action, and possessed many desirable qualities, but pride of character often placed her in an unamiable point of view.

These, with about twenty more, whom it is not important to describe, made up the little society, whom, for the present, we will leave to their quiet repose.

CHAPTER II.

THE next morning, as Mary Ann entered the school-room, she was accosted by Charlotte."Oh, Mary Ann! what do you think?" "My dear girl, I have thought of nothing but the cold, this morning; do let me come to the fire; how long have you been down here, all alone?" "Not long; I made as much haste as I could, because I did not quite know my lessons; but do come here, I have something to tell you." "Well, pray make haste, and tell me; you always make so many prefaces to your speeches, that I grow tired of listening before you begin." "Miss

Windermere, the new teacher, is come." "Dear me, indeed is she? who told you so—and when did she come?"

last night after we

66

Sally told me that she came

were gone to bed; and I did

not ask her anything more, because, you know, we must not talk to the servants."

"Well, you

are a very good girl. Charlotte, I am afraid I