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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/11121-0.txt b/11121-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..81ac4c2 --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1557 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11121 *** + +[Illustration: The Bracelets. Edgeworth.] + +[Illustration] + + +THE BRACELETS; + +OR, +AMIABILITY AND INDUSTRY REWARDED. + + +BY +MARIA EDGEWORTH, + +AUTHOR OF "POPULAR TALES," "MORAL TALES," ETC. ETC. + +With Illustrations from Original Designs. + + + +1850. + + + + +THE BRACELETS. + + * * * * * + +In a beautiful and retired part of England lived Mrs. Villars, a +lady whose accurate understanding, benevolent heart, and steady +temper, peculiarly fitted her for the most difficult, as well as most +important of all occupations--the education of youth. This task she had +undertaken; and twenty young persons were put under her care, with the +perfect confidence of their parents. No young people could be happier; +they were good and gay, emulous, but not envious of each other; for Mrs. +Villars was impartially just. Her praise they felt to be the reward of +merit, and her blame they knew to be the necessary consequence of ill +conduct; to the one, therefore, they patiently submitted, and in the +other consciously rejoiced. They rose with fresh cheerfulness in the +morning, eager to pursue their various occupations; they returned in the +evening with renewed ardour to their amusements, and retired to rest +satisfied with themselves and pleased with each other. + +Nothing so much contributed to preserve a spirit of emulation in this +little society as a small honorary distinction given annually, as the +prize of successful application. The prize this year was peculiarly dear +to each individual, as it was the picture of a friend whom they all +dearly loved--it was the picture of Mrs. Villars in a small bracelet. +It wanted neither gold, pearls, nor precious stones, to give it value. + +The two foremost candidates for the prize were Cecilia and Leonora. +Cecilia was the most intimate friend of Leonora, but Leonora was only +the favourite companion of Cecilia. + +Cecilia was of an active, ambitious, enterprising disposition; more +eager in the pursuit than happy in the enjoyment of her wishes. Leonora +was of a contented, unaspiring, temperate character, not easily roused +to action, but indefatigable when once excited. Leonora was proud, +Cecilia was vain. Her vanity made her more dependent upon the +approbation of others, and therefore more anxious to please, than +Leonora; but that very vanity made her, at the same time, more apt to +offend. In short, Leonora was the most anxious to avoid what was wrong, +Cecilia the most ambitious to do what was right. Few of their companions +loved, but many were led by Cecilia, for she was often successful; many +loved Leonora, but none were ever governed by her, for she was too +indolent to govern. + +On the first day of May, about six o'clock in the evening, a great bell +rang, to summon this little society into a hall, where the prize was to +be decided. A number of small tables were placed in a circle in the +middle of the hall; seats for the young competitors were raised one +above another, in a semicircle, some yards distant from the table; and +the judges' chairs, under canopies of lilacs and luburnums, forming +another semicircle, closed the amphitheatre. Every one put their +writings, their drawings, their works of various kinds, upon the tables +appropriated for each. How unsteady were the last steps to these tables! +How each little hand trembled as it laid down its claims! Till this +moment every one thought herself secure of success, but now each felt an +equal certainty of being excelled; and the heart which a few minutes +before exulted with hope, now palpitated with fear. + +The works were examined, the preference adjudged; and the prize was +declared to be the happy Cecilia's. Mrs. Villars came forward smiling, +with the bracelet in her hand. Cecilia was behind her companions, on the +highest row; all the others gave way, and she was on the floor in an +instant. Mrs. Villars clasped the bracelet on her arm; the clasp was +heard through the whole hall, and a universal smile of congratulation +followed. Mrs. Villars kissed Cecilia's little hand; and "now," said +she, "go and rejoice with your companions; the remainder of the day is +yours." + +Oh! you whose hearts are elated with success, whose bosoms beat high +with joy, in the moment of triumph, command yourselves; let that triumph +be moderate, that it may be lasting. Consider that, though you are good, +you may be better, and though wise, you may be weak. + +As soon as Mrs. Villars had given her the bracelet, all Cecilia's little +companions crowded round her, and they all left the hall in an instant. +She was full of spirits and vanity--she ran on, running down the flight +of steps which led to the garden. In her violent haste, Cecilia threw +down the little Louisa. Louisa had a china mandarin in her hand, which +her mother had sent her that very morning; it was all broke to pieces by +the fall. + +"Oh! my mandarin!" cried Louisa, bursting into tears. The crowd behind +Cecilia suddenly stopped. Louisa sat on the lowest step, fixing her eyes +upon the broken pieces; then turning round, she hid her face in her +hands upon the step above her. In turning, Louisa threw down the remains +of the mandarin; the head, which she had placed in the socket, fell from +the shoulders, and rolled bounding along the gravel-walk. Cecilia +pointed to the head and to the socket, and burst out laughing; the crowd +behind laughed too. At any other time they would have been more inclined +to cry with Louisa; but Cecilia had just been successful, and sympathy +with the victorious often makes us forget justice. Leonora, however, +preserved her usual consistency. "Poor Louisa!" said she, looking first +at her, and then reproachfully at Cecilia. Cecilia turned sharply round, +colouring, half with shame and half with vexation. "I could not help it, +Leonora," said she. + +"But you could have helped laughing, Cecilia." "I didn't laugh at +Louisa; and I surely may laugh, for it does nobody any harm." "I am +sure, however," replied Leonora, "I should not have laughed if I +had----" "No, to be sure you wouldn't, because Louisa is your favourite. +I can buy her another mandarin the next time that old pedlar comes to +the door, if that's all. I _can_ do no more. _Can_ I?" said she, +turning round to her companions. "No, to be sure," said they, "that's all +fair." + +Cecilia looked triumphantly at Leonora. Leonora let go her hand; she ran +on, and the crowd followed. When she got to the end of the garden, she +turned round to see if Leonora had followed her too; but was vexed to +see her still sitting on the steps with Louisa. "I'm sure I can do no +more than buy her another! _Can_ I?" said she, again appealing to her +companions. + +"No, to be sure," said they, eager to begin their plays. How many did +they begin and leave off before Cecilia could be satisfied with any. +Her thoughts were discomposed, and her mind was running upon something +else; no wonder then that she did not play with her usual address. She +grew still more impatient; she threw down the nine-pins: "Come, let us +play at something else--at threading the needle," said she, holding out +her hand. They all yielded to the hand which wore the bracelet. But +Cecilia, dissatisfied with herself, was discontented with everybody +else; her tone grew more and more peremptory,--one was too rude, another +too stiff; one was too slow, another too quick; in short, everything +went wrong, and everybody was tired of her humours. + +The triumph of _success_ is absolute, but short. Cecilia's companions at +length recollected that, though she had embroidered a tulip and painted +a peach better than they, yet that they could play as well, and keep +their tempers better: she was thrown out. Walking towards the house in a +peevish mood, she met Leonora; she passed on. + +"Cecilia!" cried Leonora. "Well, what do you want with me?" "Are we +friends?" "You know best." "We are; if you will let me tell Louisa that +you are sorry--" Cecilia, interrupting her, "O! pray let me hear no +more about Louisa!" "What! not confess that you were in the wrong! Oh, +Cecilia! I had a better opinion of you." "Your opinion is of no +consequence to me now; for you don't love me." "No, not when you are +unjust, Cecilia." "Unjust! I am not unjust; and if I were, you are not +my governess." "No, but am I not your friend?" "I don't desire to have +such a friend, who would quarrel with me for happening to throw down +little Louisa--how could I tell that she had a mandarin in her hand? and +when it was broken, could I do more than promise her another? Was that +unjust?" "But you know, Cecilia----" "_I know_," ironically, "I know, +Leonora, that you love Louisa better than you do me; that's the +injustice!" "If I did," replied Leonora gravely, "it would be no +injustice, if she deserved it better." "How can you compare Louisa to +me!" exclaimed Cecilia, indignantly. + +Leonora made no answer, for she was really hurt at her friend's conduct; +she walked on to join the rest of her companions. They were dancing in a +round upon the grass. Leonora declined dancing, but they prevailed upon +her to sing for them; her voice was not so sprightly, but it was sweeter +than usual. Who sung so sweetly as Leonora? or who danced so nimbly as +Louisa? + +Away she was flying, all spirits and gayety, when Leonora's eyes full of +tears, caught hers. Louisa silently let go her companions' hands, and +quitting the dance, ran up to Leonora to inquire what was the matter +with her. + +"Nothing," replied she, "that need interrupt you,--Go, my dear, and +dance again." + +Louisa immediately ran away to her garden, and pulling off her little +straw hat, she lined it with the freshest strawberry leaves, and was +upon her knees before the strawberry bed when Cecilia came by. Cecilia +was not disposed to be pleased with Louisa at that instant, for two +reasons: because she was jealous of her, and because she had injured +her. The injury, however, Louisa had already forgotten; perhaps, to tell +things just as they were, she was not quite so much inclined to kiss +Cecilia as she would have been before the fall of her mandarin, but this +was the utmost extent of her malice, if it can be called malice. + +"What are you doing there, little one?" said Cecilia in a sharp tone. +"Are you eating your early strawberries here all alone?" "No," said +Louisa, mysteriously; "I am not eating them." "What are you doing with +them--can't you answer then? I'm not playing with you, child!" "Oh! as +to that, Cecilia, you know I need not answer you unless I choose it; not +but what I would, if you would only ask me civilly--and if you would not +call me _child_." "Why should not I call you child?" +"Because--because--I don't know;--but I wish you would stand out of my +light, Cecilia, for you are trampling upon all my strawberries." "I have +not touched one, you covetous little creature!" "Indeed--indeed, +Cecilia, I am not covetous. I have not eaten one of them--they are all +for your friend Leonora. See how unjust you are." "Unjust! that's a cant +word you learned of my friend Leonora, as you call her, but she is not +my friend now." "Not your friend now!" exclaimed Louisa. "Then I am sure +you must have done something _very_ naughty." "How!" said Cecilia, +catching hold of her. "Let me go--Let me go!" cried Louisa, struggling. +"I won't give you one of my strawberries, for I don't like you at all." +"You don't, don't you?" said Cecilia, provoked; and catching the hat +from Louisa, she flung the strawberries over the hedge. "Will nobody +help me!" exclaimed Louisa, snatching her hat again, and running away +with all her force. + +"What have I done?" said Cecilia, recollecting herself. "Louisa! +Louisa!" She called very loud, but Louisa would not turn back! she was +running to her companions. + +They were still dancing, hand in hand, upon the grass, whilst Leonora, +sitting in the middle, sang to them. + +"Stop! stop! and hear me!" cried Louisa, breaking through them; and +rushing up to Leonora, she threw her hat at her feet, and panting for +breath---- + +"It was full--almost full of my own strawberries," said she, "the first +I ever got out of my own garden. They should all have been for you, +Leonora, but now I have not one left. They are all gone!" said she; and +she hid her face in Leonora's lap. + +"Gone! gone where?" said every one at once, running up to her. "Cecilia! +Cecilia!" said she, sobbing. "Cecilia!" repeated Leonora; "what of +Cecilia?" "Yes, it was--it was." + +"Come along with me," said Leonora, unwilling to have her friend +exposed; "come, and I will get you some more strawberries." "Oh, I don't +mind the strawberries, indeed; but I wanted to have had the pleasure of +giving them to you." + +Leonora took her up in her arms to carry her away, but it was too late. + +"What, Cecilia! Cecilia, who won the prize! It could not surely be +Cecilia," whispered every busy tongue. + +At this instant the bell summoned them in. + +"There she is!--There she is!" cried they, pointing to an arbour, where +Cecilia was standing, ashamed and alone; and as they passed her, some +lifted up their hands and eyes with astonishment, others whispered and +huddled mysteriously together, as if to avoid her. Leonora walked on, +her head a little higher than usual. + +"Leonora!" said Cecilia, timorously, as she passed. + +"Oh, Cecilia! who would have thought that you had a bad heart?" + +Cecilia turned her head aside and burst into tears. + +"Oh no, indeed, she has not a bad heart," cried Louisa, running up to +her, and throwing her arms round her neck; "she's very sorry!--are not +you, Cecilia? But don't cry any more, for I forgive you with all my +heart; and I love you now, though I said I did not when I was in a +passion." + +"O, you sweet-tempered girl! how I love you," said Cecilia, kissing her. + +"Well then, if you do, come along with me, and dry your eyes, for they +are so red." + +"Go, my dear, and I'll come presently." + +"Then I will keep a place for you next to me; but you must make haste, +or you will have to come in when we have all set down to supper, and +then you will be so stared at! So don't stay now." + +Cecilia followed Louisa with her eyes till she was out of sight. "And +is Louisa," said she to herself, "the only one who would stop to pity +me? Mrs. Villars told me that this day should be mine; she little +thought how it would end!" Saying these words, Cecilia threw herself +down upon the ground; her arm leaned upon a heap of turf which she had +raised in the morning, and which in the pride and gayety of her heart, +she had called her throne. + +At this instant, Mrs. Villars came out to enjoy the serenity of the +evening, and passing by the arbour where Cecilia lay, she started; +Cecilia rose hastily. + +"Who is there?" said Mrs. Villars. "It is I, madam." "And who is I?" +"Cecilia." "Why, what keeps you here, my dear--where are your +companions? this is, perhaps, one of the happiest days of your life." + +"O no, madam!" said Cecilia, hardly able to repress her tears. + +"Why, my dear, what is the matter?" + +Cecilia hesitated. + +"Speak, my dear. You know that when I ask you to tell me any thing as +your friend, I never punish you as your governess; therefore you need +not be afraid to tell me what is the matter." + +"No, madam, I am not afraid, but ashamed. You asked me why I was not +with my companions. Why, madam, because they have all left me, and----" +"And what, my dear?" "And I see that they all dislike me. And yet I +don't know why they should, for I take as much pains to please as any of +them. All my masters seem satisfied with me; and you yourself, ma'am, +were pleased this very morning to give me this bracelet; and I am sure +you would not have given it to any one who did not deserve it." +"Certainly not. You did deserve it for your application--for your +successful application. The prize was for the most assiduous, not for +the most amiable." "Then if it had been for the most amiable it would +not have been for me?" + +Mrs. Villars, smiling--"Why, what do you think yourself, Cecilia? You +are better able to judge than I am. I can determine whether or no you +apply to what I give you to learn; whether you attend to what I desire +you to do, and avoid what I desire you not to do. I know that I like you +as a pupil, but I cannot know that I should like you as a companion, +unless I were your companion; therefore I must judge of what I should do +by seeing what others do in the same circumstances." + +"O, pray don't, ma'am; for then you would not love me neither. And yet I +think you would love me; for I hope that I am as ready to oblige, and as +good-natured, as----" "Yes, Cecilia, I don't doubt but that you would be +very good-natured to me, but I am afraid that I should not like you +unless you were good-tempered too." "But, ma'am, by good-natured I mean +good-tempered--it's all the same thing." "No, indeed, I understand by +them two very different things. You are good-natured, Cecilia, for you +are desirous to oblige and serve your companions, to gain them praise +and save them from blame, to give them pleasure, and to relieve them +from pain; but Leonora is good-tempered, for she can bear with their +foibles, and acknowledge her own. Without disputing about the right, she +sometimes yields to those who are in the wrong. In short, her temper is +perfectly good, for it can bear and forbear." + +"I wish that mine could," said Cecilia, sighing. + +"It may," replied Mrs. Villars; "but it is not wishes alone which can +improve us in any thing. Turn the same exertion and perseverance which +have won you the prize to-day to this object, and you will meet with the +same success; perhaps not on the first, the second, or the third +attempt, but depend upon it that you will at last; every new effort will +weaken your bad habits and strengthen your good ones. But you must not +expect to succeed all at once; I repeat it to you, for habit must be +counteracted by habit. It would be as extravagant in us to expect that +all our faults could be destroyed by one punishment, were it ever so +severe, as it was in the Roman emperor we were reading of a few days ago +to wish that all the heads of his enemies were upon one neck, that he +might cut them off by one blow." + +Here Mrs. Villars took Cecilia by the hand, and they began to walk home. +Such was the nature of Cecilia's mind, that, when any object was +forcibly impressed on her imagination, it caused a temporary suspension +of her reasoning faculties. Hope was too strong a stimulus for her +spirits; and when fear did take possession of her mind, it was attended +with total debility. Her vanity was now as much mortified as in the +morning it had been elated. She walked on with Mrs. Villars in silence +until they came under the shade of the elm-tree walk, and then, fixing +her eyes upon Mrs. Villars, she stopped short. "Do you think, madam," +said she, with hesitation, "do you think, madam, that I have a bad +heart?" + +"A bad heart, my dear! why, what put that into your head?" + +"Leonora said that I had, ma'am, and I felt ashamed when she said so." + +"But, my dear, how can Leonora tell whether your heart be good or bad? +However, in the first place, tell me what you mean by a bad heart." + +"Indeed, I do not know what is meant by it, ma'am; but it is something +which every body hates." + +"And why do they hate it?" + +"Because they think that it will hurt them, ma'am, I believe; and that +those who have bad hearts take delight in doing mischief; and that they +never do any body good but for their own ends." + +"Then the best definition which you can give me of a bad heart is that +it is some constant propensity to hurt others, and to do wrong for the +sake of doing wrong." + +"Yes, ma'am, but that is not all neither; there is still something else +meant; something which I cannot express--which, indeed, I never +distinctly understood; but of which, therefore, I was the more afraid." + +"Well, then, to begin with what you do understand, tell me, Cecilia, do +you really think it possible to be wicked merely for the love of +wickedness? No human being becomes wicked all at once; a man begins by +doing wrong because it is, or because he thinks it is for his interest; +if he continue to do so, he must conquer his sense of shame, and lose +his love of virtue. But how can you, Cecilia, who feel such a strong +sense of shame, and such an eager desire to improve, imagine that you +have a bad heart?" + +"Indeed, madam, I never did, until every body told me so, and then I +began to be frightened about it. This very evening, ma'am, when I was +in a passion, I threw little Louisa's strawberries away; which, I am +sure, I was very sorry for afterwards; and Leonora and every body cried +out that I had a bad heart; but I am sure that I was only in a passion." + +"Very likely. And when you are in a passion, as you call it, Cecilia, +you see that you are tempted to do harm to others; if they do not feel +angry themselves, they do not sympathize with you; they do not perceive +the motive which actuates you, and then they say that you have a bad +heart. I dare say, however, when your passion is over, and when you +recollect yourself, you are very sorry for what you have done and said; +are not you?" + +"Yes, indeed, madam, very sorry." + +"Then make that sorrow of use to you, Cecilia, and fix it steadily in +your thoughts, as you hope to be good and happy, that, if you suffer +yourself to yield to your passion upon every trifling occasion, anger +and its consequences will become familiar to your mind; and in the same +proportion your sense of shame will be weakened, till what you began +with doing from sudden impulse you will end with doing from habit and +choice; and then you would, indeed, according to our definition, have a +bad heart." + +"Oh, madam! I hope--I am sure I never shall." + +"No, indeed, Cecilia; I do, indeed, believe that you never will; on the +contrary, I think that you have a very good disposition, and, what is of +infinitely more consequence to you, an active desire of improvement. +Show me that you have as much perseverance as you have candour, and I +shall not despair of your becoming every thing that I could wish." + +Here Cecilia's countenance brightened, and she ran up the steps in +almost as high spirits as she ran down them in the morning. + +"Good night to you, Cecilia," said Mrs. Villars, as she was crossing the +hall. "Good night to you, madam," said Cecilia; and she ran up stairs +to bed. + +She could not go to sleep, but she lay awake reflecting upon the events +of the preceding day, and forming resolutions for the future; at the +same time, considering that she had resolved, and resolved without +effect, she wished to give her mind some more powerful motive; ambition +she knew to be its most powerful incentive. + +"Have I not," said she to herself, "already won the prize of +application, and cannot the same application procure me a much higher +prize? Mrs. Villars said that if the prize had been promised to the most +amiable it would not have been given to me; perhaps it would not +yesterday--perhaps it might not to-morrow; but that is no reason that I +should despair of ever deserving it." + +In consequence of this reasoning, Cecilia formed a design of proposing +to her companions that they should give a prize, the first of the +ensuing month (the first of June), to the most amiable. Mrs. Villars +applauded the scheme, and her companions adopted it with the greatest +alacrity. + +"Let the prize," said they, "be a bracelet of our own hair;" and +instantly their shining scissors were procured, and each contributed a +lock of her hair. They formed the most beautiful gradation of colours, +from the palest auburn to the brightest black. Who was to have the +honour of plaiting them was now the question. + +Caroline begged that she might, as she could plait very neatly, she +said. + +Cecilia, however, was equally sure that she could do it much better, and +a dispute would inevitably have ensued, if Cecilia, recollecting herself +just as her colour rose to scarlet, had not yielded--yielded with no +very good grace indeed, but as well as could be expected for the first +time. For it is habit which confers ease; and without ease, even in +moral actions, there can be no grace. + +The bracelet was plaited in the neatest manner by Caroline, finished +round the edge with silver twist, and on it was worked, in the smallest +silver letters, this motto, TO THE MOST AMIABLE. The moment it was +completed, every body begged to try it on. It fastened with little +silver clasps, and as it was made large enough for the eldest girls, it +was too large for the youngest; of this they bitterly complained, and +unanimously entreated that it might be cut to fit them. + +"How foolish!" exclaimed Cecilia. "Don't you perceive that, if you win +it, you have nothing to do but to put the clasps a little further from +the edge? but if we get it, we can't make it larger." + +"Very true," said they, "but you need not to have called us foolish, +Cecilia!" + +It was by such hasty and unguarded expressions as these that Cecilia +offended; a slight difference in the manner makes a very material one in +the effect. Cecilia lost more love by general petulance than she could +gain by the greatest particular exertions. + +How far she succeeded in curing herself of this defect, how far she +became deserving of the bracelet, and to whom the bracelet was given, +shall be told in the history of the first of June. + + + + +CONTINUATION OF THE BRACELETS. + + +The first of June was now arrived, and all the young competitors were in +a state of the most anxious suspense. Leonora and Cecilia continued to +be the foremost candidates; their quarrel had never been finally +adjusted, and their different pretensions now retarded all thoughts of a +reconciliation. Cecilia, though she was capable of acknowledging any of +her faults in public before all her companions, could not humble herself +in private to Leonora; Leonora was her equal, they were her inferiors; +and submission is much easier to a vain mind, where it appears to be +voluntary, than when it is the necessary tribute to justice or candour. +So strongly did Cecilia feel this truth that she even delayed making any +apology, or coming to any explanation with Leonora, until success should +once more give her the palm. + +If I win the bracelet to-day, said she to herself, I will solicit the +return of Leonora's friendship; it will be more valuable to me than even +the bracelet; and at such a time, and asked in such a manner, she surely +cannot refuse it to me. Animated with this hope of a double triumph, +Cecilia canvassed with the most zealous activity; by constant attention +and exertion she had considerably abated the violence of her temper, and +changed the course of her habits. Her powers of pleasing were now +excited, instead of her abilities to excel; and, if her talents appeared +less brilliant, her character was acknowledged to be more amiable; so +great an influence upon our manners and conduct have the objects of our +ambition. Cecilia was now, if possible, more than ever desirous of +doing what was right, but she had not yet acquired sufficient fear of +doing wrong. This was the fundamental error of her mind; it arose in a +great measure from her early education. + +Her mother died when she was very young; and though her father had +supplied her place in the best and kindest manner, he had insensibly +infused into his daughter's mind a portion of that enterprising, +independent spirit, which he justly deemed essential to the character of +her brother. This brother was some years older than Cecilia, but he had +always been the favourite companion of her youth; what her father's +precepts inculcated, his example enforced, and even Cecilia's virtues +consequently became such as were more estimable in a man than desirable +in a female. + +All small objects and small errors she had been taught to disregard as +trifles; and her impatient disposition was perpetually leading her into +more material faults; yet her candour in confessing these, she had been +suffered to believe, was sufficient reparation and atonement. + +Leonora, on the contrary, who had been educated by her mother in a +manner more suited to her sex, had a character and virtues more peculiar +to a female; her judgment had been early cultivated, and her good sense +employed in the regulation of her conduct; she had been habituated to +that restraint, which, as a woman, she was to expect in life, and early +accustomed to yield; compliance in her seemed natural and graceful. + +Yet, notwithstanding the gentleness of her temper, she was in reality +more independent than Cecilia; she had more reliance upon her own +judgment, and more satisfaction in her own approbation. Though far from +insensible to praise, she was not liable to be misled by the +indiscriminate love of admiration; the uniform kindness of her manner, +the consistency and equality of her character, had fixed the esteem and +passive love of her companions. + +By passive love, we mean that species of affection which makes us +unwilling to offend, rather than anxious to oblige; which is more a +habit than an emotion of the mind. For Cecilia, her companions felt +active love, for she was active in showing her love to them. + +Active love arises spontaneously in the mind, after feeling particular +instances of kindness, without reflection on the past conduct or general +character; it exceeds the merits of its object, and is connected with a +feeling of generosity, rather than with a sense of justice. + +Without determining which species of love is the more flattering to +others, we can easily decide which is the most agreeable feeling to our +own minds; we give our hearts more credit for being generous than for +being just; and we feel more self-complacency when we give our love +voluntarily, than when we yield it as a tribute which we cannot +withhold. Though Cecilia's companions might not know all this in theory, +they proved it in practice; for they loved her in a much higher +proportion to her merits than they loved Leonora. + +Each of the young judges were to signify their choice by putting a red +or a white shell into a vase prepared for the purpose. Cecilia's colour +was red, Leonora's white. In the morning nothing was to be seen but +these shells, nothing talked of but the long-expected event of the +evening. Cecilia, following Leonora's example, had made it a point of +honour not to inquire of any individual her vote previous to their final +determination. + +They were both sitting together in Louisa's room; Louisa was recovering +from the measles. Every one, during her illness, had been desirous of +attending her; but Leonora and Cecilia were the only two that were +permitted to see her, as they alone had had the distemper. They were +both assiduous in their care of Louisa; but Leonora's want of exertion +to overcome any disagreeable feelings of sensibility often deprived her +of presence of mind, and prevented her being so constantly useful as +Cecilia. Cecilia, on the contrary, often made too much noise and bustle +with her officious assistance, and was too anxious to invent amusements +and procure comforts for Louisa, without perceiving that illness takes +away the power of enjoying them. + +As she was sitting in the window in the morning, exerting herself to +entertain Louisa, she heard the voice of an old pedlar who often used to +come to the house. Down stairs she ran immediately to ask Mrs. Villars's +permission to bring him into the hall. + +Mrs. Villars consented, and away Cecilia ran to proclaim the news to her +companions; then first returning into the hall, she found the pedlar +just unbuckling his box, and taking it off his shoulders. "What would +you be pleased to want, Miss?" said he. "I've all kinds of +tweezer-cases, rings, and lockets of all sorts," continued he, opening +all the glittering drawers successively. + +"Oh!" said Cecilia, shutting the drawer of lockets which tempted her +most, "these are not the things which I want; have you any china +figures, any mandarins?" + +"Alack-a-day, Miss, I had a great stock of that same china ware, but now +I'm quite out of them kind of things; but I believe," said he, rummaging +in one of the deepest drawers, "I believe I have one left, and here it +is." + +"Oh, that is the very thing! what's its price?" + +"Only three shillings, ma'am." Cecilia paid the money, and was just +going to carry off the mandarin, when the pedlar took out of his +great-coat pocket a neat mahogany case; it was about a foot long, and +fastened at each end by two little clasps; it had besides a small lock +in the middle. + +"What is that?" said Cecilia, eagerly. + +"It's only a china figure, Miss, which I am going to carry to an +elderly lady, who lives nigh at hand, and who is mighty fond of such +things." + +"Could you let me look at it?" + +"And welcome, Miss," said he, and opened the case. + +"O goodness! how beautiful!" exclaimed Cecilia. + +It was a figure of Flora, crowned with roses, and carrying a basket of +flowers in her hand. Cecilia contemplated it with delight. "How I should +like to give this to Louisa," said she to herself; and at last breaking +silence, "Did you promise it to the old lady?" + +"O no, Miss; I didn't promise it--she never saw it; and if so be that +you'd like to take it, I'd make no more words about it." + +"And how much does it cost?" + +"Why, Miss, as to that, I'll let you have it for half-a-guinea." + +[Illustration] + +Cecilia immediately produced the box in which she kept her treasure, and +emptying it upon the table, she began to count the shillings; alas! +there were but six shillings. "How provoking!" said she; "then I can't +have it--where's the mandarin? O I have it," said she, taking it up, and +looking at it with the utmost disgust. "Is this the same that I had +before?" + +"Yes, Miss, the very same," replied the pedlar, who, during this time, +had been examining the little box out of which Cecilia had taken her +money; it was of silver. + +"Why, ma'am," said he, "since you've taken such a fancy to the piece, if +you've a mind to make up the remainder of the money, I will take this +here little box, if you care to part with it." + +Now this box was a keepsake from Leonora to Cecilia. "No," said Cecilia +hastily, blushing a little, and stretching out her hand to receive it. + +"Oh, Miss!" said he, returning it carelessly, "I hope there's no +offence; I meant but to serve you, that's all. Such a rare piece of +china-work has no cause to go a begging," added he, putting the Flora +deliberately into the case; then turning the key with a jerk, he let it +drop into his pocket, and lifting up his box by the leather straps, he +was preparing to depart. + +"Oh, stay one minute!" said Cecilia, in whose mind there had passed a +very warm conflict during the pedlar's harangue. "Louisa would so like +this Flora," said she, arguing with herself; "besides, it would be so +generous in me to give it to her instead of that ugly mandarin; that +would be doing only common justice, for I promised it to her, and she +expects it. Though, when I come to look at this mandarin, it is not even +so good as hers was; the gilding is all rubbed off, so that I absolutely +must buy this for her. O yes, I will, and she will be so delighted! and +then every body will say it is the prettiest thing they ever saw, and +the broken mandarin will be forgotten forever." + +Here Cecilia's hand moved, and she was just going to decide: "O! but +stop," said she to herself; "consider Leonora gave me this box, and it +is a keepsake; however, now we have quarreled, and I dare say that she +would not mind my parting with it; I'm sure that I should not care if +she was to give away my keepsake the smelling bottle, or the ring which +I gave her; so what does it signify; besides, is it not my own, and have +I not a right to do what I please with it?" + +At this dangerous instant for Cecilia, a party of her companions opened +the door; she knew that they came as purchasers, and she dreaded her +Flora's becoming the prize of some higher bidder. "Here," said she, +hastily putting the box into the pedlar's hand, without looking at it; +"take it, and give me the Flora." Her hand trembled, though she snatched +it impatiently; she ran by, without seeming to mind any of her +companions--she almost wished to turn back. + +Let those who are tempted to do wrong by the hopes of future +gratification, or the prospect of certain concealment and impunity, +remember that, unless they are totally depraved, they bear in their own +hearts a monitor who will prevent their enjoying what they have ill +obtained. + +In vain Cecilia ran to the rest of her companions, to display her +present, in hopes that the applause of others would restore her own +self-complacency; in vain she saw the Flora pass in due pomp from hand +to hand, each viewing with the other in extolling the beauty of the gift +and the generosity of the giver. Cecilia was still displeased with +herself, with them, and even with their praise; from Louisa's gratitude, +however, she yet expected much pleasure, and immediately she ran up +stairs to her room. + +In the mean time Leonora had gone into the hall to buy a bodkin; she had +just broken hers. In giving her change, the pedlar took out of his +pocket, with some half-pence, the very box which Cecilia had sold him. +Leonora did not in the least suspect the truth, for her mind was above +suspicion; and besides, she had the utmost confidence in Cecilia. "I +should like to have that box," said she, "for it is like one of which I +was very fond." + +The pedlar named the price, and Leonora took the box; she intended to +give it to little Louisa. + +On going to her room she found her asleep, and she sat down softly by +her bed-side. Louisa opened her eyes. + +"I hope I didn't disturb you," said Leonora. + +"O no; I didn't hear you come in; but what have you got there?" + +"It is only a little box; would you like to have it? I bought it on +purpose for you, as I thought perhaps it would please you; because it's +like that which I gave Cecilia." + +"O yes! that out of which she used to give me Barbary drops. I am very +much obliged to you. I always thought _that_ exceedingly pretty; and +this, indeed, is as like it as possible. I can't unscrew it; will you +try?" + +Leonora unscrewed it. + +"Goodness!" exclaimed Louisa, "this must be Cecilia's box; look, don't +you see a great L at the bottom of it?" + +Leonora's colour changed. "Yes," she replied calmly, "I see that, but it +is no proof that it is Cecilia's; you know that I bought this box just +now of the pedlar." + +"That may be," said Louisa; "but I remember scratching that L with my +own needle, and Cecilia scolded me for it, too. Do go and ask her if she +has lost her box--do," repeated Louisa, pulling her by the sleeve, as +she did not seem to listen. + +Leonora indeed did not hear, for she was lost in thought; she was +comparing circumstances, which had before escaped her attention. She +recollected that Cecilia had passed her as she came into the hall, +without seeming to see her, but had blushed as she passed. She +remembered that the pedlar appeared unwilling to part with the box, and +was going to put it again into his pocket with the half-pence; "and why +should he keep it in his pocket and not show it with his other things?" +Combining all these circumstances, Leonora had no longer any doubt of +the truth; for though she had honourable confidence in her friends, she +had too much penetration to be implicitly credulous. "Louisa," she +began, but at this instant she heard a step, which, by its quickness, +she knew to be Cecilia's, coming along the passage. "If you love me, +Louisa," said Leonora, "say nothing about the box." + +"Nay, but why not? I dare say she has lost it." + +"No, my dear, I am afraid she has not." Louisa looked surprised. + +"But I have reasons for desiring you not to say any thing about it." + +"Well, then, I won't, indeed." + +Cecilia opened the door, came forward smiling, as if secure of a good +reception, and, taking the Flora out of the case, she placed it on the +mantel-piece, opposite to Louisa's bed. "Dear, how beautiful," cried +Louisa, starting up. + +"Yes," said Cecilia, "and guess who it's for?" + +"For me, perhaps!" said the ingenuous Louisa. + +"Yes, take it, and keep it for my sake; you know that I broke your +mandarin." + +"O! but this is a great deal prettier and larger than that." + +"Yes, I know it is; and I meant that it should be so. I should only have +done what I was bound to do if I had only given you a mandarin." + +"Well, and that would have been enough, surely; but what a beautiful +crown of roses! and then that basket of flowers! they almost look as if +I could smell them. Dear Cecilia! I'm very much obliged to you, but I +won't take it by way of payment for the mandarin you broke; for I'm sure +you could not help that; and, besides, I should have broken it myself by +this time. You shall give it to me entirely, and I'll keep it as long as +I live as your keepsake." + +Louisa stopped short and coloured. The word keepsake recalled the box +to her mind, and all the train of ideas which the Flora had banished. +"But," said she, looking up wishfully in Cecilia's face, and holding the +Flora doubtfully, "did you----" + +Leonora, who was just quitting the room, turned her head back, and gave +Louisa a look, which silenced her. + +Cecilia was so infatuated with her vanity, that she neither perceived +Leonora's sign, nor Louisa's confusion, but continued showing off her +present, by placing it in various situations, till at length she put it +into the case, and laying it down with an affected carelessness upon the +bed, "I must go now, Louisa. Good bye," said she, running up and kissing +her; "but I'll come again presently;" then clapping the door after her, +she went. + +But as soon as the fermentation of her spirits subsided, the sense of +shame, which had been scarcely felt when mixed with so many other +sensations, rose uppermost in her mind. "What?" said she to herself, +"is it possible that I have sold what I promised to keep for ever? and +what Leonora gave me? and I have concealed it too, and have been making +a parade of my generosity. O! what would Leonora, what would Louisa, +what would every body think of me, if the truth were known?" + +Humiliated and grieved by these reflections, Cecilia began to search in +her own mind for some consoling idea. She began to compare her conduct +with the conduct of others of her own age; and at length, fixing her +comparison upon her brother George, as the companion of whom, from her +infancy, she had been habitually the most emulous, she recollected that +an almost similar circumstance had once happened to him, and that he had +not only escaped disgrace, but had acquired glory by an intrepid +confession of his fault. Her father's words to her brother, on that +occasion, she also perfectly recollected. + +"Come to me, George," he said, holding out his hand; "you are a +generous, brave boy. They who dare to confess their faults will make +great and good men." + +These were his words; but Cecilia, in repeating them to herself, forgot +to lay that emphasis on the word _men_, which would have placed it in +contradistinction to the word women. She willingly believed that the +observation extended equally to both sexes, and flattered herself that +she should exceed her brother in merit, if she owned a fault which she +thought that it would be so much more difficult to confess. "Yes, but," +said she, stopping herself, "how can I confess it? This very evening, in +a few hours, the prize will be decided; Leonora or I shall win it. I +have now as good a chance as Leonora, perhaps a better; and must I give +up all my hopes? all that I have been labouring for this month past! O, +I never can;--if it were to-morrow, or yesterday, or any day but this, I +would not hesitate, but now I am almost certain of the prize, and if I +win it--well, why then I will--I think, I will tell all--yes, I will; I +am determined," said Cecilia. + +Here a bell summoned them to dinner. Leonora sat opposite to her, and +she was not a little surprised to see Cecilia look so gay and +unrestrained. "Surely," said she to herself, "if Cecilia had done this, +that I suspect, she would not, she could not look as she does." But +Leonora little knew the cause of her gayety; Cecilia was never in higher +spirits, or better pleased with herself, than when she had resolved upon +a sacrifice or a confession. + +"Must not this evening be given to the most amiable? Whose, then, will +it be?" All eyes glanced first at Cecilia and then at Leonora. Cecilia +smiled; Leonora blushed. "I see that it is not yet decided," said Mrs. +Villars; and immediately they ran up stairs, amidst confused +whisperings. + +Cecilia's voice could be distinguished far above the rest. "How can she +be so happy?" said Leonora to herself. "O, Cecilia, there was a time +when you could not have neglected me so!--when we were always together, +the best of friends and companions, our wishes, tastes, and pleasures +the same. Surely she did once love me," said Leonora; "but now she is +quite changed. She has even sold my keepsake, and would rather win a +bracelet of hair from girls whom she did not always think so much +superior to Leonora, than have my esteem, my confidence, and my +friendship, for her whole life; yes, for her whole life, for I am sure +she will be an amiable woman. Oh that this bracelet had never been +thought of, or that I was certain of her winning it; for I am certain +that I do not wish to win it from her. I would rather, a thousand times +rather, that we were as we used to be, than have all the glory in the +world. And how pleasing Cecilia can be when she wishes to please! how +candid she is! how much she can improve herself!--let me be just, +though she has offended me--she is wonderfully improved within this last +month; for one fault, and _that_ against myself, should I forget all her +merits?" + +As Leonora said these last words, she could but just hear the voices of +her companions; they had left her alone in the gallery. She knocked +softly at Louisa's door----"Come in," said Louisa. "I in not asleep. Oh," +said she, starting up with the Flora in her hand, the instant that the +door was opened. "I'm so glad you are come, Leonora, for I did so long +to hear what you were all making such a noise about--have you forgot +that the bracelet----" + +"O yes! is this the evening?" + +"Well, here's my white shell for you. I've kept it in my pocket this +fortnight; and though Cecilia did give me this Flora, I still love you a +great deal better." + +"I thank you, Louisa," said Leonora, gratefully. "I will take your +shell, and I shall value it as long as I live. But here is a red one, +and if you wish to show me that you love me, you will give this to +Cecilia. I know that she is particularly anxious for your preference, +and I am sure that she deserves it." + +"Yes, if I could I would choose both of you; but you know I can only +choose which I like the best." + +"If you mean, my dear Louisa," said Leonora, "that you like me the best, +I am very much obliged to you; for, indeed I wish you to love me; but it +is enough for me to know it in private. I should not feel the least more +pleasure at hearing it in public, or in having it made known to all my +companions, especially at a time when it would give poor Cecilia a great +deal of pain." + +"But why should it give her pain? I don't like her for being jealous of +you." + +"Nay, Louisa, surely you don't think Cecilia jealous; she only tries to +excel and to please. She is more anxious to succeed than I am, it is +true, because she has a great deal more activity, and perhaps more +ambition; and it would really mortify her to lose this prize. You know +that she proposed it herself; it has been her object for this month +past, and I am sure she has taken great pains to obtain it." + +"But, dear Leonora, why should you lose it?" + +"Indeed, my dear, it would be no loss to me; and, if it were, I would +willingly suffer it for Cecilia; for, though we seem not to be such good +friends as we used to be, I love her very much, and she will love me +again, I'm sure she will; when she no longer fears me as a rival, she +will again love me as a friend." + +Here Leonora heard a number of her companions running along the gallery. +They all knocked hastily at the door, calling, "Leonora! Leonora! will +you never come? Cecilia has been with us this half hour." + +Leonora smiled. "Well, Louisa," said she, smiling, "will you promise +me?" + +"O, I'm sure, by the way they speak to you, that they won't give you +the prize!" said the little Louisa; and the tears started into her eyes. + +"They love me though, for all that; and as for the prize, you know whom +I wish to have it." + +"Leonora! Leonora!" called her impatient companions; "don't you hear us? +What are you about?" + +"O, she never will take any trouble about any thing," said one of the +party; "let's go away." + +"O go! go! make haste," cried Louisa; "don't stay, they are so angry--I +will, I will, indeed!" + +"Remember, then, that you have promised me," said Leonora, and she left +the room. During all this time Cecilia had been in the garden with her +companions. The ambition which she had felt to win the first prize, the +prize of superior talents and superior application, was not to be +compared to the absolute anxiety which she now expressed to win this +simple testimony of the love and approbation of her equals and rivals. + +To employ her exuberant activity, she had been dragging branches of +lilacs, and laburnums, roses, and sweet-briar, to ornament the bower in +which her fate was to be decided. It was excessively hot, but her mind +was engaged, and she was indefatigable. She stood still, at last, to +admire her works; her companions all joined in loud applause. They were +not a little prejudiced in her favour by the great eagerness which she +expressed to win their prize, and by the great importance which she +seemed to affix to the preference of each individual. At last, "Where is +Leonora?" cried one of them, and immediately, as we have seen, they ran +to call her. + +Cecilia was left alone. Overcome with heat and too violent exertion, she +had hardly strength to support herself; each moment appeared to her +intolerably long; she was in a state of the utmost suspense, and all her +courage failed her; even hope forsook her, and hope is a cordial which +leaves the mind depressed and enfeebled. "The time is now come," said +Cecilia; "in a few moments it will be decided. In a few moments! +goodness! how much I do hazard! If I should not win the prize, how shall +I confess what I have done? How shall I beg Leonora to forgive me? I, +who hoped to restore my friendship to her as an honour!--they are gone +to seek for her--the moment she appears I shall be forgotten--what +shall--what shall I do?" said Cecilia, covering her face with her hands. + +Such was her situation, when Leonora, accompanied by her companions, +opened the hall-door; they most of them ran forward to Cecilia. As +Leonora came into the bower, she held out her hand to Cecilia----"We +are not rivals, but friends, I hope," said she. Cecilia clasped her +hand, but she was in too great agitation to speak. + +The table was now set in the arbour--the vase was now placed in the +middle. "Well!" said Cecilia, eagerly, "who begins?" Caroline, one of +her friends, came forward first, and then all the others successively. +Cecilia's emotion was hardly conceivable.----"Now they are all in. +Count them, Caroline!" + +"One, two, three, four; the numbers are both equal." There was a dead +silence. + +"No, they are not," exclaimed Cecilia, pressing forward and putting +a shell into the vase----"I have not given mine, and I give it to +Leonora." Then snatching the bracelet, "It is yours, Leonora," said she; +"take it, and give me back your friendship." The whole assembly gave a +universal clap and shout of applause. + +"I cannot be surprised at this from you, Cecilia," said Leonora; "and do +you then still love me as you used to do?" + +"O Leonora! stop! don't praise me; I don't deserve this," said she, +turning to her loudly applauding companions; "you will soon despise +me--O Leonora, you will never forgive me!--I have deceived you--I have +sold----" + +At this instant Mrs. Villars appeared--the crowd divided--she had heard +all that passed from her window. + +"I applaud your generosity, Cecilia," said she, "but I am to tell you +that in this instance it is unsuccessful; you have it not in your power +to give the prize to Leonora--it is yours--I have another vote to give +you--you have forgotten Louisa." + +"Louisa! but surely, ma'am, Louisa loves Leonora better than she does +me!" + +"She commissioned me, however," said Mrs. Villars, "to give you a red +shell, and you will find it in this box." + +Cecilia started, and turned as pale as death--it was the fatal box. + +Mrs. Villars produced another box--she opened it--it contained the +Flora--"And Louisa also desired me," said she, "to return you this +Flora"--she put it into Cecilia's hand--Cecilia trembled so that she +could not hold it; Leonora caught it. + +"O, madam! O, Leonora!" exclaimed Cecilia; "now I have no hope left. I +intended, I was just going to tell----" + +"Dear Cecilia," said Leonora, "you need not tell it me; I know it +already, and I forgive you with all my heart." + +"Yes, I can prove to you," said Mrs. Villars, "that Leonora has forgiven +you: it is she who has given you the prize; it was she who persuaded +Louisa to give you her vote. I went to see her a little while ago, and +perceiving, by her countenance, that something was the matter, I pressed +her to tell me what it was. + +"'Why, madam,' said she, 'Leonora has made me promise to give my shell +to Cecilia. Now I don't love Cecilia half so well as I do Leonora; +besides, I would not have Cecilia think I vote for her because she gave +me a Flora.' Whilst Louisa was speaking," continued Mrs. Villars, "I saw +the silver box lying on the bed; I took it up, and asked if it was not +yours, and how she came by it. + +"'Indeed, madam,' said Louisa, 'I could have been almost certain that +it was Cecilia's; but Leonora gave it me, and she said that she bought +it of the pedlar this morning. If any body else had told me so, I could +not have believed them, because I remembered the box so well; but I +can't help believing Leonora.' + +"'But did you not ask Cecilia about it?' said I. + +"'No, madam,' replied Louisa, 'for Leonora forbade me.' + +"I guessed her reason. 'Well,' said I, 'give me the box, and I will +carry your shell in it to Cecilia.' + +"'Then, madam,' said she, 'if I must give it her, pray do take the +Flora, and return it to her first, that she may not think it is for that +I do it.'" + +"O, generous Leonora!" exclaimed Cecilia; "but indeed, Louisa, I cannot +take your shell." + +"Then, dear Cecilia, accept of mine instead of it; you cannot refuse +it--I only follow your example. As for the bracelet," added Leonora, +taking Cecilia's hand, "I assure you I don't wish for it, and you do, +and you deserve it." + +"No," said Cecilia, "indeed I do not deserve it; next to you, surely, +Louisa deserves it best." + +"Louisa! O yes, Louisa," exclaimed every body with one voice. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Villars, "and let Cecilia carry the bracelet to her; +she deserves that reward. For one fault I cannot forget all your merits, +Cecilia; nor, I am sure, will your companions." + +"Then, surely, not your best friend," said Leonora, kissing her. + +Every body present was moved--they looked up to Leonora with respectful +and affectionate admiration. + +"O, Leonora, how I love you! and how I wish to be like you!" exclaimed +Cecilia; "to be as good, as generous!" + +"Rather wish, Cecilia," interrupted Mrs. Villars, "to be as just; to be +as strictly honourable, and as invariably consistent. + +"Remember that many of our sex are capable of great efforts, of making +what they call great sacrifices to virtue or to friendship; but few +treat their friends with habitual gentleness, or uniformly conduct +themselves with prudence and good sense." + + +THE END. + + + + +A +CATALOGUE +OF +ILLUSTRATED AND ENTERTAINING +JUVENILE WORKS. + +[Illustration] + +LITTLE ANNIE'S FIRST BOOK, +CHIEFLY IN WORDS OF THREE LETTERS. + +By Her Mother. + +Illustrated with Seventy Designs. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + +This little volume will commend itself to parents, as a book for +children who have just mastered the alphabet. + + * * * * * + +THE +TRAVELS +AND +EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES +OF +BOB THE SQUIRREL. + +Illustrated with Twelve Engravings +by Distinguished Artists. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + +Bob's adventures are full of interest, and no child can fail to be +amused and permanently benefited by the perusal of them. The book is +designed for a child from six to ten years of age. + + * * * * * + +CLARA'S AMUSEMENTS. + +"Oh, happy childhood! whose sweet fruits of pleasure Are plucked in the +safe garden of thy home."--M.S. + +By Mrs. Anna Bache. + +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated with Original Designs. + +Price 50 cents. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +THE BLOSSOMS OF MORALITY; +INTENDED FOR THE AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE. + +Illustrated with Twenty-three Designs by Darley. + +One Volume 15mo. Price 38 cts. + + * * * * * + +HOLIDAY HOUSE: +A SERIES OF TALES + +By Miss Sinclair. + +From the third London Edition. + +Prettily illustrated by Croome. + +One Volume 16mo. Price 75 cents. + +"We find in this volume, as in all of Miss Sinclair's other productions, +the same lively intellect, the same buoyant good humour, the same easy +and vigorous style, the same happy talent for observation and +description, the same warfare against the fashionable follies of the +day, and the same assiduity in inculcating the lessons of morality and +religion."--_Edinburgh Advertiser_. + + * * * * * + +THE +LIFE AND WANDERINGS +OF +A MOUSE + +Illustrated with Ten Designs by Croome. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + +"An instructive and amusing volume, that will be read by every child +with pleasure." + + * * * * * + +THE CHILD'S OWN STORY BOOK; +OR, TALES AND DIALOGUES FOR THE NURSERY. + +BY Mrs. Jerram. + +Illustrated with Numerous Engravings. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +THE CHILD'S DELIGHT; +A GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS. + +Edited by a lady. + +Prettily Illustrated with Coloured Steel Engravings, +Designed by Croome. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + + * * * * * + +MARIA EDGEWORTH'S +CHEAP JUVENILE WORKS. + + * * * * * + +WASTE NOT, WANT NOT; +OR, +TWO STRINGS TO YOUR BOW. + +By Maria Edgeworth. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +LAZY LAWRENCE; +OR, +INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS CONTRASTED. + +By Maria Edgeworth. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +THE BRACELETS; +OR, +AMIABILITY AND INDUSTRY REWARDED. + +By Maria Edgeworth. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +THE FIRESIDE STORY BOOK; +CONTAINING +"LAZY LAWRENCE" "WASTE NOT, WANT NOT," AND "THE BRACELETS." + +Elegantly Illustrated. + +One Volume 16mo. Price 50 cents. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +MAMMA'S BIBLE STORIES +FOR HER +LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS. + +A SERIES OF READING LESSONS TAKEN FROM THE BIBLE, AND +ADAPTED TO THE CAPACITIES OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN. + +Illustrated with Numerous Engravings. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents + + * * * * * + +GRANDMAMMA EASY'S +BEAUTIFUL TOY BOOKS, +FOR ALL GOOD CHILDREN. + +Very large size, printed on very large type, and elegantly +coloured, with gilt edges. + +Put up in wrappers, each containing one dozen. + +Price $1.50 per Dozen. + +CONTENTS. + +New Story about Little Tom Thumb and his Mother. +New Little Stories about the Alphabet. +Merry Multiplication. +New Story about Old Daddy Longlegs. +New Story about Little Jack Horner, and of what his Pie was made. +Michaelmas Day, or the Fate of poor Molly Goosey. +Alderman's Feast: A new Alphabet. +New Story about the Queen of Hearts, and the Stolen Tarts. +New Pictorial Bible Alphabet. +Toy Shop Drolleries, or Wonders of a Toy Shop. +Travels of Matty Macaroni, the Little Organ Boy. +New Story of Joseph and his Brethren. + + * * * * * + +VERY LITTLE TALES FOR VERY LITTLE CHILDREN. + +In single syllables of three and four letters. Large and bold type. + +With Numerous Illustrations. + +Two Volumes 32mo. Price 75 cents. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +LITTLE LESSONS FOR LITTLE LEARNERS. + +In words of one syllable. + +By Mrs. Barwell, +Author of "Mamma's Bible Stories." + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + + * * * * * + +POPULAR TALES. + +By Maria Edgeworth. + +With Original Designs by Croome. + +CONTENTS. + +MURAD THE UNLUCKY. +THE MANUFACTURERS. +THE CONTRAST. +THE GRATEFUL NEGRO. +TO-MORROW. + +One Volume 16mo. Price 75 cents. + +"The writings of Maria Edgeworth have rarely been approached, and none +have excelled her. Her stories are so natural, and are told with such +truthfulness, that the reader becomes completely captivated." + + * * * * * + +MORAL TALES. + +By Maria Edgeworth. + +Embellished with Original Designs by Darley. + +Price 75 cents. + +"If we wished to do a young person good while offering amusement, to +improve the heart while engaging the attention, and to give him or her +little books which convey no false or distorted notions of life--Maria +Edgeworth is our author."--_Post_. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +DIVINE AND MORAL SONGS, +FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN + +By Isaac Watts, D.D. + +Illustrated with 24 Engravings in the Highest Style of Art. + +One elegant Volume, 16mo. Price 75 cts. + +"This will be a constant furniture for the minds of children, that they +may have something to think of when alone, and sing over to themselves. +This may sometimes give their thoughts a divine turn, and raise a young +meditation. Thus they will not be forced to seek relief for an emptiness +of mind out of the loose and dangerous sonnets of the age."--_Extract +from Author's Preface_. + + * * * * * + +MRS. SHERWOOD'S +PRETTILY ILUSTRATED JUVENILES. + + * * * * * + +DUTY IS SAFETY; +OR, +TROUBLESOME TOM. + +By Mrs. Sherwood. + +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. + +By Mrs. Sherwood. + +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +JACK, THE SAILOR BOY. + +By Mrs. Sherwood. + +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +CLEVER STORIES FOR CLEVER BOYS AND GIRLS. + +Containing + +"Think before you Act," "Jack, the Sailor Boy," "Duty is Safety." + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. + + * * * * * + +THE PRIZE STORY BOOK; +CONSISTING CHIEFLY OF +TALES TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN, FRENCH, AND ITALIAN, +TOGETHER WITH +SELECT TALES FROM THE ENGLISH. + +Illustrated with Numerous Designs. + +One Volume square 16mo. Half cloth 50 cts.; cloth extra 63 cts. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +GEORGE'S JOURNEY +TO THE +LAND OF HAPPINESS. + +By a Lady. + +Illustrated with Sixteen Coloured Engravings. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + + * * * * * + +THE BOOK OF ANIMALS; +INTENDED FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT AND INSTRUCTION +OF +YOUNG PEOPLE. + +By R. Bilby. + +Illustrated with Twelve Designs of Animals. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + +This volume is intended both as a useful and entertaining book for the +young, abounding with Anecdotes of the Quadrupeds, and illustrated with +numerous well executed designs. + + * * * * * + +THE HAPPY CHILDREN; +A TALE OF HOME +FOR +YOUNG PEOPLE. + +Illustrated with Elegant Engravings. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. + +A very interesting volume for children from six to twelve years of age. + + * * * * * + +RHYMES FOR THE NURSERY. + +By the Author of "Original Poems." + +Illustrated with Sixteen Designs. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. plain; 63 cts. coloured. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +HOLIDAY TALES. +CONTAINING PLEASING STORIES FOR THE YOUNG. + +Prettily Illustrated. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price in half cloth, 25 cents; cloth gilt, +38 cents. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +UNCLE JOHN'S +FANCY PICTURE BOOKS. + +In a new and unique style, +put up in dozens assorted. Six kinds. + +CONTENTS. + +UNCLE JOHN'S PICTURE BIBLE ALPHABET. +UNCLE JOHN'S STORY OF BOB. +UNCLE JOHN'S STORY OF DOWNEY THE MOUSE. +UNCLE JOHN'S STORIES OF ANIMALS. +UNCLE JOHN'S BIBLE STORIES. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bracelets, by Maria Edgeworth + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11121 *** diff --git a/11121-h/11121-h.htm b/11121-h/11121-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f3c774d --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/11121-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1935 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title> +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Bracelets, by Maria Edgeworth. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- + body {margin-left: 12%; margin-right: 12%; background-color: white} + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5{text-align: center; } + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + .toc { text-align: center;} + .ctr { text-align: center; } +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11121 ***</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="image-1"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/bracelets.jpg" width="126" height="169" +alt="The Bracelets. Edgeworth" > +</p> +<p> </p> +<a name="image-2"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/girls.jpg" width="196" height="247" +alt="Two girls" > +</p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>THE BRACELETS;</h1> +<h2>OR,<br /> +AMIABILITY AND INDUSTRY REWARDED. +</h2> +<p> </p> + +<h3> +BY<br /> +MARIA EDGEWORTH, +</h3> +<h4> +AUTHOR OF "POPULAR TALES," "MORAL TALES," ETC. ETC. +</h4> +<h3> +With Illustrations from Original Designs. +</h3> +<p> </p> + + +<h4> +1850. +</h4> +<p> </p> + +<h2> +CONTENTS +</h2> +<p class="toc"><a href="#CH1">THE BRACELETS.</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#CH1">CONTINUATION OF THE BRACELETS.</a></p> +<p> </p> +<h2> +ILLUSTRATIONS +</h2> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-1"> +The Bracelets. Edgeworth +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-2"> +Two girls +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-3"> +Treasure box +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-4"> +Appleton List of Books +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-5"> +Blossoms of Morality +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-6"> +Child's Own Story Book +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-7"> +Mamma's Bible Stories +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-8"> +Very Little Tales for Very Little Children +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-9"> +Divine and Moral Songs +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-10"> +The Prize Story Book +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-11"> +Rhymes for The Nursery +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-12"> +Uncle John's Fancy Picture Books +</a></p> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="toc"> +<h3> +<a name="CH1">THE BRACELETS.</a> +</h3> +<p> +In a beautiful and retired part of England lived Mrs. Villars, a lady +whose accurate understanding, benevolent heart, and steady temper, +peculiarly fitted her for the most difficult, as well as most important +of all occupations—the education of youth. This task she had +undertaken; and twenty young persons were put under her care, with the +perfect confidence of their parents. No young people could be happier; +they were good and gay, emulous, but not envious of each other; for Mrs. +Villars was impartially just. Her praise they felt to be the reward of +merit, and her blame they knew to be the necessary consequence of ill +conduct; to the one, therefore, they patiently submitted, and in the +other consciously rejoiced. They rose with fresh cheerfulness in the +morning, eager to pursue their various occupations; they returned in the +evening with renewed ardour to their amusements, and retired to rest +satisfied with themselves and pleased with each other. +</p> +<p> +Nothing so much contributed to preserve a spirit of emulation in this +little society as a small honorary distinction given annually, as the +prize of successful application. The prize this year was peculiarly dear +to each individual, as it was the picture of a friend whom they all +dearly loved—it was the picture of Mrs. Villars in a small bracelet. It +wanted neither gold, pearls, nor precious stones, to give it value. +</p> +<p> +The two foremost candidates for the prize were Cecilia and Leonora. +Cecilia was the most intimate friend of Leonora, but Leonora was only +the favourite companion of Cecilia. +</p> +<p> +Cecilia was of an active, ambitious, enterprising disposition; more +eager in the pursuit than happy in the enjoyment of her wishes. Leonora +was of a contented, unaspiring, temperate character, not easily roused +to action, but indefatigable when once excited. Leonora was proud, +Cecilia was vain. Her vanity made her more dependent upon the +approbation of others, and therefore more anxious to please, than +Leonora; but that very vanity made her, at the same time, more apt to +offend. In short, Leonora was the most anxious to avoid what was wrong, +Cecilia the most ambitious to do what was right. Few of their companions +loved, but many were led by Cecilia, for she was often successful; many +loved Leonora, but none were ever governed by her, for she was too +indolent to govern. +</p> +<p> +On the first day of May, about six o'clock in the evening, a great bell +rang, to summon this little society into a hall, where the prize was to +be decided. A number of small tables were placed in a circle in the +middle of the hall; seats for the young competitors were raised one +above another, in a semicircle, some yards distant from the table; and +the judges' chairs, under canopies of lilacs and luburnums, forming +another semicircle, closed the amphitheatre. Every one put their +writings, their drawings, their works of various kinds, upon the tables +appropriated for each. How unsteady were the last steps to these tables! +How each little hand trembled as it laid down its claims! Till this +moment every one thought herself secure of success, but now each felt an +equal certainty of being excelled; and the heart which a few minutes +before exulted with hope, now palpitated with fear. +</p> +<p> +The works were examined, the preference adjudged; and the prize was +declared to be the happy Cecilia's. Mrs. Villars came forward smiling, +with the bracelet in her hand. Cecilia was behind her companions, on the +highest row; all the others gave way, and she was on the floor in an +instant. Mrs. Villars clasped the bracelet on her arm; the clasp was +heard through the whole hall, and a universal smile of congratulation +followed. Mrs. Villars kissed Cecilia's little hand; and "now," said +she, "go and rejoice with your companions; the remainder of the day is +yours." +</p> +<p> +Oh! you whose hearts are elated with success, whose bosoms beat high +with joy, in the moment of triumph, command yourselves; let that triumph +be moderate, that it may be lasting. Consider that, though you are good, +you may be better, and though wise, you may be weak. +</p> +<p> +As soon as Mrs. Villars had given her the bracelet, all Cecilia's little +companions crowded round her, and they all left the hall in an instant. +She was full of spirits and vanity—she ran on, running down the flight +of steps which led to the garden. In her violent haste, Cecilia threw +down the little Louisa. Louisa had a china mandarin in her hand, which +her mother had sent her that very morning; it was all broke to pieces by +the fall. +</p> +<p> +"Oh! my mandarin!" cried Louisa, bursting into tears. The crowd behind +Cecilia suddenly stopped. Louisa sat on the lowest step, fixing her eyes +upon the broken pieces; then turning round, she hid her face in her +hands upon the step above her. In turning, Louisa threw down the remains +of the mandarin; the head, which she had placed in the socket, fell from +the shoulders, and rolled bounding along the gravel-walk. Cecilia +pointed to the head and to the socket, and burst out laughing; the crowd +behind laughed too. At any other time they would have been more inclined +to cry with Louisa; but Cecilia had just been successful, and sympathy +with the victorious often makes us forget justice. Leonora, however, +preserved her usual consistency. "Poor Louisa!" said she, looking first +at her, and then reproachfully at Cecilia. Cecilia turned sharply round, +colouring, half with shame and half with vexation. "I could not help it, +Leonora," said she. +</p> +<p> +"But you could have helped laughing, Cecilia." "I didn't laugh at +Louisa; and I surely may laugh, for it does nobody any harm." "I am +sure, however," replied Leonora, "I should not have laughed if I +had——" "No, to be sure you wouldn't, because Louisa is your favourite. +I can buy her another mandarin the next time that old pedlar comes to +the door, if that's all. I <i>can</i> do no more. <i>Can</i> I?" said she, +turning round to her companions. "No, to be sure," said they, "that's all +fair." +</p> +<p> +Cecilia looked triumphantly at Leonora. Leonora let go her hand; she ran +on, and the crowd followed. When she got to the end of the garden, she +turned round to see if Leonora had followed her too; but was vexed to +see her still sitting on the steps with Louisa. "I'm sure I can do no +more than buy her another! <i>Can</i> I?" said she, again appealing to her +companions. +</p> +<p> +"No, to be sure," said they, eager to begin their plays. How many did +they begin and leave off before Cecilia could be satisfied with any. +Her thoughts were discomposed, and her mind was running upon something +else; no wonder then that she did not play with her usual address. She +grew still more impatient; she threw down the nine-pins: "Come, let us +play at something else—at threading the needle," said she, holding out +her hand. They all yielded to the hand which wore the bracelet. But +Cecilia, dissatisfied with herself, was discontented with everybody +else; her tone grew more and more peremptory,—one was too rude, another +too stiff; one was too slow, another too quick; in short, everything +went wrong, and everybody was tired of her humours. +</p> +<p> +The triumph of <i>success</i> is absolute, but short. Cecilia's companions at +length recollected that, though she had embroidered a tulip and painted +a peach better than they, yet that they could play as well, and keep +their tempers better: she was thrown out. Walking towards the house in a +peevish mood, she met Leonora; she passed on. +</p> +<p> +"Cecilia!" cried Leonora. "Well, what do you want with me?" "Are we +friends?" "You know best." "We are; if you will let me tell Louisa that +you are sorry—" Cecilia, interrupting her, "O! pray let me hear no +more about Louisa!" "What! not confess that you were in the wrong! Oh, +Cecilia! I had a better opinion of you." "Your opinion is of no +consequence to me now; for you don't love me." "No, not when you are +unjust, Cecilia." "Unjust! I am not unjust; and if I were, you are not +my governess." "No, but am I not your friend?" "I don't desire to have +such a friend, who would quarrel with me for happening to throw down +little Louisa—how could I tell that she had a mandarin in her hand? and +when it was broken, could I do more than promise her another? Was that +unjust?" "But you know, Cecilia——" "<i>I know</i>," ironically, "I know, +Leonora, that you love Louisa better than you do me; that's the +injustice!" "If I did," replied Leonora gravely, "it would be no +injustice, if she deserved it better." "How can you compare Louisa to +me!" exclaimed Cecilia, indignantly. +</p> +<p> +Leonora made no answer, for she was really hurt at her friend's conduct; +she walked on to join the rest of her companions. They were dancing in a +round upon the grass. Leonora declined dancing, but they prevailed upon +her to sing for them; her voice was not so sprightly, but it was sweeter +than usual. Who sung so sweetly as Leonora? or who danced so nimbly as +Louisa? +</p> +<p> +Away she was flying, all spirits and gayety, when Leonora's eyes full of +tears, caught hers. Louisa silently let go her companions' hands, and +quitting the dance, ran up to Leonora to inquire what was the matter +with her. +</p> +<p> +"Nothing," replied she, "that need interrupt you,—Go, my dear, and +dance again." +</p> +<p> +Louisa immediately ran away to her garden, and pulling off her little +straw hat, she lined it with the freshest strawberry leaves, and was +upon her knees before the strawberry bed when Cecilia came by. Cecilia +was not disposed to be pleased with Louisa at that instant, for two +reasons: because she was jealous of her, and because she had injured +her. The injury, however, Louisa had already forgotten; perhaps, to tell +things just as they were, she was not quite so much inclined to kiss +Cecilia as she would have been before the fall of her mandarin, but this +was the utmost extent of her malice, if it can be called malice. +</p> +<p> +"What are you doing there, little one?" said Cecilia in a sharp tone. +"Are you eating your early strawberries here all alone?" "No," said +Louisa, mysteriously; "I am not eating them." "What are you doing with +them—can't you answer then? I'm not playing with you, child!" "Oh! as +to that, Cecilia, you know I need not answer you unless I choose it; not +but what I would, if you would only ask me civilly—and if you would not +call me <i>child</i>." "Why should not I call you child?" +"Because—because—I don't know;—but I wish you would stand out of my +light, Cecilia, for you are trampling upon all my strawberries." "I have +not touched one, you covetous little creature!" "Indeed—indeed, +Cecilia, I am not covetous. I have not eaten one of them—they are all +for your friend Leonora. See how unjust you are." "Unjust! that's a cant +word you learned of my friend Leonora, as you call her, but she is not +my friend now." "Not your friend now!" exclaimed Louisa. "Then I am sure +you must have done something <i>very</i> naughty." "How!" said Cecilia, +catching hold of her. "Let me go—Let me go!" cried Louisa, struggling. +"I won't give you one of my strawberries, for I don't like you at all." +"You don't, don't you?" said Cecilia, provoked; and catching the hat +from Louisa, she flung the strawberries over the hedge. "Will nobody +help me!" exclaimed Louisa, snatching her hat again, and running away +with all her force. +</p> +<p> +"What have I done?" said Cecilia, recollecting herself. "Louisa! +Louisa!" She called very loud, but Louisa would not turn back! she was +running to her companions. +</p> +<p> +They were still dancing, hand in hand, upon the grass, whilst Leonora, +sitting in the middle, sang to them. +</p> +<p> +"Stop! stop! and hear me!" cried Louisa, breaking through them; and +rushing up to Leonora, she threw her hat at her feet, and panting for +breath—— +</p> +<p> +"It was full—almost full of my own strawberries," said she, "the first +I ever got out of my own garden. They should all have been for you, +Leonora, but now I have not one left. They are all gone!" said she; and +she hid her face in Leonora's lap. +</p> +<p> +"Gone! gone where?" said every one at once, running up to her. "Cecilia! +Cecilia!" said she, sobbing. "Cecilia!" repeated Leonora; "what of +Cecilia?" "Yes, it was—it was." +</p> +<p> +"Come along with me," said Leonora, unwilling to have her friend +exposed; "come, and I will get you some more strawberries." "Oh, I don't +mind the strawberries, indeed; but I wanted to have had the pleasure of +giving them to you." +</p> +<p> +Leonora took her up in her arms to carry her away, but it was too late. +</p> +<p> +"What, Cecilia! Cecilia, who won the prize! It could not surely be +Cecilia," whispered every busy tongue. +</p> +<p> +At this instant the bell summoned them in. +</p> +<p> +"There she is!—There she is!" cried they, pointing to an arbour, where +Cecilia was standing, ashamed and alone; and as they passed her, some +lifted up their hands and eyes with astonishment, others whispered and +huddled mysteriously together, as if to avoid her. Leonora walked on, +her head a little higher than usual. +</p> +<p> +"Leonora!" said Cecilia, timorously, as she passed. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Cecilia! who would have thought that you had a bad heart?" +</p> +<p> +Cecilia turned her head aside and burst into tears. +</p> +<p> +"Oh no, indeed, she has not a bad heart," cried Louisa, running up to +her, and throwing her arms round her neck; "she's very sorry!—are not +you, Cecilia? But don't cry any more, for I forgive you with all my +heart; and I love you now, though I said I did not when I was in a +passion." +</p> +<p> +"O, you sweet-tempered girl! how I love you," said Cecilia, kissing her. +</p> +<p> +"Well then, if you do, come along with me, and dry your eyes, for they +are so red." +</p> +<p> +"Go, my dear, and I'll come presently." +</p> +<p> +"Then I will keep a place for you next to me; but you must make haste, +or you will have to come in when we have all set down to supper, and +then you will be so stared at! So don't stay now." +</p> +<p> +Cecilia followed Louisa with her eyes till she was out of sight. "And +is Louisa," said she to herself, "the only one who would stop to pity +me? Mrs. Villars told me that this day should be mine; she little +thought how it would end!" Saying these words, Cecilia threw herself +down upon the ground; her arm leaned upon a heap of turf which she had +raised in the morning, and which in the pride and gayety of her heart, +she had called her throne. +</p> +<p> +At this instant, Mrs. Villars came out to enjoy the serenity of the +evening, and passing by the arbour where Cecilia lay, she started; +Cecilia rose hastily. +</p> +<p> +"Who is there?" said Mrs. Villars. "It is I, madam." "And who is I?" +"Cecilia." "Why, what keeps you here, my dear—where are your +companions? this is, perhaps, one of the happiest days of your life." +</p> +<p> +"O no, madam!" said Cecilia, hardly able to repress her tears. +</p> +<p> +"Why, my dear, what is the matter?" +</p> +<p> +Cecilia hesitated. +</p> +<p> +"Speak, my dear. You know that when I ask you to tell me any thing as +your friend, I never punish you as your governess; therefore you need +not be afraid to tell me what is the matter." +</p> +<p> +"No, madam, I am not afraid, but ashamed. You asked me why I was not +with my companions. Why, madam, because they have all left me, and——" +"And what, my dear?" "And I see that they all dislike me. And yet I +don't know why they should, for I take as much pains to please as any of +them. All my masters seem satisfied with me; and you yourself, ma'am, +were pleased this very morning to give me this bracelet; and I am sure +you would not have given it to any one who did not deserve it." +"Certainly not. You did deserve it for your application—for your +successful application. The prize was for the most assiduous, not for +the most amiable." "Then if it had been for the most amiable it would +not have been for me?" +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Villars, smiling—"Why, what do you think yourself, Cecilia? You +are better able to judge than I am. I can determine whether or no you +apply to what I give you to learn; whether you attend to what I desire +you to do, and avoid what I desire you not to do. I know that I like you +as a pupil, but I cannot know that I should like you as a companion, +unless I were your companion; therefore I must judge of what I should do +by seeing what others do in the same circumstances." +</p> +<p> +"O, pray don't, ma'am; for then you would not love me neither. And yet I +think you would love me; for I hope that I am as ready to oblige, and as +good-natured, as——" "Yes, Cecilia, I don't doubt but that you would be +very good-natured to me, but I am afraid that I should not like you +unless you were good-tempered too." "But, ma'am, by good-natured I mean +good-tempered—it's all the same thing." "No, indeed, I understand by +them two very different things. You are good-natured, Cecilia, for you +are desirous to oblige and serve your companions, to gain them praise +and save them from blame, to give them pleasure, and to relieve them +from pain; but Leonora is good-tempered, for she can bear with their +foibles, and acknowledge her own. Without disputing about the right, she +sometimes yields to those who are in the wrong. In short, her temper is +perfectly good, for it can bear and forbear." +</p> +<p> +"I wish that mine could," said Cecilia, sighing. +</p> +<p> +"It may," replied Mrs. Villars; "but it is not wishes alone which can +improve us in any thing. Turn the same exertion and perseverance which +have won you the prize to-day to this object, and you will meet with the +same success; perhaps not on the first, the second, or the third +attempt, but depend upon it that you will at last; every new effort will +weaken your bad habits and strengthen your good ones. But you must not +expect to succeed all at once; I repeat it to you, for habit must be +counteracted by habit. It would be as extravagant in us to expect that +all our faults could be destroyed by one punishment, were it ever so +severe, as it was in the Roman emperor we were reading of a few days ago +to wish that all the heads of his enemies were upon one neck, that he +might cut them off by one blow." +</p> +<p> +Here Mrs. Villars took Cecilia by the hand, and they began to walk home. +Such was the nature of Cecilia's mind, that, when any object was +forcibly impressed on her imagination, it caused a temporary suspension +of her reasoning faculties. Hope was too strong a stimulus for her +spirits; and when fear did take possession of her mind, it was attended +with total debility. Her vanity was now as much mortified as in the +morning it had been elated. She walked on with Mrs. Villars in silence +until they came under the shade of the elm-tree walk, and then, fixing +her eyes upon Mrs. Villars, she stopped short. "Do you think, madam," +said she, with hesitation, "do you think, madam, that I have a bad +heart?" +</p> +<p> +"A bad heart, my dear! why, what put that into your head?" +</p> +<p> +"Leonora said that I had, ma'am, and I felt ashamed when she said so." +</p> +<p> +"But, my dear, how can Leonora tell whether your heart be good or bad? +However, in the first place, tell me what you mean by a bad heart." +</p> +<p> +"Indeed, I do not know what is meant by it, ma'am; but it is something +which every body hates." +</p> +<p> +"And why do they hate it?" +</p> +<p> +"Because they think that it will hurt them, ma'am, I believe; and that +those who have bad hearts take delight in doing mischief; and that they +never do any body good but for their own ends." +</p> +<p> +"Then the best definition which you can give me of a bad heart is that +it is some constant propensity to hurt others, and to do wrong for the +sake of doing wrong." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, ma'am, but that is not all neither; there is still something else +meant; something which I cannot express—which, indeed, I never +distinctly understood; but of which, therefore, I was the more afraid." +</p> +<p> +"Well, then, to begin with what you do understand, tell me, Cecilia, do +you really think it possible to be wicked merely for the love of +wickedness? No human being becomes wicked all at once; a man begins by +doing wrong because it is, or because he thinks it is for his interest; +if he continue to do so, he must conquer his sense of shame, and lose +his love of virtue. But how can you, Cecilia, who feel such a strong +sense of shame, and such an eager desire to improve, imagine that you +have a bad heart?" +</p> +<p> +"Indeed, madam, I never did, until every body told me so, and then I +began to be frightened about it. This very evening, ma'am, when I was +in a passion, I threw little Louisa's strawberries away; which, I am +sure, I was very sorry for afterwards; and Leonora and every body cried +out that I had a bad heart; but I am sure that I was only in a passion." +</p> +<p> +"Very likely. And when you are in a passion, as you call it, Cecilia, +you see that you are tempted to do harm to others; if they do not feel +angry themselves, they do not sympathize with you; they do not perceive +the motive which actuates you, and then they say that you have a bad +heart. I dare say, however, when your passion is over, and when you +recollect yourself, you are very sorry for what you have done and said; +are not you?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, indeed, madam, very sorry." +</p> +<p> +"Then make that sorrow of use to you, Cecilia, and fix it steadily in +your thoughts, as you hope to be good and happy, that, if you suffer +yourself to yield to your passion upon every trifling occasion, anger +and its consequences will become familiar to your mind; and in the same +proportion your sense of shame will be weakened, till what you began +with doing from sudden impulse you will end with doing from habit and +choice; and then you would, indeed, according to our definition, have a +bad heart." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, madam! I hope—I am sure I never shall." +</p> +<p> +"No, indeed, Cecilia; I do, indeed, believe that you never will; on the +contrary, I think that you have a very good disposition, and, what is of +infinitely more consequence to you, an active desire of improvement. +Show me that you have as much perseverance as you have candour, and I +shall not despair of your becoming every thing that I could wish." +</p> +<p> +Here Cecilia's countenance brightened, and she ran up the steps in +almost as high spirits as she ran down them in the morning. +</p> +<p> +"Good night to you, Cecilia," said Mrs. Villars, as she was crossing the +hall. "Good night to you, madam," said Cecilia; and she ran up stairs +to bed. +</p> +<p> +She could not go to sleep, but she lay awake reflecting upon the events +of the preceding day, and forming resolutions for the future; at the +same time, considering that she had resolved, and resolved without +effect, she wished to give her mind some more powerful motive; ambition +she knew to be its most powerful incentive. +</p> +<p> +"Have I not," said she to herself, "already won the prize of +application, and cannot the same application procure me a much higher +prize? Mrs. Villars said that if the prize had been promised to the most +amiable it would not have been given to me; perhaps it would not +yesterday—perhaps it might not to-morrow; but that is no reason that I +should despair of ever deserving it." +</p> +<p> +In consequence of this reasoning, Cecilia formed a design of proposing +to her companions that they should give a prize, the first of the +ensuing month (the first of June), to the most amiable. Mrs. Villars +applauded the scheme, and her companions adopted it with the greatest +alacrity. +</p> +<p> +"Let the prize," said they, "be a bracelet of our own hair;" and +instantly their shining scissors were procured, and each contributed a +lock of her hair. They formed the most beautiful gradation of colours, +from the palest auburn to the brightest black. Who was to have the +honour of plaiting them was now the question. +</p> +<p> +Caroline begged that she might, as she could plait very neatly, she +said. +</p> +<p> +Cecilia, however, was equally sure that she could do it much better, and +a dispute would inevitably have ensued, if Cecilia, recollecting herself +just as her colour rose to scarlet, had not yielded—yielded with no +very good grace indeed, but as well as could be expected for the first +time. For it is habit which confers ease; and without ease, even in +moral actions, there can be no grace. +</p> +<p> +The bracelet was plaited in the neatest manner by Caroline, finished +round the edge with silver twist, and on it was worked, in the smallest +silver letters, this motto, TO THE MOST AMIABLE. The moment it was +completed, every body begged to try it on. It fastened with little +silver clasps, and as it was made large enough for the eldest girls, it +was too large for the youngest; of this they bitterly complained, and +unanimously entreated that it might be cut to fit them. +</p> +<p> +"How foolish!" exclaimed Cecilia. "Don't you perceive that, if you win +it, you have nothing to do but to put the clasps a little further from +the edge? but if we get it, we can't make it larger." +</p> +<p> +"Very true," said they, "but you need not to have called us foolish, +Cecilia!" +</p> +<p> +It was by such hasty and unguarded expressions as these that Cecilia +offended; a slight difference in the manner makes a very material one in +the effect. Cecilia lost more love by general petulance than she could +gain by the greatest particular exertions. +</p> +<p> +How far she succeeded in curing herself of this defect, how far she +became deserving of the bracelet, and to whom the bracelet was given, +shall be told in the history of the first of June. +<p> </p> +<p class="toc"> +<h3> +<a name="CH2">CONTINUATION OF THE BRACELETS.</a> +</h3> +The first of June was now arrived, and all the young competitors were in +a state of the most anxious suspense. Leonora and Cecilia continued to +be the foremost candidates; their quarrel had never been finally +adjusted, and their different pretensions now retarded all thoughts of a +reconciliation. Cecilia, though she was capable of acknowledging any of +her faults in public before all her companions, could not humble herself +in private to Leonora; Leonora was her equal, they were her inferiors; +and submission is much easier to a vain mind, where it appears to be +voluntary, than when it is the necessary tribute to justice or candour. +So strongly did Cecilia feel this truth that she even delayed making any +apology, or coming to any explanation with Leonora, until success should +once more give her the palm. +<p> +If I win the bracelet to-day, said she to herself, I will solicit the +return of Leonora's friendship; it will be more valuable to me than even +the bracelet; and at such a time, and asked in such a manner, she surely +cannot refuse it to me. Animated with this hope of a double triumph, +Cecilia canvassed with the most zealous activity; by constant attention +and exertion she had considerably abated the violence of her temper, and +changed the course of her habits. Her powers of pleasing were now +excited, instead of her abilities to excel; and, if her talents appeared +less brilliant, her character was acknowledged to be more amiable; so +great an influence upon our manners and conduct have the objects of our +ambition. Cecilia was now, if possible, more than ever desirous of +doing what was right, but she had not yet acquired sufficient fear of +doing wrong. This was the fundamental error of her mind; it arose in a +great measure from her early education. +</p> +<p> +Her mother died when she was very young; and though her father had +supplied her place in the best and kindest manner, he had insensibly +infused into his daughter's mind a portion of that enterprising, +independent spirit, which he justly deemed essential to the character of +her brother. This brother was some years older than Cecilia, but he had +always been the favourite companion of her youth; what her father's +precepts inculcated, his example enforced, and even Cecilia's virtues +consequently became such as were more estimable in a man than desirable +in a female. +</p> +<p> +All small objects and small errors she had been taught to disregard as +trifles; and her impatient disposition was perpetually leading her into +more material faults; yet her candour in confessing these, she had been +suffered to believe, was sufficient reparation and atonement. +</p> +<p> +Leonora, on the contrary, who had been educated by her mother in a +manner more suited to her sex, had a character and virtues more peculiar +to a female; her judgment had been early cultivated, and her good sense +employed in the regulation of her conduct; she had been habituated to +that restraint, which, as a woman, she was to expect in life, and early +accustomed to yield; compliance in her seemed natural and graceful. +</p> +<p> +Yet, notwithstanding the gentleness of her temper, she was in reality +more independent than Cecilia; she had more reliance upon her own +judgment, and more satisfaction in her own approbation. Though far from +insensible to praise, she was not liable to be misled by the +indiscriminate love of admiration; the uniform kindness of her manner, +the consistency and equality of her character, had fixed the esteem and +passive love of her companions. +</p> +<p> +By passive love, we mean that species of affection which makes us +unwilling to offend, rather than anxious to oblige; which is more a +habit than an emotion of the mind. For Cecilia, her companions felt +active love, for she was active in showing her love to them. +</p> +<p> +Active love arises spontaneously in the mind, after feeling particular +instances of kindness, without reflection on the past conduct or general +character; it exceeds the merits of its object, and is connected with a +feeling of generosity, rather than with a sense of justice. +</p> +<p> +Without determining which species of love is the more flattering to +others, we can easily decide which is the most agreeable feeling to our +own minds; we give our hearts more credit for being generous than for +being just; and we feel more self-complacency when we give our love +voluntarily, than when we yield it as a tribute which we cannot +withhold. Though Cecilia's companions might not know all this in theory, +they proved it in practice; for they loved her in a much higher +proportion to her merits than they loved Leonora. +</p> +<p> +Each of the young judges were to signify their choice by putting a red +or a white shell into a vase prepared for the purpose. Cecilia's colour +was red, Leonora's white. In the morning nothing was to be seen but +these shells, nothing talked of but the long-expected event of the +evening. Cecilia, following Leonora's example, had made it a point of +honour not to inquire of any individual her vote previous to their final +determination. +</p> +<p> +They were both sitting together in Louisa's room; Louisa was recovering +from the measles. Every one, during her illness, had been desirous of +attending her; but Leonora and Cecilia were the only two that were +permitted to see her, as they alone had had the distemper. They were +both assiduous in their care of Louisa; but Leonora's want of exertion +to overcome any disagreeable feelings of sensibility often deprived her +of presence of mind, and prevented her being so constantly useful as +Cecilia. Cecilia, on the contrary, often made too much noise and bustle +with her officious assistance, and was too anxious to invent amusements +and procure comforts for Louisa, without perceiving that illness takes +away the power of enjoying them. +</p> +<p> +As she was sitting in the window in the morning, exerting herself to +entertain Louisa, she heard the voice of an old pedlar who often used to +come to the house. Down stairs she ran immediately to ask Mrs. Villars's +permission to bring him into the hall. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Villars consented, and away Cecilia ran to proclaim the news to her +companions; then first returning into the hall, she found the pedlar +just unbuckling his box, and taking it off his shoulders. "What would +you be pleased to want, Miss?" said he. "I've all kinds of +tweezer-cases, rings, and lockets of all sorts," continued he, opening +all the glittering drawers successively. +</p> +<p> +"Oh!" said Cecilia, shutting the drawer of lockets which tempted her +most, "these are not the things which I want; have you any china +figures, any mandarins?" +</p> +<p> +"Alack-a-day, Miss, I had a great stock of that same china ware, but now +I'm quite out of them kind of things; but I believe," said he, rummaging +in one of the deepest drawers, "I believe I have one left, and here it +is." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, that is the very thing! what's its price?" +</p> +<p> +"Only three shillings, ma'am." Cecilia paid the money, and was just +going to carry off the mandarin, when the pedlar took out of his +great-coat pocket a neat mahogany case; it was about a foot long, and +fastened at each end by two little clasps; it had besides a small lock +in the middle. +</p> +<p> +"What is that?" said Cecilia, eagerly. +</p> +<p> +"It's only a china figure, Miss, which I am going to carry to an +elderly lady, who lives nigh at hand, and who is mighty fond of such +things." +</p> +<p> +"Could you let me look at it?" +</p> +<p> +"And welcome, Miss," said he, and opened the case. +</p> +<p> +"O goodness! how beautiful!" exclaimed Cecilia. +</p> +<p> +It was a figure of Flora, crowned with roses, and carrying a basket of +flowers in her hand. Cecilia contemplated it with delight. "How I should +like to give this to Louisa," said she to herself; and at last breaking +silence, "Did you promise it to the old lady?" +</p> +<p> +"O no, Miss; I didn't promise it—she never saw it; and if so be that +you'd like to take it, I'd make no more words about it." +</p> +<p> +"And how much does it cost?" +</p> +<p> +"Why, Miss, as to that, I'll let you have it for half-a-guinea." +</p> +<p> +<a name="image-3"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/treasure.jpg" width="206" height="264" +alt="treasure box" > +</p> +<p> +Cecilia immediately produced the box in which she kept her treasure, and +emptying it upon the table, she began to count the shillings; alas! +there were but six shillings. "How provoking!" said she; "then I can't +have it—where's the mandarin? O I have it," said she, taking it up, and +looking at it with the utmost disgust. "Is this the same that I had +before?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, Miss, the very same," replied the pedlar, who, during this time, +had been examining the little box out of which Cecilia had taken her +money; it was of silver. +</p> +<p> +"Why, ma'am," said he, "since you've taken such a fancy to the piece, if +you've a mind to make up the remainder of the money, I will take this +here little box, if you care to part with it." +</p> +<p> +Now this box was a keepsake from Leonora to Cecilia. "No," said Cecilia +hastily, blushing a little, and stretching out her hand to receive it. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Miss!" said he, returning it carelessly, "I hope there's no +offence; I meant but to serve you, that's all. Such a rare piece of +china-work has no cause to go a begging," added he, putting the Flora +deliberately into the case; then turning the key with a jerk, he let it +drop into his pocket, and lifting up his box by the leather straps, he +was preparing to depart. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, stay one minute!" said Cecilia, in whose mind there had passed a +very warm conflict during the pedlar's harangue. "Louisa would so like +this Flora," said she, arguing with herself; "besides, it would be so +generous in me to give it to her instead of that ugly mandarin; that +would be doing only common justice, for I promised it to her, and she +expects it. Though, when I come to look at this mandarin, it is not even +so good as hers was; the gilding is all rubbed off, so that I absolutely +must buy this for her. O yes, I will, and she will be so delighted! and +then every body will say it is the prettiest thing they ever saw, and +the broken mandarin will be forgotten forever." +</p> +<p> +Here Cecilia's hand moved, and she was just going to decide: "O! but +stop," said she to herself; "consider Leonora gave me this box, and it +is a keepsake; however, now we have quarreled, and I dare say that she +would not mind my parting with it; I'm sure that I should not care if +she was to give away my keepsake the smelling bottle, or the ring which +I gave her; so what does it signify; besides, is it not my own, and have +I not a right to do what I please with it?" +</p> +<p> +At this dangerous instant for Cecilia, a party of her companions opened +the door; she knew that they came as purchasers, and she dreaded her +Flora's becoming the prize of some higher bidder. "Here," said she, +hastily putting the box into the pedlar's hand, without looking at it; +"take it, and give me the Flora." Her hand trembled, though she snatched +it impatiently; she ran by, without seeming to mind any of her +companions—she almost wished to turn back. +</p> +<p> +Let those who are tempted to do wrong by the hopes of future +gratification, or the prospect of certain concealment and impunity, +remember that, unless they are totally depraved, they bear in their own +hearts a monitor who will prevent their enjoying what they have ill +obtained. +</p> +<p> +In vain Cecilia ran to the rest of her companions, to display her +present, in hopes that the applause of others would restore her own +self-complacency; in vain she saw the Flora pass in due pomp from hand +to hand, each viewing with the other in extolling the beauty of the gift +and the generosity of the giver. Cecilia was still displeased with +herself, with them, and even with their praise; from Louisa's gratitude, +however, she yet expected much pleasure, and immediately she ran up +stairs to her room. +</p> +<p> +In the mean time Leonora had gone into the hall to buy a bodkin; she had +just broken hers. In giving her change, the pedlar took out of his +pocket, with some half-pence, the very box which Cecilia had sold him. +Leonora did not in the least suspect the truth, for her mind was above +suspicion; and besides, she had the utmost confidence in Cecilia. "I +should like to have that box," said she, "for it is like one of which I +was very fond." +</p> +<p> +The pedlar named the price, and Leonora took the box; she intended to +give it to little Louisa. +</p> +<p> +On going to her room she found her asleep, and she sat down softly by +her bed-side. Louisa opened her eyes. +</p> +<p> +"I hope I didn't disturb you," said Leonora. +</p> +<p> +"O no; I didn't hear you come in; but what have you got there?" +</p> +<p> +"It is only a little box; would you like to have it? I bought it on +purpose for you, as I thought perhaps it would please you; because it's +like that which I gave Cecilia." +</p> +<p> +"O yes! that out of which she used to give me Barbary drops. I am very +much obliged to you. I always thought <i>that</i> exceedingly pretty; and +this, indeed, is as like it as possible. I can't unscrew it; will you +try?" +</p> +<p> +Leonora unscrewed it. +</p> +<p> +"Goodness!" exclaimed Louisa, "this must be Cecilia's box; look, don't +you see a great L at the bottom of it?" +</p> +<p> +Leonora's colour changed. "Yes," she replied calmly, "I see that, but it +is no proof that it is Cecilia's; you know that I bought this box just +now of the pedlar." +</p> +<p> +"That may be," said Louisa; "but I remember scratching that L with my +own needle, and Cecilia scolded me for it, too. Do go and ask her if she +has lost her box—do," repeated Louisa, pulling her by the sleeve, as +she did not seem to listen. +</p> +<p> +Leonora indeed did not hear, for she was lost in thought; she was +comparing circumstances, which had before escaped her attention. She +recollected that Cecilia had passed her as she came into the hall, +without seeming to see her, but had blushed as she passed. She +remembered that the pedlar appeared unwilling to part with the box, and +was going to put it again into his pocket with the half-pence; "and why +should he keep it in his pocket and not show it with his other things?" +Combining all these circumstances, Leonora had no longer any doubt of +the truth; for though she had honourable confidence in her friends, she +had too much penetration to be implicitly credulous. "Louisa," she +began, but at this instant she heard a step, which, by its quickness, +she knew to be Cecilia's, coming along the passage. "If you love me, +Louisa," said Leonora, "say nothing about the box." +</p> +<p> +"Nay, but why not? I dare say she has lost it." +</p> +<p> +"No, my dear, I am afraid she has not." Louisa looked surprised. +</p> +<p> +"But I have reasons for desiring you not to say any thing about it." +</p> +<p> +"Well, then, I won't, indeed." +</p> +<p> +Cecilia opened the door, came forward smiling, as if secure of a good +reception, and, taking the Flora out of the case, she placed it on the +mantel-piece, opposite to Louisa's bed. "Dear, how beautiful," cried +Louisa, starting up. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Cecilia, "and guess who it's for?" +</p> +<p> +"For me, perhaps!" said the ingenuous Louisa. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, take it, and keep it for my sake; you know that I broke your +mandarin." +</p> +<p> +"O! but this is a great deal prettier and larger than that." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I know it is; and I meant that it should be so. I should only have +done what I was bound to do if I had only given you a mandarin." +</p> +<p> +"Well, and that would have been enough, surely; but what a beautiful +crown of roses! and then that basket of flowers! they almost look as if +I could smell them. Dear Cecilia! I'm very much obliged to you, but I +won't take it by way of payment for the mandarin you broke; for I'm sure +you could not help that; and, besides, I should have broken it myself by +this time. You shall give it to me entirely, and I'll keep it as long as +I live as your keepsake." +</p> +<p> +Louisa stopped short and coloured. The word keepsake recalled the box +to her mind, and all the train of ideas which the Flora had banished. +"But," said she, looking up wishfully in Cecilia's face, and holding the +Flora doubtfully, "did you——" +</p> +<p> +Leonora, who was just quitting the room, turned her head back, and gave +Louisa a look, which silenced her. +</p> +<p> +Cecilia was so infatuated with her vanity, that she neither perceived +Leonora's sign, nor Louisa's confusion, but continued showing off her +present, by placing it in various situations, till at length she put it +into the case, and laying it down with an affected carelessness upon the +bed, "I must go now, Louisa. Good bye," said she, running up and kissing +her; "but I'll come again presently;" then clapping the door after her, +she went. +</p> +<p> +But as soon as the fermentation of her spirits subsided, the sense of +shame, which had been scarcely felt when mixed with so many other +sensations, rose uppermost in her mind. "What?" said she to herself, +"is it possible that I have sold what I promised to keep for ever? and +what Leonora gave me? and I have concealed it too, and have been making +a parade of my generosity. O! what would Leonora, what would Louisa, +what would every body think of me, if the truth were known?" +</p> +<p> +Humiliated and grieved by these reflections, Cecilia began to search in +her own mind for some consoling idea. She began to compare her conduct +with the conduct of others of her own age; and at length, fixing her +comparison upon her brother George, as the companion of whom, from her +infancy, she had been habitually the most emulous, she recollected that +an almost similar circumstance had once happened to him, and that he had +not only escaped disgrace, but had acquired glory by an intrepid +confession of his fault. Her father's words to her brother, on that +occasion, she also perfectly recollected. +</p> +<p> +"Come to me, George," he said, holding out his hand; "you are a +generous, brave boy. They who dare to confess their faults will make +great and good men." +</p> +<p> +These were his words; but Cecilia, in repeating them to herself, forgot +to lay that emphasis on the word <i>men</i>, which would have placed it in +contradistinction to the word women. She willingly believed that the +observation extended equally to both sexes, and flattered herself that +she should exceed her brother in merit, if she owned a fault which she +thought that it would be so much more difficult to confess. "Yes, but," +said she, stopping herself, "how can I confess it? This very evening, in +a few hours, the prize will be decided; Leonora or I shall win it. I +have now as good a chance as Leonora, perhaps a better; and must I give +up all my hopes? all that I have been labouring for this month past! O, +I never can;—if it were to-morrow, or yesterday, or any day but this, I +would not hesitate, but now I am almost certain of the prize, and if I +win it—well, why then I will—I think, I will tell all—yes, I will; I +am determined," said Cecilia. +</p> +<p> +Here a bell summoned them to dinner. Leonora sat opposite to her, and +she was not a little surprised to see Cecilia look so gay and +unrestrained. "Surely," said she to herself, "if Cecilia had done this, +that I suspect, she would not, she could not look as she does." But +Leonora little knew the cause of her gayety; Cecilia was never in higher +spirits, or better pleased with herself, than when she had resolved upon +a sacrifice or a confession. +</p> +<p> +"Must not this evening be given to the most amiable? Whose, then, will +it be?" All eyes glanced first at Cecilia and then at Leonora. Cecilia +smiled; Leonora blushed. "I see that it is not yet decided," said Mrs. +Villars; and immediately they ran up stairs, amidst confused +whisperings. +</p> +<p> +Cecilia's voice could be distinguished far above the rest. "How can she +be so happy?" said Leonora to herself. "O, Cecilia, there was a time +when you could not have neglected me so!—when we were always together, +the best of friends and companions, our wishes, tastes, and pleasures +the same. Surely she did once love me," said Leonora; "but now she is +quite changed. She has even sold my keepsake, and would rather win a +bracelet of hair from girls whom she did not always think so much +superior to Leonora, than have my esteem, my confidence, and my +friendship, for her whole life; yes, for her whole life, for I am sure +she will be an amiable woman. Oh that this bracelet had never been +thought of, or that I was certain of her winning it; for I am certain +that I do not wish to win it from her. I would rather, a thousand times +rather, that we were as we used to be, than have all the glory in the +world. And how pleasing Cecilia can be when she wishes to please! how +candid she is! how much she can improve herself!—let me be just, +though she has offended me—she is wonderfully improved within this last +month; for one fault, and <i>that</i> against myself, should I forget all her +merits?" +</p> +<p> +As Leonora said these last words, she could but just hear the voices of +her companions; they had left her alone in the gallery. She knocked +softly at Louisa's door——"Come in," said Louisa. "I in not asleep. Oh," +said she, starting up with the Flora in her hand, the instant that the +door was opened. "I'm so glad you are come, Leonora, for I did so long +to hear what you were all making such a noise about—have you forgot +that the bracelet——" +</p> +<p> +"O yes! is this the evening?" +</p> +<p> +"Well, here's my white shell for you. I've kept it in my pocket this +fortnight; and though Cecilia did give me this Flora, I still love you a +great deal better." +</p> +<p> +"I thank you, Louisa," said Leonora, gratefully. "I will take your +shell, and I shall value it as long as I live. But here is a red one, +and if you wish to show me that you love me, you will give this to +Cecilia. I know that she is particularly anxious for your preference, +and I am sure that she deserves it." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, if I could I would choose both of you; but you know I can only +choose which I like the best." +</p> +<p> +"If you mean, my dear Louisa," said Leonora, "that you like me the best, +I am very much obliged to you; for, indeed I wish you to love me; but it +is enough for me to know it in private. I should not feel the least more +pleasure at hearing it in public, or in having it made known to all my +companions, especially at a time when it would give poor Cecilia a great +deal of pain." +</p> +<p> +"But why should it give her pain? I don't like her for being jealous of +you." +</p> +<p> +"Nay, Louisa, surely you don't think Cecilia jealous; she only tries to +excel and to please. She is more anxious to succeed than I am, it is +true, because she has a great deal more activity, and perhaps more +ambition; and it would really mortify her to lose this prize. You know +that she proposed it herself; it has been her object for this month +past, and I am sure she has taken great pains to obtain it." +</p> +<p> +"But, dear Leonora, why should you lose it?" +</p> +<p> +"Indeed, my dear, it would be no loss to me; and, if it were, I would +willingly suffer it for Cecilia; for, though we seem not to be such good +friends as we used to be, I love her very much, and she will love me +again, I'm sure she will; when she no longer fears me as a rival, she +will again love me as a friend." +</p> +<p> +Here Leonora heard a number of her companions running along the gallery. +They all knocked hastily at the door, calling, "Leonora! Leonora! will +you never come? Cecilia has been with us this half hour." +</p> +<p> +Leonora smiled. "Well, Louisa," said she, smiling, "will you promise +me?" +</p> +<p> +"O, I'm sure, by the way they speak to you, that they won't give you +the prize!" said the little Louisa; and the tears started into her eyes. +</p> +<p> +"They love me though, for all that; and as for the prize, you know whom +I wish to have it." +</p> +<p> +"Leonora! Leonora!" called her impatient companions; "don't you hear us? +What are you about?" +</p> +<p> +"O, she never will take any trouble about any thing," said one of the +party; "let's go away." +</p> +<p> +"O go! go! make haste," cried Louisa; "don't stay, they are so angry—I +will, I will, indeed!" +</p> +<p> +"Remember, then, that you have promised me," said Leonora, and she left +the room. During all this time Cecilia had been in the garden with her +companions. The ambition which she had felt to win the first prize, the +prize of superior talents and superior application, was not to be +compared to the absolute anxiety which she now expressed to win this +simple testimony of the love and approbation of her equals and rivals. +</p> +<p> +To employ her exuberant activity, she had been dragging branches of +lilacs, and laburnums, roses, and sweet-briar, to ornament the bower in +which her fate was to be decided. It was excessively hot, but her mind +was engaged, and she was indefatigable. She stood still, at last, to +admire her works; her companions all joined in loud applause. They were +not a little prejudiced in her favour by the great eagerness which she +expressed to win their prize, and by the great importance which she +seemed to affix to the preference of each individual. At last, "Where is +Leonora?" cried one of them, and immediately, as we have seen, they ran +to call her. +</p> +<p> +Cecilia was left alone. Overcome with heat and too violent exertion, she +had hardly strength to support herself; each moment appeared to her +intolerably long; she was in a state of the utmost suspense, and all her +courage failed her; even hope forsook her, and hope is a cordial which +leaves the mind depressed and enfeebled. "The time is now come," said +Cecilia; "in a few moments it will be decided. In a few moments! +goodness! how much I do hazard! If I should not win the prize, how shall +I confess what I have done? How shall I beg Leonora to forgive me? I, +who hoped to restore my friendship to her as an honour!—they are gone +to seek for her—the moment she appears I shall be forgotten—what +shall—what shall I do?" said Cecilia, covering her face with her hands. +</p> +<p> +Such was her situation, when Leonora, accompanied by her companions, +opened the hall-door; they most of them ran forward to Cecilia. As +Leonora came into the bower, she held out her hand to Cecilia——"We +are not rivals, but friends, I hope," said she. Cecilia clasped her +hand, but she was in too great agitation to speak. +</p> +<p> +The table was now set in the arbour—the vase was now placed in the +middle. "Well!" said Cecilia, eagerly, "who begins?" Caroline, one of +her friends, came forward first, and then all the others successively. +Cecilia's emotion was hardly conceivable.——"Now they are all in. +Count them, Caroline!" +</p> +<p> +"One, two, three, four; the numbers are both equal." There was a dead +silence. +</p> +<p> +"No, they are not," exclaimed Cecilia, pressing forward and putting +a shell into the vase——"I have not given mine, and I give it to +Leonora." Then snatching the bracelet, "It is yours, Leonora," said she; +"take it, and give me back your friendship." The whole assembly gave a +universal clap and shout of applause. +</p> +<p> +"I cannot be surprised at this from you, Cecilia," said Leonora; "and do +you then still love me as you used to do?" +</p> +<p> +"O Leonora! stop! don't praise me; I don't deserve this," said she, +turning to her loudly applauding companions; "you will soon despise +me—O Leonora, you will never forgive me!—I have deceived you—I have +sold——" +</p> +<p> +At this instant Mrs. Villars appeared—the crowd divided—she had heard +all that passed from her window. +</p> +<p> +"I applaud your generosity, Cecilia," said she, "but I am to tell you +that in this instance it is unsuccessful; you have it not in your power +to give the prize to Leonora—it is yours—I have another vote to give +you—you have forgotten Louisa." +</p> +<p> +"Louisa! but surely, ma'am, Louisa loves Leonora better than she does +me!" +</p> +<p> +"She commissioned me, however," said Mrs. Villars, "to give you a red +shell, and you will find it in this box." +</p> +<p> +Cecilia started, and turned as pale as death—it was the fatal box. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Villars produced another box—she opened it—it contained the +Flora—"And Louisa also desired me," said she, "to return you this +Flora"—she put it into Cecilia's hand—Cecilia trembled so that she +could not hold it; Leonora caught it. +</p> +<p> +"O, madam! O, Leonora!" exclaimed Cecilia; "now I have no hope left. I +intended, I was just going to tell——" +</p> +<p> +"Dear Cecilia," said Leonora, "you need not tell it me; I know it +already, and I forgive you with all my heart." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I can prove to you," said Mrs. Villars, "that Leonora has forgiven +you: it is she who has given you the prize; it was she who persuaded +Louisa to give you her vote. I went to see her a little while ago, and +perceiving, by her countenance, that something was the matter, I pressed +her to tell me what it was. +</p> +<p> +"'Why, madam,' said she, 'Leonora has made me promise to give my shell +to Cecilia. Now I don't love Cecilia half so well as I do Leonora; +besides, I would not have Cecilia think I vote for her because she gave +me a Flora.' Whilst Louisa was speaking," continued Mrs. Villars, "I saw +the silver box lying on the bed; I took it up, and asked if it was not +yours, and how she came by it. +</p> +<p> +"'Indeed, madam,' said Louisa, 'I could have been almost certain that +it was Cecilia's; but Leonora gave it me, and she said that she bought +it of the pedlar this morning. If any body else had told me so, I could +not have believed them, because I remembered the box so well; but I +can't help believing Leonora.' +</p> +<p> +"'But did you not ask Cecilia about it?' said I. +</p> +<p> +"'No, madam,' replied Louisa, 'for Leonora forbade me.' +</p> +<p> +"I guessed her reason. 'Well,' said I, 'give me the box, and I will +carry your shell in it to Cecilia.' +</p> +<p> +"'Then, madam,' said she, 'if I must give it her, pray do take the +Flora, and return it to her first, that she may not think it is for that +I do it.'" +</p> +<p> +"O, generous Leonora!" exclaimed Cecilia; "but indeed, Louisa, I cannot +take your shell." +</p> +<p> +"Then, dear Cecilia, accept of mine instead of it; you cannot refuse +it—I only follow your example. As for the bracelet," added Leonora, +taking Cecilia's hand, "I assure you I don't wish for it, and you do, +and you deserve it." +</p> +<p> +"No," said Cecilia, "indeed I do not deserve it; next to you, surely, +Louisa deserves it best." +</p> +<p> +"Louisa! O yes, Louisa," exclaimed every body with one voice. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Mrs. Villars, "and let Cecilia carry the bracelet to her; +she deserves that reward. For one fault I cannot forget all your merits, +Cecilia; nor, I am sure, will your companions." +</p> +<p> +"Then, surely, not your best friend," said Leonora, kissing her. +</p> +<p> +Every body present was moved—they looked up to Leonora with respectful +and affectionate admiration. +</p> +<p> +"O, Leonora, how I love you! and how I wish to be like you!" exclaimed +Cecilia; "to be as good, as generous!" +</p> +<p> +"Rather wish, Cecilia," interrupted Mrs. Villars, "to be as just; to be +as strictly honourable, and as invariably consistent. +</p> +<p> +"Remember that many of our sex are capable of great efforts, of making +what they call great sacrifices to virtue or to friendship; but few +treat their friends with habitual gentleness, or uniformly conduct +themselves with prudence and good sense." +</p> +<p> +THE END. +</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> +A CATALOGUE<br /> +OF<br /> +ILLUSTRATED AND ENTERTAINING<br /> +JUVENILE WORKS. +</h2> +<a name="image-4"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/appleton.jpg" width="217" height="141" +alt="Appleton List of Books" > +</p> + +<hr> +<h3> +LITTLE ANNIE'S FIRST BOOK,<br /> +CHIEFLY IN WORDS OF THREE LETTERS. +</h3> +<h5> +By Her Mother. +</h5> +<h5> +Illustrated with Seventy Designs. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<h5> +This little volume will commend itself to parents, as a book for +children who have just mastered the alphabet. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +THE TRAVELS<br /> +AND<br /> +EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES<br /> +OF<br /> +BOB THE SQUIRREL.<br /> +</h3> +<h5> +Illustrated with Twelve Engravings<br /> +by Distinguished Artists.<br /> +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<h5> +Bob's adventures are full of interest, and no child can fail to be +amused and permanently benefited by the perusal of them. The book is +designed for a child from six to ten years of age. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +CLARA'S AMUSEMENTS. +</h3> +<h5> +"Oh, happy childhood! whose sweet fruits of pleasure Are plucked in the +safe garden of thy home."—M.S. +</h5> +<h5> +By Mrs. Anna Bache. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated with Original Designs. +</h5> +<h5> +Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<a name="image-5"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/blossoms.jpg" width="166" height="124" +alt="Blossoms of Morality" > +</p> +<h3> +THE BLOSSOMS OF MORALITY;<br /> +INTENDED FOR THE AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION<br /> +OF YOUNG PEOPLE. +</h3> +<h5> +Illustrated with Twenty-three Designs by Darley. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume 15mo. Price 38 cts. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +HOLIDAY HOUSE:<br /> +A SERIES OF TALES +</h3> +<h5> +By Miss Sinclair. +</h5> +<h5> +From the third London Edition. +</h5> +<h5> +Prettily illustrated by Croome. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume 16mo. 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Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<a name="image-6"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/storybook.jpg" width="201" height="148" +alt="Child's Own Story Book" > +</p> +<hr> +<h3> +THE CHILD'S DELIGHT;<br /> +A GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS. +</h3> +<h5> +Edited by a lady. +</h5> +<h5> +Prettily Illustrated with Coloured Steel Engravings,<br /> +Designed by Croome. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<h2> +MARIA EDGEWORTH'S<br /> +CHEAP JUVENILE WORKS. +</h2> +<h3> +WASTE NOT, WANT NOT;<br /> +OR,<br /> +TWO STRINGS TO YOUR BOW. +</h3> +<h5> +By Maria Edgeworth. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +LAZY LAWRENCE;<br /> +OR,<br /> +INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS CONTRASTED. +</h3> +<h5> +By Maria Edgeworth. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +THE BRACELETS;<br /> +OR,<br /> +AMIABILITY AND INDUSTRY REWARDED. +</h3> +<h5> +By Maria Edgeworth. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +THE FIRESIDE STORY BOOK;<br /> +CONTAINING<br /> +"LAZY LAWRENCE" "WASTE NOT, WANT NOT,"<br /> +AND "THE BRACELETS." +</h3> +<h5> +Elegantly Illustrated. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<a name="image-7"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/bible.jpg" width="180" height="182" +alt="Mamma's Bible Stories" > +</p> +<h3> +MAMMA'S BIBLE STORIES<br /> +FOR HER<br /> +LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS. +</h3> +<h4> +A SERIES OF READING LESSONS TAKEN FROM THE BIBLE, AND<br /> +ADAPTED TO THE CAPACITIES OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN. +</h4> +<h5> +Illustrated with Numerous Engravings. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +GRANDMAMMA EASY'S<br /> +BEAUTIFUL TOY BOOKS,<br /> +FOR ALL GOOD CHILDREN. +</h3> +<h5> +Very large size, printed on very large type, and elegantly +coloured, with gilt edges. +</h5> +<h5> +Put up in wrappers, each containing one dozen. +</h5> +<h5> +Price $1.50 per Dozen. +</h5> +<h5> +CONTENTS. +</h5> +<h5> +New Story about Little Tom Thumb and his Mother.<br /> +New Little Stories about the Alphabet.<br /> +Merry Multiplication.<br /> +New Story about Old Daddy Longlegs.<br /> +New Story about Little Jack Horner, and of what his Pie was made.<br /> +Michaelmas Day, or the Fate of poor Molly Goosey.<br /> +Alderman's Feast: A new Alphabet.<br /> +New Story about the Queen of Hearts, and the Stolen Tarts.<br /> +New Pictorial Bible Alphabet.<br /> +Toy Shop Drolleries, or Wonders of a Toy Shop.<br /> +Travels of Matty Macaroni, the Little Organ Boy.<br /> +New Story of Joseph and his Brethren.<br /> +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +VERY LITTLE TALES FOR VERY LITTLE CHILDREN. +</h3> +<h5> +In single syllables of three and four letters. Large and bold type. +</h5> +<h5> +With Numerous Illustrations. +</h5> +<h5> +Two Volumes 32mo. Price 75 cents. +</h5> +<a name="image-8"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/tales.jpg" width="154" height="147" +alt="Very Little Tales for Very Little Children" > +</p> +<hr> +<h3> +LITTLE LESSONS FOR LITTLE LEARNERS. +</h3> +<h5> +In words of one syllable. +</h5> +<h5> +By Mrs. Barwell,<br /> +Author of "Mamma's Bible Stories." +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +POPULAR TALES. +</h3> +<h5> +By Maria Edgeworth. +</h5> +<h5> +With Original Designs by Croome. +</h5> +<h5> +CONTENTS. +</h5> +<h5> +MURAD THE UNLUCKY.<br /> +THE MANUFACTURERS.<br /> +THE CONTRAST.<br /> +THE GRATEFUL NEGRO.<br /> +TO-MORROW. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume 16mo. Price 75 cents. +</h5> +<h5> +"The writings of Maria Edgeworth have rarely been approached, and none +have excelled her. Her stories are so natural, and are told with such +truthfulness, that the reader becomes completely captivated." +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +MORAL TALES. +</h3> +<h5> +By Maria Edgeworth. +</h5> +<h5> +Embellished with Original Designs by Darley. +</h5> +<h5> +Price 75 cents. +</h5> +<h5> +"If we wished to do a young person good while offering amusement, to +improve the heart while engaging the attention, and to give him or her +little books which convey no false or distorted notions of life—Maria +Edgeworth is our author."—<i>Post</i>. +</h5> +<hr> +<a name="image-9"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/songs.jpg" width="139" height="134" +alt="Divine and Moral Songs" > +</p> +<h3> +DIVINE AND MORAL SONGS,<br /> +FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN +</h3> +<h5> +By Isaac Watts, D.D. +</h5> +<h5> +Illustrated with 24 Engravings in the Highest Style of Art. +</h5> +<h5> +One elegant Volume, 16mo. Price 75 cts. +</h5> +<h5> +"This will be a constant furniture for the minds of children, that they +may have something to think of when alone, and sing over to themselves. +This may sometimes give their thoughts a divine turn, and raise a young +meditation. Thus they will not be forced to seek relief for an emptiness +of mind out of the loose and dangerous sonnets of the age."—<i>Extract +from Author's Preface</i>. +</h5> +<hr> +<h2> +MRS. SHERWOOD'S<br /> +PRETTILY ILUSTRATED JUVENILES. +</h2> +<h3> +DUTY IS SAFETY;<br /> +OR,<br /> +TROUBLESOME TOM. +</h3> +<h5> +By Mrs. Sherwood. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. +</h3> +<h5> +By Mrs. Sherwood. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +JACK, THE SAILOR BOY. +</h3> +<h5> +By Mrs. Sherwood. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +CLEVER STORIES FOR CLEVER BOYS AND GIRLS. +</h3> +<h5> +Containing +</h5> +<h5> +"Think before you Act," "Jack, the Sailor Boy," "Duty is Safety." +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. +</h5> +<h3> +THE PRIZE STORY BOOK;<br /> +CONSISTING CHIEFLY OF<br /> +TALES TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN,<br /> +FRENCH, AND ITALIAN,<br /> +TOGETHER WITH<br /> +SELECT TALES FROM THE ENGLISH.<br > +</h3> +<h5> +Illustrated with Numerous Designs. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Half cloth 50 cts.; cloth extra 63 cts. +</h5> +<a name="image-10"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/prize.jpg" width="170" height="132" +alt="The Prize Story Book" > +</p> +<hr> +<h3> +GEORGE'S JOURNEY<br /> +TO THE<br /> +LAND OF HAPPINESS. +</h3> +<h5> +By a Lady. +</h5> +<h5> +Illustrated with Sixteen Coloured Engravings. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +THE BOOK OF ANIMALS;<br /> +INTENDED FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT<br /> +AND INSTRUCTION<br /> +OF <br /> +YOUNG PEOPLE. +</h3> +<h5> +By R. Bilby. +</h5> +<h5> +Illustrated with Twelve Designs of Animals. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<h5> +This volume is intended both as a useful and entertaining book for the +young, abounding with Anecdotes of the Quadrupeds, and illustrated with +numerous well executed designs. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +THE HAPPY CHILDREN;<br /> +A TALE OF HOME<br /> +FOR<br /> +YOUNG PEOPLE. +</h3> +<h5> +Illustrated with Elegant Engravings. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. +</h5> +<h5> +A very interesting volume for children from six to twelve years of age. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +RHYMES FOR THE NURSERY. +</h3> +<h5> +By the Author of "Original Poems." +</h5> +<h5> +Illustrated with Sixteen Designs. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. plain; 63 cts. coloured. +</h5> +<a name="image-11"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/rhymes.jpg" width="156" height="142" +alt="Rhymes for The Nursery" > +</p> +<hr> +<h3> +HOLIDAY TALES.<br /> +CONTAINING PLEASING STORIES FOR THE YOUNG. +</h3> +<h5> +Prettily Illustrated. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price in half cloth, 25 cents; cloth gilt, +38 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<a name="image-12"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/picturebooks.jpg" width="150" height="135" +alt="Uncle John's Fancy Picture Books" > +</p> +<h3> +UNCLE JOHN'S<br /> +FANCY PICTURE BOOKS. +</h3> +<h5> +In a new and unique style, +put up in dozens assorted. Six kinds. +</h5> +<h5> +CONTENTS. +</h5> +<h5> +UNCLE JOHN'S PICTURE BIBLE ALPHABET.<br /> +UNCLE JOHN'S STORY OF BOB.<br /> +UNCLE JOHN'S STORY OF DOWNEY THE MOUSE.<br /> +UNCLE JOHN'S STORIES OF ANIMALS.<br /> +UNCLE JOHN'S BIBLE STORIES.<br /> +UNCLE JOHN'S LITTLE RHYMER. +</h5> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11121 ***</div> +</body> diff --git a/11121-h/images/appleton.jpg b/11121-h/images/appleton.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e9fdfee --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/appleton.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/bible.jpg b/11121-h/images/bible.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e65ae00 --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/bible.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/blossoms.jpg b/11121-h/images/blossoms.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a923d91 --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/blossoms.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/bracelets.jpg b/11121-h/images/bracelets.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1587fea --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/bracelets.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/girls.jpg b/11121-h/images/girls.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..348f029 --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/girls.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/picturebooks.jpg b/11121-h/images/picturebooks.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e2a109 --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/picturebooks.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/prize.jpg b/11121-h/images/prize.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..54d5390 --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/prize.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/rhymes.jpg b/11121-h/images/rhymes.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7cf724 --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/rhymes.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/songs.jpg b/11121-h/images/songs.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b36c1e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/songs.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/storybook.jpg b/11121-h/images/storybook.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..db95058 --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/storybook.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/tales.jpg b/11121-h/images/tales.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..42d625c --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/tales.jpg diff --git a/11121-h/images/treasure.jpg b/11121-h/images/treasure.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..99bc8d1 --- /dev/null +++ b/11121-h/images/treasure.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..425e231 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #11121 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11121) diff --git a/old/11121-h.zip b/old/11121-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3eff64a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11121-h.zip diff --git a/old/11121-h/11121-h.htm b/old/11121-h/11121-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a182aa2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11121-h/11121-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2382 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<title> +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Bracelets, by Maria Edgeworth. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- + body {margin-left: 12%; margin-right: 12%; background-color: white} + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5{text-align: center; } + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + .toc { text-align: center;} + .ctr { text-align: center; } +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bracelets, by Maria Edgeworth + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Bracelets + +Author: Maria Edgeworth + +Release Date: February 17, 2004 [EBook #11121] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRACELETS *** + + + + +Produced by Internet Archive; University of Florida, Children, Andrea +Ball and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="image-1"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/bracelets.jpg" width="126" height="169" +alt="The Bracelets. Edgeworth" > +</p> +<p> </p> +<a name="image-2"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/girls.jpg" width="196" height="247" +alt="Two girls" > +</p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>THE BRACELETS;</h1> +<h2>OR,<br /> +AMIABILITY AND INDUSTRY REWARDED. +</h2> +<p> </p> + +<h3> +BY<br /> +MARIA EDGEWORTH, +</h3> +<h4> +AUTHOR OF "POPULAR TALES," "MORAL TALES," ETC. ETC. +</h4> +<h3> +With Illustrations from Original Designs. +</h3> +<p> </p> + + +<h4> +1850. +</h4> +<p> </p> + +<h2> +CONTENTS +</h2> +<p class="toc"><a href="#CH1">THE BRACELETS.</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#CH1">CONTINUATION OF THE BRACELETS.</a></p> +<p> </p> +<h2> +ILLUSTRATIONS +</h2> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-1"> +The Bracelets. Edgeworth +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-2"> +Two girls +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-3"> +Treasure box +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-4"> +Appleton List of Books +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-5"> +Blossoms of Morality +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-6"> +Child's Own Story Book +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-7"> +Mamma's Bible Stories +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-8"> +Very Little Tales for Very Little Children +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-9"> +Divine and Moral Songs +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-10"> +The Prize Story Book +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-11"> +Rhymes for The Nursery +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-12"> +Uncle John's Fancy Picture Books +</a></p> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="toc"> +<h3> +<a name="CH1">THE BRACELETS.</a> +</h3> +<p> +In a beautiful and retired part of England lived Mrs. Villars, a lady +whose accurate understanding, benevolent heart, and steady temper, +peculiarly fitted her for the most difficult, as well as most important +of all occupations—the education of youth. This task she had +undertaken; and twenty young persons were put under her care, with the +perfect confidence of their parents. No young people could be happier; +they were good and gay, emulous, but not envious of each other; for Mrs. +Villars was impartially just. Her praise they felt to be the reward of +merit, and her blame they knew to be the necessary consequence of ill +conduct; to the one, therefore, they patiently submitted, and in the +other consciously rejoiced. They rose with fresh cheerfulness in the +morning, eager to pursue their various occupations; they returned in the +evening with renewed ardour to their amusements, and retired to rest +satisfied with themselves and pleased with each other. +</p> +<p> +Nothing so much contributed to preserve a spirit of emulation in this +little society as a small honorary distinction given annually, as the +prize of successful application. The prize this year was peculiarly dear +to each individual, as it was the picture of a friend whom they all +dearly loved—it was the picture of Mrs. Villars in a small bracelet. It +wanted neither gold, pearls, nor precious stones, to give it value. +</p> +<p> +The two foremost candidates for the prize were Cecilia and Leonora. +Cecilia was the most intimate friend of Leonora, but Leonora was only +the favourite companion of Cecilia. +</p> +<p> +Cecilia was of an active, ambitious, enterprising disposition; more +eager in the pursuit than happy in the enjoyment of her wishes. Leonora +was of a contented, unaspiring, temperate character, not easily roused +to action, but indefatigable when once excited. Leonora was proud, +Cecilia was vain. Her vanity made her more dependent upon the +approbation of others, and therefore more anxious to please, than +Leonora; but that very vanity made her, at the same time, more apt to +offend. In short, Leonora was the most anxious to avoid what was wrong, +Cecilia the most ambitious to do what was right. Few of their companions +loved, but many were led by Cecilia, for she was often successful; many +loved Leonora, but none were ever governed by her, for she was too +indolent to govern. +</p> +<p> +On the first day of May, about six o'clock in the evening, a great bell +rang, to summon this little society into a hall, where the prize was to +be decided. A number of small tables were placed in a circle in the +middle of the hall; seats for the young competitors were raised one +above another, in a semicircle, some yards distant from the table; and +the judges' chairs, under canopies of lilacs and luburnums, forming +another semicircle, closed the amphitheatre. Every one put their +writings, their drawings, their works of various kinds, upon the tables +appropriated for each. How unsteady were the last steps to these tables! +How each little hand trembled as it laid down its claims! Till this +moment every one thought herself secure of success, but now each felt an +equal certainty of being excelled; and the heart which a few minutes +before exulted with hope, now palpitated with fear. +</p> +<p> +The works were examined, the preference adjudged; and the prize was +declared to be the happy Cecilia's. Mrs. Villars came forward smiling, +with the bracelet in her hand. Cecilia was behind her companions, on the +highest row; all the others gave way, and she was on the floor in an +instant. Mrs. Villars clasped the bracelet on her arm; the clasp was +heard through the whole hall, and a universal smile of congratulation +followed. Mrs. Villars kissed Cecilia's little hand; and "now," said +she, "go and rejoice with your companions; the remainder of the day is +yours." +</p> +<p> +Oh! you whose hearts are elated with success, whose bosoms beat high +with joy, in the moment of triumph, command yourselves; let that triumph +be moderate, that it may be lasting. Consider that, though you are good, +you may be better, and though wise, you may be weak. +</p> +<p> +As soon as Mrs. Villars had given her the bracelet, all Cecilia's little +companions crowded round her, and they all left the hall in an instant. +She was full of spirits and vanity—she ran on, running down the flight +of steps which led to the garden. In her violent haste, Cecilia threw +down the little Louisa. Louisa had a china mandarin in her hand, which +her mother had sent her that very morning; it was all broke to pieces by +the fall. +</p> +<p> +"Oh! my mandarin!" cried Louisa, bursting into tears. The crowd behind +Cecilia suddenly stopped. Louisa sat on the lowest step, fixing her eyes +upon the broken pieces; then turning round, she hid her face in her +hands upon the step above her. In turning, Louisa threw down the remains +of the mandarin; the head, which she had placed in the socket, fell from +the shoulders, and rolled bounding along the gravel-walk. Cecilia +pointed to the head and to the socket, and burst out laughing; the crowd +behind laughed too. At any other time they would have been more inclined +to cry with Louisa; but Cecilia had just been successful, and sympathy +with the victorious often makes us forget justice. Leonora, however, +preserved her usual consistency. "Poor Louisa!" said she, looking first +at her, and then reproachfully at Cecilia. Cecilia turned sharply round, +colouring, half with shame and half with vexation. "I could not help it, +Leonora," said she. +</p> +<p> +"But you could have helped laughing, Cecilia." "I didn't laugh at +Louisa; and I surely may laugh, for it does nobody any harm." "I am +sure, however," replied Leonora, "I should not have laughed if I +had——" "No, to be sure you wouldn't, because Louisa is your favourite. +I can buy her another mandarin the next time that old pedlar comes to +the door, if that's all. I <i>can</i> do no more. <i>Can</i> I?" said she, +turning round to her companions. "No, to be sure," said they, "that's all +fair." +</p> +<p> +Cecilia looked triumphantly at Leonora. Leonora let go her hand; she ran +on, and the crowd followed. When she got to the end of the garden, she +turned round to see if Leonora had followed her too; but was vexed to +see her still sitting on the steps with Louisa. "I'm sure I can do no +more than buy her another! <i>Can</i> I?" said she, again appealing to her +companions. +</p> +<p> +"No, to be sure," said they, eager to begin their plays. How many did +they begin and leave off before Cecilia could be satisfied with any. +Her thoughts were discomposed, and her mind was running upon something +else; no wonder then that she did not play with her usual address. She +grew still more impatient; she threw down the nine-pins: "Come, let us +play at something else—at threading the needle," said she, holding out +her hand. They all yielded to the hand which wore the bracelet. But +Cecilia, dissatisfied with herself, was discontented with everybody +else; her tone grew more and more peremptory,—one was too rude, another +too stiff; one was too slow, another too quick; in short, everything +went wrong, and everybody was tired of her humours. +</p> +<p> +The triumph of <i>success</i> is absolute, but short. Cecilia's companions at +length recollected that, though she had embroidered a tulip and painted +a peach better than they, yet that they could play as well, and keep +their tempers better: she was thrown out. Walking towards the house in a +peevish mood, she met Leonora; she passed on. +</p> +<p> +"Cecilia!" cried Leonora. "Well, what do you want with me?" "Are we +friends?" "You know best." "We are; if you will let me tell Louisa that +you are sorry—" Cecilia, interrupting her, "O! pray let me hear no +more about Louisa!" "What! not confess that you were in the wrong! Oh, +Cecilia! I had a better opinion of you." "Your opinion is of no +consequence to me now; for you don't love me." "No, not when you are +unjust, Cecilia." "Unjust! I am not unjust; and if I were, you are not +my governess." "No, but am I not your friend?" "I don't desire to have +such a friend, who would quarrel with me for happening to throw down +little Louisa—how could I tell that she had a mandarin in her hand? and +when it was broken, could I do more than promise her another? Was that +unjust?" "But you know, Cecilia——" "<i>I know</i>," ironically, "I know, +Leonora, that you love Louisa better than you do me; that's the +injustice!" "If I did," replied Leonora gravely, "it would be no +injustice, if she deserved it better." "How can you compare Louisa to +me!" exclaimed Cecilia, indignantly. +</p> +<p> +Leonora made no answer, for she was really hurt at her friend's conduct; +she walked on to join the rest of her companions. They were dancing in a +round upon the grass. Leonora declined dancing, but they prevailed upon +her to sing for them; her voice was not so sprightly, but it was sweeter +than usual. Who sung so sweetly as Leonora? or who danced so nimbly as +Louisa? +</p> +<p> +Away she was flying, all spirits and gayety, when Leonora's eyes full of +tears, caught hers. Louisa silently let go her companions' hands, and +quitting the dance, ran up to Leonora to inquire what was the matter +with her. +</p> +<p> +"Nothing," replied she, "that need interrupt you,—Go, my dear, and +dance again." +</p> +<p> +Louisa immediately ran away to her garden, and pulling off her little +straw hat, she lined it with the freshest strawberry leaves, and was +upon her knees before the strawberry bed when Cecilia came by. Cecilia +was not disposed to be pleased with Louisa at that instant, for two +reasons: because she was jealous of her, and because she had injured +her. The injury, however, Louisa had already forgotten; perhaps, to tell +things just as they were, she was not quite so much inclined to kiss +Cecilia as she would have been before the fall of her mandarin, but this +was the utmost extent of her malice, if it can be called malice. +</p> +<p> +"What are you doing there, little one?" said Cecilia in a sharp tone. +"Are you eating your early strawberries here all alone?" "No," said +Louisa, mysteriously; "I am not eating them." "What are you doing with +them—can't you answer then? I'm not playing with you, child!" "Oh! as +to that, Cecilia, you know I need not answer you unless I choose it; not +but what I would, if you would only ask me civilly—and if you would not +call me <i>child</i>." "Why should not I call you child?" +"Because—because—I don't know;—but I wish you would stand out of my +light, Cecilia, for you are trampling upon all my strawberries." "I have +not touched one, you covetous little creature!" "Indeed—indeed, +Cecilia, I am not covetous. I have not eaten one of them—they are all +for your friend Leonora. See how unjust you are." "Unjust! that's a cant +word you learned of my friend Leonora, as you call her, but she is not +my friend now." "Not your friend now!" exclaimed Louisa. "Then I am sure +you must have done something <i>very</i> naughty." "How!" said Cecilia, +catching hold of her. "Let me go—Let me go!" cried Louisa, struggling. +"I won't give you one of my strawberries, for I don't like you at all." +"You don't, don't you?" said Cecilia, provoked; and catching the hat +from Louisa, she flung the strawberries over the hedge. "Will nobody +help me!" exclaimed Louisa, snatching her hat again, and running away +with all her force. +</p> +<p> +"What have I done?" said Cecilia, recollecting herself. "Louisa! +Louisa!" She called very loud, but Louisa would not turn back! she was +running to her companions. +</p> +<p> +They were still dancing, hand in hand, upon the grass, whilst Leonora, +sitting in the middle, sang to them. +</p> +<p> +"Stop! stop! and hear me!" cried Louisa, breaking through them; and +rushing up to Leonora, she threw her hat at her feet, and panting for +breath—— +</p> +<p> +"It was full—almost full of my own strawberries," said she, "the first +I ever got out of my own garden. They should all have been for you, +Leonora, but now I have not one left. They are all gone!" said she; and +she hid her face in Leonora's lap. +</p> +<p> +"Gone! gone where?" said every one at once, running up to her. "Cecilia! +Cecilia!" said she, sobbing. "Cecilia!" repeated Leonora; "what of +Cecilia?" "Yes, it was—it was." +</p> +<p> +"Come along with me," said Leonora, unwilling to have her friend +exposed; "come, and I will get you some more strawberries." "Oh, I don't +mind the strawberries, indeed; but I wanted to have had the pleasure of +giving them to you." +</p> +<p> +Leonora took her up in her arms to carry her away, but it was too late. +</p> +<p> +"What, Cecilia! Cecilia, who won the prize! It could not surely be +Cecilia," whispered every busy tongue. +</p> +<p> +At this instant the bell summoned them in. +</p> +<p> +"There she is!—There she is!" cried they, pointing to an arbour, where +Cecilia was standing, ashamed and alone; and as they passed her, some +lifted up their hands and eyes with astonishment, others whispered and +huddled mysteriously together, as if to avoid her. Leonora walked on, +her head a little higher than usual. +</p> +<p> +"Leonora!" said Cecilia, timorously, as she passed. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Cecilia! who would have thought that you had a bad heart?" +</p> +<p> +Cecilia turned her head aside and burst into tears. +</p> +<p> +"Oh no, indeed, she has not a bad heart," cried Louisa, running up to +her, and throwing her arms round her neck; "she's very sorry!—are not +you, Cecilia? But don't cry any more, for I forgive you with all my +heart; and I love you now, though I said I did not when I was in a +passion." +</p> +<p> +"O, you sweet-tempered girl! how I love you," said Cecilia, kissing her. +</p> +<p> +"Well then, if you do, come along with me, and dry your eyes, for they +are so red." +</p> +<p> +"Go, my dear, and I'll come presently." +</p> +<p> +"Then I will keep a place for you next to me; but you must make haste, +or you will have to come in when we have all set down to supper, and +then you will be so stared at! So don't stay now." +</p> +<p> +Cecilia followed Louisa with her eyes till she was out of sight. "And +is Louisa," said she to herself, "the only one who would stop to pity +me? Mrs. Villars told me that this day should be mine; she little +thought how it would end!" Saying these words, Cecilia threw herself +down upon the ground; her arm leaned upon a heap of turf which she had +raised in the morning, and which in the pride and gayety of her heart, +she had called her throne. +</p> +<p> +At this instant, Mrs. Villars came out to enjoy the serenity of the +evening, and passing by the arbour where Cecilia lay, she started; +Cecilia rose hastily. +</p> +<p> +"Who is there?" said Mrs. Villars. "It is I, madam." "And who is I?" +"Cecilia." "Why, what keeps you here, my dear—where are your +companions? this is, perhaps, one of the happiest days of your life." +</p> +<p> +"O no, madam!" said Cecilia, hardly able to repress her tears. +</p> +<p> +"Why, my dear, what is the matter?" +</p> +<p> +Cecilia hesitated. +</p> +<p> +"Speak, my dear. You know that when I ask you to tell me any thing as +your friend, I never punish you as your governess; therefore you need +not be afraid to tell me what is the matter." +</p> +<p> +"No, madam, I am not afraid, but ashamed. You asked me why I was not +with my companions. Why, madam, because they have all left me, and——" +"And what, my dear?" "And I see that they all dislike me. And yet I +don't know why they should, for I take as much pains to please as any of +them. All my masters seem satisfied with me; and you yourself, ma'am, +were pleased this very morning to give me this bracelet; and I am sure +you would not have given it to any one who did not deserve it." +"Certainly not. You did deserve it for your application—for your +successful application. The prize was for the most assiduous, not for +the most amiable." "Then if it had been for the most amiable it would +not have been for me?" +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Villars, smiling—"Why, what do you think yourself, Cecilia? You +are better able to judge than I am. I can determine whether or no you +apply to what I give you to learn; whether you attend to what I desire +you to do, and avoid what I desire you not to do. I know that I like you +as a pupil, but I cannot know that I should like you as a companion, +unless I were your companion; therefore I must judge of what I should do +by seeing what others do in the same circumstances." +</p> +<p> +"O, pray don't, ma'am; for then you would not love me neither. And yet I +think you would love me; for I hope that I am as ready to oblige, and as +good-natured, as——" "Yes, Cecilia, I don't doubt but that you would be +very good-natured to me, but I am afraid that I should not like you +unless you were good-tempered too." "But, ma'am, by good-natured I mean +good-tempered—it's all the same thing." "No, indeed, I understand by +them two very different things. You are good-natured, Cecilia, for you +are desirous to oblige and serve your companions, to gain them praise +and save them from blame, to give them pleasure, and to relieve them +from pain; but Leonora is good-tempered, for she can bear with their +foibles, and acknowledge her own. Without disputing about the right, she +sometimes yields to those who are in the wrong. In short, her temper is +perfectly good, for it can bear and forbear." +</p> +<p> +"I wish that mine could," said Cecilia, sighing. +</p> +<p> +"It may," replied Mrs. Villars; "but it is not wishes alone which can +improve us in any thing. Turn the same exertion and perseverance which +have won you the prize to-day to this object, and you will meet with the +same success; perhaps not on the first, the second, or the third +attempt, but depend upon it that you will at last; every new effort will +weaken your bad habits and strengthen your good ones. But you must not +expect to succeed all at once; I repeat it to you, for habit must be +counteracted by habit. It would be as extravagant in us to expect that +all our faults could be destroyed by one punishment, were it ever so +severe, as it was in the Roman emperor we were reading of a few days ago +to wish that all the heads of his enemies were upon one neck, that he +might cut them off by one blow." +</p> +<p> +Here Mrs. Villars took Cecilia by the hand, and they began to walk home. +Such was the nature of Cecilia's mind, that, when any object was +forcibly impressed on her imagination, it caused a temporary suspension +of her reasoning faculties. Hope was too strong a stimulus for her +spirits; and when fear did take possession of her mind, it was attended +with total debility. Her vanity was now as much mortified as in the +morning it had been elated. She walked on with Mrs. Villars in silence +until they came under the shade of the elm-tree walk, and then, fixing +her eyes upon Mrs. Villars, she stopped short. "Do you think, madam," +said she, with hesitation, "do you think, madam, that I have a bad +heart?" +</p> +<p> +"A bad heart, my dear! why, what put that into your head?" +</p> +<p> +"Leonora said that I had, ma'am, and I felt ashamed when she said so." +</p> +<p> +"But, my dear, how can Leonora tell whether your heart be good or bad? +However, in the first place, tell me what you mean by a bad heart." +</p> +<p> +"Indeed, I do not know what is meant by it, ma'am; but it is something +which every body hates." +</p> +<p> +"And why do they hate it?" +</p> +<p> +"Because they think that it will hurt them, ma'am, I believe; and that +those who have bad hearts take delight in doing mischief; and that they +never do any body good but for their own ends." +</p> +<p> +"Then the best definition which you can give me of a bad heart is that +it is some constant propensity to hurt others, and to do wrong for the +sake of doing wrong." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, ma'am, but that is not all neither; there is still something else +meant; something which I cannot express—which, indeed, I never +distinctly understood; but of which, therefore, I was the more afraid." +</p> +<p> +"Well, then, to begin with what you do understand, tell me, Cecilia, do +you really think it possible to be wicked merely for the love of +wickedness? No human being becomes wicked all at once; a man begins by +doing wrong because it is, or because he thinks it is for his interest; +if he continue to do so, he must conquer his sense of shame, and lose +his love of virtue. But how can you, Cecilia, who feel such a strong +sense of shame, and such an eager desire to improve, imagine that you +have a bad heart?" +</p> +<p> +"Indeed, madam, I never did, until every body told me so, and then I +began to be frightened about it. This very evening, ma'am, when I was +in a passion, I threw little Louisa's strawberries away; which, I am +sure, I was very sorry for afterwards; and Leonora and every body cried +out that I had a bad heart; but I am sure that I was only in a passion." +</p> +<p> +"Very likely. And when you are in a passion, as you call it, Cecilia, +you see that you are tempted to do harm to others; if they do not feel +angry themselves, they do not sympathize with you; they do not perceive +the motive which actuates you, and then they say that you have a bad +heart. I dare say, however, when your passion is over, and when you +recollect yourself, you are very sorry for what you have done and said; +are not you?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, indeed, madam, very sorry." +</p> +<p> +"Then make that sorrow of use to you, Cecilia, and fix it steadily in +your thoughts, as you hope to be good and happy, that, if you suffer +yourself to yield to your passion upon every trifling occasion, anger +and its consequences will become familiar to your mind; and in the same +proportion your sense of shame will be weakened, till what you began +with doing from sudden impulse you will end with doing from habit and +choice; and then you would, indeed, according to our definition, have a +bad heart." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, madam! I hope—I am sure I never shall." +</p> +<p> +"No, indeed, Cecilia; I do, indeed, believe that you never will; on the +contrary, I think that you have a very good disposition, and, what is of +infinitely more consequence to you, an active desire of improvement. +Show me that you have as much perseverance as you have candour, and I +shall not despair of your becoming every thing that I could wish." +</p> +<p> +Here Cecilia's countenance brightened, and she ran up the steps in +almost as high spirits as she ran down them in the morning. +</p> +<p> +"Good night to you, Cecilia," said Mrs. Villars, as she was crossing the +hall. "Good night to you, madam," said Cecilia; and she ran up stairs +to bed. +</p> +<p> +She could not go to sleep, but she lay awake reflecting upon the events +of the preceding day, and forming resolutions for the future; at the +same time, considering that she had resolved, and resolved without +effect, she wished to give her mind some more powerful motive; ambition +she knew to be its most powerful incentive. +</p> +<p> +"Have I not," said she to herself, "already won the prize of +application, and cannot the same application procure me a much higher +prize? Mrs. Villars said that if the prize had been promised to the most +amiable it would not have been given to me; perhaps it would not +yesterday—perhaps it might not to-morrow; but that is no reason that I +should despair of ever deserving it." +</p> +<p> +In consequence of this reasoning, Cecilia formed a design of proposing +to her companions that they should give a prize, the first of the +ensuing month (the first of June), to the most amiable. Mrs. Villars +applauded the scheme, and her companions adopted it with the greatest +alacrity. +</p> +<p> +"Let the prize," said they, "be a bracelet of our own hair;" and +instantly their shining scissors were procured, and each contributed a +lock of her hair. They formed the most beautiful gradation of colours, +from the palest auburn to the brightest black. Who was to have the +honour of plaiting them was now the question. +</p> +<p> +Caroline begged that she might, as she could plait very neatly, she +said. +</p> +<p> +Cecilia, however, was equally sure that she could do it much better, and +a dispute would inevitably have ensued, if Cecilia, recollecting herself +just as her colour rose to scarlet, had not yielded—yielded with no +very good grace indeed, but as well as could be expected for the first +time. For it is habit which confers ease; and without ease, even in +moral actions, there can be no grace. +</p> +<p> +The bracelet was plaited in the neatest manner by Caroline, finished +round the edge with silver twist, and on it was worked, in the smallest +silver letters, this motto, TO THE MOST AMIABLE. The moment it was +completed, every body begged to try it on. It fastened with little +silver clasps, and as it was made large enough for the eldest girls, it +was too large for the youngest; of this they bitterly complained, and +unanimously entreated that it might be cut to fit them. +</p> +<p> +"How foolish!" exclaimed Cecilia. "Don't you perceive that, if you win +it, you have nothing to do but to put the clasps a little further from +the edge? but if we get it, we can't make it larger." +</p> +<p> +"Very true," said they, "but you need not to have called us foolish, +Cecilia!" +</p> +<p> +It was by such hasty and unguarded expressions as these that Cecilia +offended; a slight difference in the manner makes a very material one in +the effect. Cecilia lost more love by general petulance than she could +gain by the greatest particular exertions. +</p> +<p> +How far she succeeded in curing herself of this defect, how far she +became deserving of the bracelet, and to whom the bracelet was given, +shall be told in the history of the first of June. +<p> </p> +<p class="toc"> +<h3> +<a name="CH2">CONTINUATION OF THE BRACELETS.</a> +</h3> +The first of June was now arrived, and all the young competitors were in +a state of the most anxious suspense. Leonora and Cecilia continued to +be the foremost candidates; their quarrel had never been finally +adjusted, and their different pretensions now retarded all thoughts of a +reconciliation. Cecilia, though she was capable of acknowledging any of +her faults in public before all her companions, could not humble herself +in private to Leonora; Leonora was her equal, they were her inferiors; +and submission is much easier to a vain mind, where it appears to be +voluntary, than when it is the necessary tribute to justice or candour. +So strongly did Cecilia feel this truth that she even delayed making any +apology, or coming to any explanation with Leonora, until success should +once more give her the palm. +<p> +If I win the bracelet to-day, said she to herself, I will solicit the +return of Leonora's friendship; it will be more valuable to me than even +the bracelet; and at such a time, and asked in such a manner, she surely +cannot refuse it to me. Animated with this hope of a double triumph, +Cecilia canvassed with the most zealous activity; by constant attention +and exertion she had considerably abated the violence of her temper, and +changed the course of her habits. Her powers of pleasing were now +excited, instead of her abilities to excel; and, if her talents appeared +less brilliant, her character was acknowledged to be more amiable; so +great an influence upon our manners and conduct have the objects of our +ambition. Cecilia was now, if possible, more than ever desirous of +doing what was right, but she had not yet acquired sufficient fear of +doing wrong. This was the fundamental error of her mind; it arose in a +great measure from her early education. +</p> +<p> +Her mother died when she was very young; and though her father had +supplied her place in the best and kindest manner, he had insensibly +infused into his daughter's mind a portion of that enterprising, +independent spirit, which he justly deemed essential to the character of +her brother. This brother was some years older than Cecilia, but he had +always been the favourite companion of her youth; what her father's +precepts inculcated, his example enforced, and even Cecilia's virtues +consequently became such as were more estimable in a man than desirable +in a female. +</p> +<p> +All small objects and small errors she had been taught to disregard as +trifles; and her impatient disposition was perpetually leading her into +more material faults; yet her candour in confessing these, she had been +suffered to believe, was sufficient reparation and atonement. +</p> +<p> +Leonora, on the contrary, who had been educated by her mother in a +manner more suited to her sex, had a character and virtues more peculiar +to a female; her judgment had been early cultivated, and her good sense +employed in the regulation of her conduct; she had been habituated to +that restraint, which, as a woman, she was to expect in life, and early +accustomed to yield; compliance in her seemed natural and graceful. +</p> +<p> +Yet, notwithstanding the gentleness of her temper, she was in reality +more independent than Cecilia; she had more reliance upon her own +judgment, and more satisfaction in her own approbation. Though far from +insensible to praise, she was not liable to be misled by the +indiscriminate love of admiration; the uniform kindness of her manner, +the consistency and equality of her character, had fixed the esteem and +passive love of her companions. +</p> +<p> +By passive love, we mean that species of affection which makes us +unwilling to offend, rather than anxious to oblige; which is more a +habit than an emotion of the mind. For Cecilia, her companions felt +active love, for she was active in showing her love to them. +</p> +<p> +Active love arises spontaneously in the mind, after feeling particular +instances of kindness, without reflection on the past conduct or general +character; it exceeds the merits of its object, and is connected with a +feeling of generosity, rather than with a sense of justice. +</p> +<p> +Without determining which species of love is the more flattering to +others, we can easily decide which is the most agreeable feeling to our +own minds; we give our hearts more credit for being generous than for +being just; and we feel more self-complacency when we give our love +voluntarily, than when we yield it as a tribute which we cannot +withhold. Though Cecilia's companions might not know all this in theory, +they proved it in practice; for they loved her in a much higher +proportion to her merits than they loved Leonora. +</p> +<p> +Each of the young judges were to signify their choice by putting a red +or a white shell into a vase prepared for the purpose. Cecilia's colour +was red, Leonora's white. In the morning nothing was to be seen but +these shells, nothing talked of but the long-expected event of the +evening. Cecilia, following Leonora's example, had made it a point of +honour not to inquire of any individual her vote previous to their final +determination. +</p> +<p> +They were both sitting together in Louisa's room; Louisa was recovering +from the measles. Every one, during her illness, had been desirous of +attending her; but Leonora and Cecilia were the only two that were +permitted to see her, as they alone had had the distemper. They were +both assiduous in their care of Louisa; but Leonora's want of exertion +to overcome any disagreeable feelings of sensibility often deprived her +of presence of mind, and prevented her being so constantly useful as +Cecilia. Cecilia, on the contrary, often made too much noise and bustle +with her officious assistance, and was too anxious to invent amusements +and procure comforts for Louisa, without perceiving that illness takes +away the power of enjoying them. +</p> +<p> +As she was sitting in the window in the morning, exerting herself to +entertain Louisa, she heard the voice of an old pedlar who often used to +come to the house. Down stairs she ran immediately to ask Mrs. Villars's +permission to bring him into the hall. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Villars consented, and away Cecilia ran to proclaim the news to her +companions; then first returning into the hall, she found the pedlar +just unbuckling his box, and taking it off his shoulders. "What would +you be pleased to want, Miss?" said he. "I've all kinds of +tweezer-cases, rings, and lockets of all sorts," continued he, opening +all the glittering drawers successively. +</p> +<p> +"Oh!" said Cecilia, shutting the drawer of lockets which tempted her +most, "these are not the things which I want; have you any china +figures, any mandarins?" +</p> +<p> +"Alack-a-day, Miss, I had a great stock of that same china ware, but now +I'm quite out of them kind of things; but I believe," said he, rummaging +in one of the deepest drawers, "I believe I have one left, and here it +is." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, that is the very thing! what's its price?" +</p> +<p> +"Only three shillings, ma'am." Cecilia paid the money, and was just +going to carry off the mandarin, when the pedlar took out of his +great-coat pocket a neat mahogany case; it was about a foot long, and +fastened at each end by two little clasps; it had besides a small lock +in the middle. +</p> +<p> +"What is that?" said Cecilia, eagerly. +</p> +<p> +"It's only a china figure, Miss, which I am going to carry to an +elderly lady, who lives nigh at hand, and who is mighty fond of such +things." +</p> +<p> +"Could you let me look at it?" +</p> +<p> +"And welcome, Miss," said he, and opened the case. +</p> +<p> +"O goodness! how beautiful!" exclaimed Cecilia. +</p> +<p> +It was a figure of Flora, crowned with roses, and carrying a basket of +flowers in her hand. Cecilia contemplated it with delight. "How I should +like to give this to Louisa," said she to herself; and at last breaking +silence, "Did you promise it to the old lady?" +</p> +<p> +"O no, Miss; I didn't promise it—she never saw it; and if so be that +you'd like to take it, I'd make no more words about it." +</p> +<p> +"And how much does it cost?" +</p> +<p> +"Why, Miss, as to that, I'll let you have it for half-a-guinea." +</p> +<p> +<a name="image-3"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/treasure.jpg" width="206" height="264" +alt="treasure box" > +</p> +<p> +Cecilia immediately produced the box in which she kept her treasure, and +emptying it upon the table, she began to count the shillings; alas! +there were but six shillings. "How provoking!" said she; "then I can't +have it—where's the mandarin? O I have it," said she, taking it up, and +looking at it with the utmost disgust. "Is this the same that I had +before?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, Miss, the very same," replied the pedlar, who, during this time, +had been examining the little box out of which Cecilia had taken her +money; it was of silver. +</p> +<p> +"Why, ma'am," said he, "since you've taken such a fancy to the piece, if +you've a mind to make up the remainder of the money, I will take this +here little box, if you care to part with it." +</p> +<p> +Now this box was a keepsake from Leonora to Cecilia. "No," said Cecilia +hastily, blushing a little, and stretching out her hand to receive it. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Miss!" said he, returning it carelessly, "I hope there's no +offence; I meant but to serve you, that's all. Such a rare piece of +china-work has no cause to go a begging," added he, putting the Flora +deliberately into the case; then turning the key with a jerk, he let it +drop into his pocket, and lifting up his box by the leather straps, he +was preparing to depart. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, stay one minute!" said Cecilia, in whose mind there had passed a +very warm conflict during the pedlar's harangue. "Louisa would so like +this Flora," said she, arguing with herself; "besides, it would be so +generous in me to give it to her instead of that ugly mandarin; that +would be doing only common justice, for I promised it to her, and she +expects it. Though, when I come to look at this mandarin, it is not even +so good as hers was; the gilding is all rubbed off, so that I absolutely +must buy this for her. O yes, I will, and she will be so delighted! and +then every body will say it is the prettiest thing they ever saw, and +the broken mandarin will be forgotten forever." +</p> +<p> +Here Cecilia's hand moved, and she was just going to decide: "O! but +stop," said she to herself; "consider Leonora gave me this box, and it +is a keepsake; however, now we have quarreled, and I dare say that she +would not mind my parting with it; I'm sure that I should not care if +she was to give away my keepsake the smelling bottle, or the ring which +I gave her; so what does it signify; besides, is it not my own, and have +I not a right to do what I please with it?" +</p> +<p> +At this dangerous instant for Cecilia, a party of her companions opened +the door; she knew that they came as purchasers, and she dreaded her +Flora's becoming the prize of some higher bidder. "Here," said she, +hastily putting the box into the pedlar's hand, without looking at it; +"take it, and give me the Flora." Her hand trembled, though she snatched +it impatiently; she ran by, without seeming to mind any of her +companions—she almost wished to turn back. +</p> +<p> +Let those who are tempted to do wrong by the hopes of future +gratification, or the prospect of certain concealment and impunity, +remember that, unless they are totally depraved, they bear in their own +hearts a monitor who will prevent their enjoying what they have ill +obtained. +</p> +<p> +In vain Cecilia ran to the rest of her companions, to display her +present, in hopes that the applause of others would restore her own +self-complacency; in vain she saw the Flora pass in due pomp from hand +to hand, each viewing with the other in extolling the beauty of the gift +and the generosity of the giver. Cecilia was still displeased with +herself, with them, and even with their praise; from Louisa's gratitude, +however, she yet expected much pleasure, and immediately she ran up +stairs to her room. +</p> +<p> +In the mean time Leonora had gone into the hall to buy a bodkin; she had +just broken hers. In giving her change, the pedlar took out of his +pocket, with some half-pence, the very box which Cecilia had sold him. +Leonora did not in the least suspect the truth, for her mind was above +suspicion; and besides, she had the utmost confidence in Cecilia. "I +should like to have that box," said she, "for it is like one of which I +was very fond." +</p> +<p> +The pedlar named the price, and Leonora took the box; she intended to +give it to little Louisa. +</p> +<p> +On going to her room she found her asleep, and she sat down softly by +her bed-side. Louisa opened her eyes. +</p> +<p> +"I hope I didn't disturb you," said Leonora. +</p> +<p> +"O no; I didn't hear you come in; but what have you got there?" +</p> +<p> +"It is only a little box; would you like to have it? I bought it on +purpose for you, as I thought perhaps it would please you; because it's +like that which I gave Cecilia." +</p> +<p> +"O yes! that out of which she used to give me Barbary drops. I am very +much obliged to you. I always thought <i>that</i> exceedingly pretty; and +this, indeed, is as like it as possible. I can't unscrew it; will you +try?" +</p> +<p> +Leonora unscrewed it. +</p> +<p> +"Goodness!" exclaimed Louisa, "this must be Cecilia's box; look, don't +you see a great L at the bottom of it?" +</p> +<p> +Leonora's colour changed. "Yes," she replied calmly, "I see that, but it +is no proof that it is Cecilia's; you know that I bought this box just +now of the pedlar." +</p> +<p> +"That may be," said Louisa; "but I remember scratching that L with my +own needle, and Cecilia scolded me for it, too. Do go and ask her if she +has lost her box—do," repeated Louisa, pulling her by the sleeve, as +she did not seem to listen. +</p> +<p> +Leonora indeed did not hear, for she was lost in thought; she was +comparing circumstances, which had before escaped her attention. She +recollected that Cecilia had passed her as she came into the hall, +without seeming to see her, but had blushed as she passed. She +remembered that the pedlar appeared unwilling to part with the box, and +was going to put it again into his pocket with the half-pence; "and why +should he keep it in his pocket and not show it with his other things?" +Combining all these circumstances, Leonora had no longer any doubt of +the truth; for though she had honourable confidence in her friends, she +had too much penetration to be implicitly credulous. "Louisa," she +began, but at this instant she heard a step, which, by its quickness, +she knew to be Cecilia's, coming along the passage. "If you love me, +Louisa," said Leonora, "say nothing about the box." +</p> +<p> +"Nay, but why not? I dare say she has lost it." +</p> +<p> +"No, my dear, I am afraid she has not." Louisa looked surprised. +</p> +<p> +"But I have reasons for desiring you not to say any thing about it." +</p> +<p> +"Well, then, I won't, indeed." +</p> +<p> +Cecilia opened the door, came forward smiling, as if secure of a good +reception, and, taking the Flora out of the case, she placed it on the +mantel-piece, opposite to Louisa's bed. "Dear, how beautiful," cried +Louisa, starting up. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Cecilia, "and guess who it's for?" +</p> +<p> +"For me, perhaps!" said the ingenuous Louisa. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, take it, and keep it for my sake; you know that I broke your +mandarin." +</p> +<p> +"O! but this is a great deal prettier and larger than that." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I know it is; and I meant that it should be so. I should only have +done what I was bound to do if I had only given you a mandarin." +</p> +<p> +"Well, and that would have been enough, surely; but what a beautiful +crown of roses! and then that basket of flowers! they almost look as if +I could smell them. Dear Cecilia! I'm very much obliged to you, but I +won't take it by way of payment for the mandarin you broke; for I'm sure +you could not help that; and, besides, I should have broken it myself by +this time. You shall give it to me entirely, and I'll keep it as long as +I live as your keepsake." +</p> +<p> +Louisa stopped short and coloured. The word keepsake recalled the box +to her mind, and all the train of ideas which the Flora had banished. +"But," said she, looking up wishfully in Cecilia's face, and holding the +Flora doubtfully, "did you——" +</p> +<p> +Leonora, who was just quitting the room, turned her head back, and gave +Louisa a look, which silenced her. +</p> +<p> +Cecilia was so infatuated with her vanity, that she neither perceived +Leonora's sign, nor Louisa's confusion, but continued showing off her +present, by placing it in various situations, till at length she put it +into the case, and laying it down with an affected carelessness upon the +bed, "I must go now, Louisa. Good bye," said she, running up and kissing +her; "but I'll come again presently;" then clapping the door after her, +she went. +</p> +<p> +But as soon as the fermentation of her spirits subsided, the sense of +shame, which had been scarcely felt when mixed with so many other +sensations, rose uppermost in her mind. "What?" said she to herself, +"is it possible that I have sold what I promised to keep for ever? and +what Leonora gave me? and I have concealed it too, and have been making +a parade of my generosity. O! what would Leonora, what would Louisa, +what would every body think of me, if the truth were known?" +</p> +<p> +Humiliated and grieved by these reflections, Cecilia began to search in +her own mind for some consoling idea. She began to compare her conduct +with the conduct of others of her own age; and at length, fixing her +comparison upon her brother George, as the companion of whom, from her +infancy, she had been habitually the most emulous, she recollected that +an almost similar circumstance had once happened to him, and that he had +not only escaped disgrace, but had acquired glory by an intrepid +confession of his fault. Her father's words to her brother, on that +occasion, she also perfectly recollected. +</p> +<p> +"Come to me, George," he said, holding out his hand; "you are a +generous, brave boy. They who dare to confess their faults will make +great and good men." +</p> +<p> +These were his words; but Cecilia, in repeating them to herself, forgot +to lay that emphasis on the word <i>men</i>, which would have placed it in +contradistinction to the word women. She willingly believed that the +observation extended equally to both sexes, and flattered herself that +she should exceed her brother in merit, if she owned a fault which she +thought that it would be so much more difficult to confess. "Yes, but," +said she, stopping herself, "how can I confess it? This very evening, in +a few hours, the prize will be decided; Leonora or I shall win it. I +have now as good a chance as Leonora, perhaps a better; and must I give +up all my hopes? all that I have been labouring for this month past! O, +I never can;—if it were to-morrow, or yesterday, or any day but this, I +would not hesitate, but now I am almost certain of the prize, and if I +win it—well, why then I will—I think, I will tell all—yes, I will; I +am determined," said Cecilia. +</p> +<p> +Here a bell summoned them to dinner. Leonora sat opposite to her, and +she was not a little surprised to see Cecilia look so gay and +unrestrained. "Surely," said she to herself, "if Cecilia had done this, +that I suspect, she would not, she could not look as she does." But +Leonora little knew the cause of her gayety; Cecilia was never in higher +spirits, or better pleased with herself, than when she had resolved upon +a sacrifice or a confession. +</p> +<p> +"Must not this evening be given to the most amiable? Whose, then, will +it be?" All eyes glanced first at Cecilia and then at Leonora. Cecilia +smiled; Leonora blushed. "I see that it is not yet decided," said Mrs. +Villars; and immediately they ran up stairs, amidst confused +whisperings. +</p> +<p> +Cecilia's voice could be distinguished far above the rest. "How can she +be so happy?" said Leonora to herself. "O, Cecilia, there was a time +when you could not have neglected me so!—when we were always together, +the best of friends and companions, our wishes, tastes, and pleasures +the same. Surely she did once love me," said Leonora; "but now she is +quite changed. She has even sold my keepsake, and would rather win a +bracelet of hair from girls whom she did not always think so much +superior to Leonora, than have my esteem, my confidence, and my +friendship, for her whole life; yes, for her whole life, for I am sure +she will be an amiable woman. Oh that this bracelet had never been +thought of, or that I was certain of her winning it; for I am certain +that I do not wish to win it from her. I would rather, a thousand times +rather, that we were as we used to be, than have all the glory in the +world. And how pleasing Cecilia can be when she wishes to please! how +candid she is! how much she can improve herself!—let me be just, +though she has offended me—she is wonderfully improved within this last +month; for one fault, and <i>that</i> against myself, should I forget all her +merits?" +</p> +<p> +As Leonora said these last words, she could but just hear the voices of +her companions; they had left her alone in the gallery. She knocked +softly at Louisa's door——"Come in," said Louisa. "I in not asleep. Oh," +said she, starting up with the Flora in her hand, the instant that the +door was opened. "I'm so glad you are come, Leonora, for I did so long +to hear what you were all making such a noise about—have you forgot +that the bracelet——" +</p> +<p> +"O yes! is this the evening?" +</p> +<p> +"Well, here's my white shell for you. I've kept it in my pocket this +fortnight; and though Cecilia did give me this Flora, I still love you a +great deal better." +</p> +<p> +"I thank you, Louisa," said Leonora, gratefully. "I will take your +shell, and I shall value it as long as I live. But here is a red one, +and if you wish to show me that you love me, you will give this to +Cecilia. I know that she is particularly anxious for your preference, +and I am sure that she deserves it." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, if I could I would choose both of you; but you know I can only +choose which I like the best." +</p> +<p> +"If you mean, my dear Louisa," said Leonora, "that you like me the best, +I am very much obliged to you; for, indeed I wish you to love me; but it +is enough for me to know it in private. I should not feel the least more +pleasure at hearing it in public, or in having it made known to all my +companions, especially at a time when it would give poor Cecilia a great +deal of pain." +</p> +<p> +"But why should it give her pain? I don't like her for being jealous of +you." +</p> +<p> +"Nay, Louisa, surely you don't think Cecilia jealous; she only tries to +excel and to please. She is more anxious to succeed than I am, it is +true, because she has a great deal more activity, and perhaps more +ambition; and it would really mortify her to lose this prize. You know +that she proposed it herself; it has been her object for this month +past, and I am sure she has taken great pains to obtain it." +</p> +<p> +"But, dear Leonora, why should you lose it?" +</p> +<p> +"Indeed, my dear, it would be no loss to me; and, if it were, I would +willingly suffer it for Cecilia; for, though we seem not to be such good +friends as we used to be, I love her very much, and she will love me +again, I'm sure she will; when she no longer fears me as a rival, she +will again love me as a friend." +</p> +<p> +Here Leonora heard a number of her companions running along the gallery. +They all knocked hastily at the door, calling, "Leonora! Leonora! will +you never come? Cecilia has been with us this half hour." +</p> +<p> +Leonora smiled. "Well, Louisa," said she, smiling, "will you promise +me?" +</p> +<p> +"O, I'm sure, by the way they speak to you, that they won't give you +the prize!" said the little Louisa; and the tears started into her eyes. +</p> +<p> +"They love me though, for all that; and as for the prize, you know whom +I wish to have it." +</p> +<p> +"Leonora! Leonora!" called her impatient companions; "don't you hear us? +What are you about?" +</p> +<p> +"O, she never will take any trouble about any thing," said one of the +party; "let's go away." +</p> +<p> +"O go! go! make haste," cried Louisa; "don't stay, they are so angry—I +will, I will, indeed!" +</p> +<p> +"Remember, then, that you have promised me," said Leonora, and she left +the room. During all this time Cecilia had been in the garden with her +companions. The ambition which she had felt to win the first prize, the +prize of superior talents and superior application, was not to be +compared to the absolute anxiety which she now expressed to win this +simple testimony of the love and approbation of her equals and rivals. +</p> +<p> +To employ her exuberant activity, she had been dragging branches of +lilacs, and laburnums, roses, and sweet-briar, to ornament the bower in +which her fate was to be decided. It was excessively hot, but her mind +was engaged, and she was indefatigable. She stood still, at last, to +admire her works; her companions all joined in loud applause. They were +not a little prejudiced in her favour by the great eagerness which she +expressed to win their prize, and by the great importance which she +seemed to affix to the preference of each individual. At last, "Where is +Leonora?" cried one of them, and immediately, as we have seen, they ran +to call her. +</p> +<p> +Cecilia was left alone. Overcome with heat and too violent exertion, she +had hardly strength to support herself; each moment appeared to her +intolerably long; she was in a state of the utmost suspense, and all her +courage failed her; even hope forsook her, and hope is a cordial which +leaves the mind depressed and enfeebled. "The time is now come," said +Cecilia; "in a few moments it will be decided. In a few moments! +goodness! how much I do hazard! If I should not win the prize, how shall +I confess what I have done? How shall I beg Leonora to forgive me? I, +who hoped to restore my friendship to her as an honour!—they are gone +to seek for her—the moment she appears I shall be forgotten—what +shall—what shall I do?" said Cecilia, covering her face with her hands. +</p> +<p> +Such was her situation, when Leonora, accompanied by her companions, +opened the hall-door; they most of them ran forward to Cecilia. As +Leonora came into the bower, she held out her hand to Cecilia——"We +are not rivals, but friends, I hope," said she. Cecilia clasped her +hand, but she was in too great agitation to speak. +</p> +<p> +The table was now set in the arbour—the vase was now placed in the +middle. "Well!" said Cecilia, eagerly, "who begins?" Caroline, one of +her friends, came forward first, and then all the others successively. +Cecilia's emotion was hardly conceivable.——"Now they are all in. +Count them, Caroline!" +</p> +<p> +"One, two, three, four; the numbers are both equal." There was a dead +silence. +</p> +<p> +"No, they are not," exclaimed Cecilia, pressing forward and putting +a shell into the vase——"I have not given mine, and I give it to +Leonora." Then snatching the bracelet, "It is yours, Leonora," said she; +"take it, and give me back your friendship." The whole assembly gave a +universal clap and shout of applause. +</p> +<p> +"I cannot be surprised at this from you, Cecilia," said Leonora; "and do +you then still love me as you used to do?" +</p> +<p> +"O Leonora! stop! don't praise me; I don't deserve this," said she, +turning to her loudly applauding companions; "you will soon despise +me—O Leonora, you will never forgive me!—I have deceived you—I have +sold——" +</p> +<p> +At this instant Mrs. Villars appeared—the crowd divided—she had heard +all that passed from her window. +</p> +<p> +"I applaud your generosity, Cecilia," said she, "but I am to tell you +that in this instance it is unsuccessful; you have it not in your power +to give the prize to Leonora—it is yours—I have another vote to give +you—you have forgotten Louisa." +</p> +<p> +"Louisa! but surely, ma'am, Louisa loves Leonora better than she does +me!" +</p> +<p> +"She commissioned me, however," said Mrs. Villars, "to give you a red +shell, and you will find it in this box." +</p> +<p> +Cecilia started, and turned as pale as death—it was the fatal box. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Villars produced another box—she opened it—it contained the +Flora—"And Louisa also desired me," said she, "to return you this +Flora"—she put it into Cecilia's hand—Cecilia trembled so that she +could not hold it; Leonora caught it. +</p> +<p> +"O, madam! O, Leonora!" exclaimed Cecilia; "now I have no hope left. I +intended, I was just going to tell——" +</p> +<p> +"Dear Cecilia," said Leonora, "you need not tell it me; I know it +already, and I forgive you with all my heart." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I can prove to you," said Mrs. Villars, "that Leonora has forgiven +you: it is she who has given you the prize; it was she who persuaded +Louisa to give you her vote. I went to see her a little while ago, and +perceiving, by her countenance, that something was the matter, I pressed +her to tell me what it was. +</p> +<p> +"'Why, madam,' said she, 'Leonora has made me promise to give my shell +to Cecilia. Now I don't love Cecilia half so well as I do Leonora; +besides, I would not have Cecilia think I vote for her because she gave +me a Flora.' Whilst Louisa was speaking," continued Mrs. Villars, "I saw +the silver box lying on the bed; I took it up, and asked if it was not +yours, and how she came by it. +</p> +<p> +"'Indeed, madam,' said Louisa, 'I could have been almost certain that +it was Cecilia's; but Leonora gave it me, and she said that she bought +it of the pedlar this morning. If any body else had told me so, I could +not have believed them, because I remembered the box so well; but I +can't help believing Leonora.' +</p> +<p> +"'But did you not ask Cecilia about it?' said I. +</p> +<p> +"'No, madam,' replied Louisa, 'for Leonora forbade me.' +</p> +<p> +"I guessed her reason. 'Well,' said I, 'give me the box, and I will +carry your shell in it to Cecilia.' +</p> +<p> +"'Then, madam,' said she, 'if I must give it her, pray do take the +Flora, and return it to her first, that she may not think it is for that +I do it.'" +</p> +<p> +"O, generous Leonora!" exclaimed Cecilia; "but indeed, Louisa, I cannot +take your shell." +</p> +<p> +"Then, dear Cecilia, accept of mine instead of it; you cannot refuse +it—I only follow your example. As for the bracelet," added Leonora, +taking Cecilia's hand, "I assure you I don't wish for it, and you do, +and you deserve it." +</p> +<p> +"No," said Cecilia, "indeed I do not deserve it; next to you, surely, +Louisa deserves it best." +</p> +<p> +"Louisa! O yes, Louisa," exclaimed every body with one voice. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Mrs. Villars, "and let Cecilia carry the bracelet to her; +she deserves that reward. For one fault I cannot forget all your merits, +Cecilia; nor, I am sure, will your companions." +</p> +<p> +"Then, surely, not your best friend," said Leonora, kissing her. +</p> +<p> +Every body present was moved—they looked up to Leonora with respectful +and affectionate admiration. +</p> +<p> +"O, Leonora, how I love you! and how I wish to be like you!" exclaimed +Cecilia; "to be as good, as generous!" +</p> +<p> +"Rather wish, Cecilia," interrupted Mrs. Villars, "to be as just; to be +as strictly honourable, and as invariably consistent. +</p> +<p> +"Remember that many of our sex are capable of great efforts, of making +what they call great sacrifices to virtue or to friendship; but few +treat their friends with habitual gentleness, or uniformly conduct +themselves with prudence and good sense." +</p> +<p> +THE END. +</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> +A CATALOGUE<br /> +OF<br /> +ILLUSTRATED AND ENTERTAINING<br /> +JUVENILE WORKS. +</h2> +<a name="image-4"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/appleton.jpg" width="217" height="141" +alt="Appleton List of Books" > +</p> + +<hr> +<h3> +LITTLE ANNIE'S FIRST BOOK,<br /> +CHIEFLY IN WORDS OF THREE LETTERS. +</h3> +<h5> +By Her Mother. +</h5> +<h5> +Illustrated with Seventy Designs. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<h5> +This little volume will commend itself to parents, as a book for +children who have just mastered the alphabet. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +THE TRAVELS<br /> +AND<br /> +EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES<br /> +OF<br /> +BOB THE SQUIRREL.<br /> +</h3> +<h5> +Illustrated with Twelve Engravings<br /> +by Distinguished Artists.<br /> +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<h5> +Bob's adventures are full of interest, and no child can fail to be +amused and permanently benefited by the perusal of them. The book is +designed for a child from six to ten years of age. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +CLARA'S AMUSEMENTS. +</h3> +<h5> +"Oh, happy childhood! whose sweet fruits of pleasure Are plucked in the +safe garden of thy home."—M.S. +</h5> +<h5> +By Mrs. Anna Bache. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated with Original Designs. +</h5> +<h5> +Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<a name="image-5"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/blossoms.jpg" width="166" height="124" +alt="Blossoms of Morality" > +</p> +<h3> +THE BLOSSOMS OF MORALITY;<br /> +INTENDED FOR THE AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION<br /> +OF YOUNG PEOPLE. +</h3> +<h5> +Illustrated with Twenty-three Designs by Darley. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume 15mo. Price 38 cts. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +HOLIDAY HOUSE:<br /> +A SERIES OF TALES +</h3> +<h5> +By Miss Sinclair. +</h5> +<h5> +From the third London Edition. +</h5> +<h5> +Prettily illustrated by Croome. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume 16mo. 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Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<a name="image-6"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/storybook.jpg" width="201" height="148" +alt="Child's Own Story Book" > +</p> +<hr> +<h3> +THE CHILD'S DELIGHT;<br /> +A GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS. +</h3> +<h5> +Edited by a lady. +</h5> +<h5> +Prettily Illustrated with Coloured Steel Engravings,<br /> +Designed by Croome. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<h2> +MARIA EDGEWORTH'S<br /> +CHEAP JUVENILE WORKS. +</h2> +<h3> +WASTE NOT, WANT NOT;<br /> +OR,<br /> +TWO STRINGS TO YOUR BOW. +</h3> +<h5> +By Maria Edgeworth. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +LAZY LAWRENCE;<br /> +OR,<br /> +INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS CONTRASTED. +</h3> +<h5> +By Maria Edgeworth. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +THE BRACELETS;<br /> +OR,<br /> +AMIABILITY AND INDUSTRY REWARDED. +</h3> +<h5> +By Maria Edgeworth. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +THE FIRESIDE STORY BOOK;<br /> +CONTAINING<br /> +"LAZY LAWRENCE" "WASTE NOT, WANT NOT,"<br /> +AND "THE BRACELETS." +</h3> +<h5> +Elegantly Illustrated. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<a name="image-7"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/bible.jpg" width="180" height="182" +alt="Mamma's Bible Stories" > +</p> +<h3> +MAMMA'S BIBLE STORIES<br /> +FOR HER<br /> +LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS. +</h3> +<h4> +A SERIES OF READING LESSONS TAKEN FROM THE BIBLE, AND<br /> +ADAPTED TO THE CAPACITIES OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN. +</h4> +<h5> +Illustrated with Numerous Engravings. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +GRANDMAMMA EASY'S<br /> +BEAUTIFUL TOY BOOKS,<br /> +FOR ALL GOOD CHILDREN. +</h3> +<h5> +Very large size, printed on very large type, and elegantly +coloured, with gilt edges. +</h5> +<h5> +Put up in wrappers, each containing one dozen. +</h5> +<h5> +Price $1.50 per Dozen. +</h5> +<h5> +CONTENTS. +</h5> +<h5> +New Story about Little Tom Thumb and his Mother.<br /> +New Little Stories about the Alphabet.<br /> +Merry Multiplication.<br /> +New Story about Old Daddy Longlegs.<br /> +New Story about Little Jack Horner, and of what his Pie was made.<br /> +Michaelmas Day, or the Fate of poor Molly Goosey.<br /> +Alderman's Feast: A new Alphabet.<br /> +New Story about the Queen of Hearts, and the Stolen Tarts.<br /> +New Pictorial Bible Alphabet.<br /> +Toy Shop Drolleries, or Wonders of a Toy Shop.<br /> +Travels of Matty Macaroni, the Little Organ Boy.<br /> +New Story of Joseph and his Brethren.<br /> +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +VERY LITTLE TALES FOR VERY LITTLE CHILDREN. +</h3> +<h5> +In single syllables of three and four letters. Large and bold type. +</h5> +<h5> +With Numerous Illustrations. +</h5> +<h5> +Two Volumes 32mo. Price 75 cents. +</h5> +<a name="image-8"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/tales.jpg" width="154" height="147" +alt="Very Little Tales for Very Little Children" > +</p> +<hr> +<h3> +LITTLE LESSONS FOR LITTLE LEARNERS. +</h3> +<h5> +In words of one syllable. +</h5> +<h5> +By Mrs. Barwell,<br /> +Author of "Mamma's Bible Stories." +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +POPULAR TALES. +</h3> +<h5> +By Maria Edgeworth. +</h5> +<h5> +With Original Designs by Croome. +</h5> +<h5> +CONTENTS. +</h5> +<h5> +MURAD THE UNLUCKY.<br /> +THE MANUFACTURERS.<br /> +THE CONTRAST.<br /> +THE GRATEFUL NEGRO.<br /> +TO-MORROW. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume 16mo. Price 75 cents. +</h5> +<h5> +"The writings of Maria Edgeworth have rarely been approached, and none +have excelled her. Her stories are so natural, and are told with such +truthfulness, that the reader becomes completely captivated." +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +MORAL TALES. +</h3> +<h5> +By Maria Edgeworth. +</h5> +<h5> +Embellished with Original Designs by Darley. +</h5> +<h5> +Price 75 cents. +</h5> +<h5> +"If we wished to do a young person good while offering amusement, to +improve the heart while engaging the attention, and to give him or her +little books which convey no false or distorted notions of life—Maria +Edgeworth is our author."—<i>Post</i>. +</h5> +<hr> +<a name="image-9"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/songs.jpg" width="139" height="134" +alt="Divine and Moral Songs" > +</p> +<h3> +DIVINE AND MORAL SONGS,<br /> +FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN +</h3> +<h5> +By Isaac Watts, D.D. +</h5> +<h5> +Illustrated with 24 Engravings in the Highest Style of Art. +</h5> +<h5> +One elegant Volume, 16mo. Price 75 cts. +</h5> +<h5> +"This will be a constant furniture for the minds of children, that they +may have something to think of when alone, and sing over to themselves. +This may sometimes give their thoughts a divine turn, and raise a young +meditation. Thus they will not be forced to seek relief for an emptiness +of mind out of the loose and dangerous sonnets of the age."—<i>Extract +from Author's Preface</i>. +</h5> +<hr> +<h2> +MRS. SHERWOOD'S<br /> +PRETTILY ILUSTRATED JUVENILES. +</h2> +<h3> +DUTY IS SAFETY;<br /> +OR,<br /> +TROUBLESOME TOM. +</h3> +<h5> +By Mrs. Sherwood. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. +</h3> +<h5> +By Mrs. Sherwood. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +JACK, THE SAILOR BOY. +</h3> +<h5> +By Mrs. Sherwood. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. +</h5> +<h3> +CLEVER STORIES FOR CLEVER BOYS AND GIRLS. +</h3> +<h5> +Containing +</h5> +<h5> +"Think before you Act," "Jack, the Sailor Boy," "Duty is Safety." +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. +</h5> +<h3> +THE PRIZE STORY BOOK;<br /> +CONSISTING CHIEFLY OF<br /> +TALES TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN,<br /> +FRENCH, AND ITALIAN,<br /> +TOGETHER WITH<br /> +SELECT TALES FROM THE ENGLISH.<br > +</h3> +<h5> +Illustrated with Numerous Designs. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Half cloth 50 cts.; cloth extra 63 cts. +</h5> +<a name="image-10"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/prize.jpg" width="170" height="132" +alt="The Prize Story Book" > +</p> +<hr> +<h3> +GEORGE'S JOURNEY<br /> +TO THE<br /> +LAND OF HAPPINESS. +</h3> +<h5> +By a Lady. +</h5> +<h5> +Illustrated with Sixteen Coloured Engravings. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +THE BOOK OF ANIMALS;<br /> +INTENDED FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT<br /> +AND INSTRUCTION<br /> +OF <br /> +YOUNG PEOPLE. +</h3> +<h5> +By R. Bilby. +</h5> +<h5> +Illustrated with Twelve Designs of Animals. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. +</h5> +<h5> +This volume is intended both as a useful and entertaining book for the +young, abounding with Anecdotes of the Quadrupeds, and illustrated with +numerous well executed designs. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +THE HAPPY CHILDREN;<br /> +A TALE OF HOME<br /> +FOR<br /> +YOUNG PEOPLE. +</h3> +<h5> +Illustrated with Elegant Engravings. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. +</h5> +<h5> +A very interesting volume for children from six to twelve years of age. +</h5> +<hr> +<h3> +RHYMES FOR THE NURSERY. +</h3> +<h5> +By the Author of "Original Poems." +</h5> +<h5> +Illustrated with Sixteen Designs. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. plain; 63 cts. coloured. +</h5> +<a name="image-11"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/rhymes.jpg" width="156" height="142" +alt="Rhymes for The Nursery" > +</p> +<hr> +<h3> +HOLIDAY TALES.<br /> +CONTAINING PLEASING STORIES FOR THE YOUNG. +</h3> +<h5> +Prettily Illustrated. +</h5> +<h5> +One Volume square 16mo. Price in half cloth, 25 cents; cloth gilt, +38 cents. +</h5> +<hr> +<a name="image-12"></a> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/picturebooks.jpg" width="150" height="135" +alt="Uncle John's Fancy Picture Books" > +</p> +<h3> +UNCLE JOHN'S<br /> +FANCY PICTURE BOOKS. +</h3> +<h5> +In a new and unique style, +put up in dozens assorted. Six kinds. +</h5> +<h5> +CONTENTS. +</h5> +<h5> +UNCLE JOHN'S PICTURE BIBLE ALPHABET.<br /> +UNCLE JOHN'S STORY OF BOB.<br /> +UNCLE JOHN'S STORY OF DOWNEY THE MOUSE.<br /> +UNCLE JOHN'S STORIES OF ANIMALS.<br /> +UNCLE JOHN'S BIBLE STORIES.<br /> +UNCLE JOHN'S LITTLE RHYMER. +</h5> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bracelets, by Maria Edgeworth + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRACELETS *** + +***** This file should be named 11121-h.htm or 11121-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/1/2/11121/ + +Produced by Internet Archive; University of Florida, Children, Andrea +Ball and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Bracelets + +Author: Maria Edgeworth + +Release Date: February 17, 2004 [EBook #11121] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRACELETS *** + + + + +Produced by Internet Archive; University of Florida, Children, Andrea +Ball and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +[Illustration: The Bracelets. Edgeworth.] + +[Illustration] + + +THE BRACELETS; + +OR, +AMIABILITY AND INDUSTRY REWARDED. + + +BY +MARIA EDGEWORTH, + +AUTHOR OF "POPULAR TALES," "MORAL TALES," ETC. ETC. + +With Illustrations from Original Designs. + + + +1850. + + + + +THE BRACELETS. + + * * * * * + +In a beautiful and retired part of England lived Mrs. Villars, a +lady whose accurate understanding, benevolent heart, and steady +temper, peculiarly fitted her for the most difficult, as well as most +important of all occupations--the education of youth. This task she had +undertaken; and twenty young persons were put under her care, with the +perfect confidence of their parents. No young people could be happier; +they were good and gay, emulous, but not envious of each other; for Mrs. +Villars was impartially just. Her praise they felt to be the reward of +merit, and her blame they knew to be the necessary consequence of ill +conduct; to the one, therefore, they patiently submitted, and in the +other consciously rejoiced. They rose with fresh cheerfulness in the +morning, eager to pursue their various occupations; they returned in the +evening with renewed ardour to their amusements, and retired to rest +satisfied with themselves and pleased with each other. + +Nothing so much contributed to preserve a spirit of emulation in this +little society as a small honorary distinction given annually, as the +prize of successful application. The prize this year was peculiarly dear +to each individual, as it was the picture of a friend whom they all +dearly loved--it was the picture of Mrs. Villars in a small bracelet. +It wanted neither gold, pearls, nor precious stones, to give it value. + +The two foremost candidates for the prize were Cecilia and Leonora. +Cecilia was the most intimate friend of Leonora, but Leonora was only +the favourite companion of Cecilia. + +Cecilia was of an active, ambitious, enterprising disposition; more +eager in the pursuit than happy in the enjoyment of her wishes. Leonora +was of a contented, unaspiring, temperate character, not easily roused +to action, but indefatigable when once excited. Leonora was proud, +Cecilia was vain. Her vanity made her more dependent upon the +approbation of others, and therefore more anxious to please, than +Leonora; but that very vanity made her, at the same time, more apt to +offend. In short, Leonora was the most anxious to avoid what was wrong, +Cecilia the most ambitious to do what was right. Few of their companions +loved, but many were led by Cecilia, for she was often successful; many +loved Leonora, but none were ever governed by her, for she was too +indolent to govern. + +On the first day of May, about six o'clock in the evening, a great bell +rang, to summon this little society into a hall, where the prize was to +be decided. A number of small tables were placed in a circle in the +middle of the hall; seats for the young competitors were raised one +above another, in a semicircle, some yards distant from the table; and +the judges' chairs, under canopies of lilacs and luburnums, forming +another semicircle, closed the amphitheatre. Every one put their +writings, their drawings, their works of various kinds, upon the tables +appropriated for each. How unsteady were the last steps to these tables! +How each little hand trembled as it laid down its claims! Till this +moment every one thought herself secure of success, but now each felt an +equal certainty of being excelled; and the heart which a few minutes +before exulted with hope, now palpitated with fear. + +The works were examined, the preference adjudged; and the prize was +declared to be the happy Cecilia's. Mrs. Villars came forward smiling, +with the bracelet in her hand. Cecilia was behind her companions, on the +highest row; all the others gave way, and she was on the floor in an +instant. Mrs. Villars clasped the bracelet on her arm; the clasp was +heard through the whole hall, and a universal smile of congratulation +followed. Mrs. Villars kissed Cecilia's little hand; and "now," said +she, "go and rejoice with your companions; the remainder of the day is +yours." + +Oh! you whose hearts are elated with success, whose bosoms beat high +with joy, in the moment of triumph, command yourselves; let that triumph +be moderate, that it may be lasting. Consider that, though you are good, +you may be better, and though wise, you may be weak. + +As soon as Mrs. Villars had given her the bracelet, all Cecilia's little +companions crowded round her, and they all left the hall in an instant. +She was full of spirits and vanity--she ran on, running down the flight +of steps which led to the garden. In her violent haste, Cecilia threw +down the little Louisa. Louisa had a china mandarin in her hand, which +her mother had sent her that very morning; it was all broke to pieces by +the fall. + +"Oh! my mandarin!" cried Louisa, bursting into tears. The crowd behind +Cecilia suddenly stopped. Louisa sat on the lowest step, fixing her eyes +upon the broken pieces; then turning round, she hid her face in her +hands upon the step above her. In turning, Louisa threw down the remains +of the mandarin; the head, which she had placed in the socket, fell from +the shoulders, and rolled bounding along the gravel-walk. Cecilia +pointed to the head and to the socket, and burst out laughing; the crowd +behind laughed too. At any other time they would have been more inclined +to cry with Louisa; but Cecilia had just been successful, and sympathy +with the victorious often makes us forget justice. Leonora, however, +preserved her usual consistency. "Poor Louisa!" said she, looking first +at her, and then reproachfully at Cecilia. Cecilia turned sharply round, +colouring, half with shame and half with vexation. "I could not help it, +Leonora," said she. + +"But you could have helped laughing, Cecilia." "I didn't laugh at +Louisa; and I surely may laugh, for it does nobody any harm." "I am +sure, however," replied Leonora, "I should not have laughed if I +had----" "No, to be sure you wouldn't, because Louisa is your favourite. +I can buy her another mandarin the next time that old pedlar comes to +the door, if that's all. I _can_ do no more. _Can_ I?" said she, +turning round to her companions. "No, to be sure," said they, "that's all +fair." + +Cecilia looked triumphantly at Leonora. Leonora let go her hand; she ran +on, and the crowd followed. When she got to the end of the garden, she +turned round to see if Leonora had followed her too; but was vexed to +see her still sitting on the steps with Louisa. "I'm sure I can do no +more than buy her another! _Can_ I?" said she, again appealing to her +companions. + +"No, to be sure," said they, eager to begin their plays. How many did +they begin and leave off before Cecilia could be satisfied with any. +Her thoughts were discomposed, and her mind was running upon something +else; no wonder then that she did not play with her usual address. She +grew still more impatient; she threw down the nine-pins: "Come, let us +play at something else--at threading the needle," said she, holding out +her hand. They all yielded to the hand which wore the bracelet. But +Cecilia, dissatisfied with herself, was discontented with everybody +else; her tone grew more and more peremptory,--one was too rude, another +too stiff; one was too slow, another too quick; in short, everything +went wrong, and everybody was tired of her humours. + +The triumph of _success_ is absolute, but short. Cecilia's companions at +length recollected that, though she had embroidered a tulip and painted +a peach better than they, yet that they could play as well, and keep +their tempers better: she was thrown out. Walking towards the house in a +peevish mood, she met Leonora; she passed on. + +"Cecilia!" cried Leonora. "Well, what do you want with me?" "Are we +friends?" "You know best." "We are; if you will let me tell Louisa that +you are sorry--" Cecilia, interrupting her, "O! pray let me hear no +more about Louisa!" "What! not confess that you were in the wrong! Oh, +Cecilia! I had a better opinion of you." "Your opinion is of no +consequence to me now; for you don't love me." "No, not when you are +unjust, Cecilia." "Unjust! I am not unjust; and if I were, you are not +my governess." "No, but am I not your friend?" "I don't desire to have +such a friend, who would quarrel with me for happening to throw down +little Louisa--how could I tell that she had a mandarin in her hand? and +when it was broken, could I do more than promise her another? Was that +unjust?" "But you know, Cecilia----" "_I know_," ironically, "I know, +Leonora, that you love Louisa better than you do me; that's the +injustice!" "If I did," replied Leonora gravely, "it would be no +injustice, if she deserved it better." "How can you compare Louisa to +me!" exclaimed Cecilia, indignantly. + +Leonora made no answer, for she was really hurt at her friend's conduct; +she walked on to join the rest of her companions. They were dancing in a +round upon the grass. Leonora declined dancing, but they prevailed upon +her to sing for them; her voice was not so sprightly, but it was sweeter +than usual. Who sung so sweetly as Leonora? or who danced so nimbly as +Louisa? + +Away she was flying, all spirits and gayety, when Leonora's eyes full of +tears, caught hers. Louisa silently let go her companions' hands, and +quitting the dance, ran up to Leonora to inquire what was the matter +with her. + +"Nothing," replied she, "that need interrupt you,--Go, my dear, and +dance again." + +Louisa immediately ran away to her garden, and pulling off her little +straw hat, she lined it with the freshest strawberry leaves, and was +upon her knees before the strawberry bed when Cecilia came by. Cecilia +was not disposed to be pleased with Louisa at that instant, for two +reasons: because she was jealous of her, and because she had injured +her. The injury, however, Louisa had already forgotten; perhaps, to tell +things just as they were, she was not quite so much inclined to kiss +Cecilia as she would have been before the fall of her mandarin, but this +was the utmost extent of her malice, if it can be called malice. + +"What are you doing there, little one?" said Cecilia in a sharp tone. +"Are you eating your early strawberries here all alone?" "No," said +Louisa, mysteriously; "I am not eating them." "What are you doing with +them--can't you answer then? I'm not playing with you, child!" "Oh! as +to that, Cecilia, you know I need not answer you unless I choose it; not +but what I would, if you would only ask me civilly--and if you would not +call me _child_." "Why should not I call you child?" +"Because--because--I don't know;--but I wish you would stand out of my +light, Cecilia, for you are trampling upon all my strawberries." "I have +not touched one, you covetous little creature!" "Indeed--indeed, +Cecilia, I am not covetous. I have not eaten one of them--they are all +for your friend Leonora. See how unjust you are." "Unjust! that's a cant +word you learned of my friend Leonora, as you call her, but she is not +my friend now." "Not your friend now!" exclaimed Louisa. "Then I am sure +you must have done something _very_ naughty." "How!" said Cecilia, +catching hold of her. "Let me go--Let me go!" cried Louisa, struggling. +"I won't give you one of my strawberries, for I don't like you at all." +"You don't, don't you?" said Cecilia, provoked; and catching the hat +from Louisa, she flung the strawberries over the hedge. "Will nobody +help me!" exclaimed Louisa, snatching her hat again, and running away +with all her force. + +"What have I done?" said Cecilia, recollecting herself. "Louisa! +Louisa!" She called very loud, but Louisa would not turn back! she was +running to her companions. + +They were still dancing, hand in hand, upon the grass, whilst Leonora, +sitting in the middle, sang to them. + +"Stop! stop! and hear me!" cried Louisa, breaking through them; and +rushing up to Leonora, she threw her hat at her feet, and panting for +breath---- + +"It was full--almost full of my own strawberries," said she, "the first +I ever got out of my own garden. They should all have been for you, +Leonora, but now I have not one left. They are all gone!" said she; and +she hid her face in Leonora's lap. + +"Gone! gone where?" said every one at once, running up to her. "Cecilia! +Cecilia!" said she, sobbing. "Cecilia!" repeated Leonora; "what of +Cecilia?" "Yes, it was--it was." + +"Come along with me," said Leonora, unwilling to have her friend +exposed; "come, and I will get you some more strawberries." "Oh, I don't +mind the strawberries, indeed; but I wanted to have had the pleasure of +giving them to you." + +Leonora took her up in her arms to carry her away, but it was too late. + +"What, Cecilia! Cecilia, who won the prize! It could not surely be +Cecilia," whispered every busy tongue. + +At this instant the bell summoned them in. + +"There she is!--There she is!" cried they, pointing to an arbour, where +Cecilia was standing, ashamed and alone; and as they passed her, some +lifted up their hands and eyes with astonishment, others whispered and +huddled mysteriously together, as if to avoid her. Leonora walked on, +her head a little higher than usual. + +"Leonora!" said Cecilia, timorously, as she passed. + +"Oh, Cecilia! who would have thought that you had a bad heart?" + +Cecilia turned her head aside and burst into tears. + +"Oh no, indeed, she has not a bad heart," cried Louisa, running up to +her, and throwing her arms round her neck; "she's very sorry!--are not +you, Cecilia? But don't cry any more, for I forgive you with all my +heart; and I love you now, though I said I did not when I was in a +passion." + +"O, you sweet-tempered girl! how I love you," said Cecilia, kissing her. + +"Well then, if you do, come along with me, and dry your eyes, for they +are so red." + +"Go, my dear, and I'll come presently." + +"Then I will keep a place for you next to me; but you must make haste, +or you will have to come in when we have all set down to supper, and +then you will be so stared at! So don't stay now." + +Cecilia followed Louisa with her eyes till she was out of sight. "And +is Louisa," said she to herself, "the only one who would stop to pity +me? Mrs. Villars told me that this day should be mine; she little +thought how it would end!" Saying these words, Cecilia threw herself +down upon the ground; her arm leaned upon a heap of turf which she had +raised in the morning, and which in the pride and gayety of her heart, +she had called her throne. + +At this instant, Mrs. Villars came out to enjoy the serenity of the +evening, and passing by the arbour where Cecilia lay, she started; +Cecilia rose hastily. + +"Who is there?" said Mrs. Villars. "It is I, madam." "And who is I?" +"Cecilia." "Why, what keeps you here, my dear--where are your +companions? this is, perhaps, one of the happiest days of your life." + +"O no, madam!" said Cecilia, hardly able to repress her tears. + +"Why, my dear, what is the matter?" + +Cecilia hesitated. + +"Speak, my dear. You know that when I ask you to tell me any thing as +your friend, I never punish you as your governess; therefore you need +not be afraid to tell me what is the matter." + +"No, madam, I am not afraid, but ashamed. You asked me why I was not +with my companions. Why, madam, because they have all left me, and----" +"And what, my dear?" "And I see that they all dislike me. And yet I +don't know why they should, for I take as much pains to please as any of +them. All my masters seem satisfied with me; and you yourself, ma'am, +were pleased this very morning to give me this bracelet; and I am sure +you would not have given it to any one who did not deserve it." +"Certainly not. You did deserve it for your application--for your +successful application. The prize was for the most assiduous, not for +the most amiable." "Then if it had been for the most amiable it would +not have been for me?" + +Mrs. Villars, smiling--"Why, what do you think yourself, Cecilia? You +are better able to judge than I am. I can determine whether or no you +apply to what I give you to learn; whether you attend to what I desire +you to do, and avoid what I desire you not to do. I know that I like you +as a pupil, but I cannot know that I should like you as a companion, +unless I were your companion; therefore I must judge of what I should do +by seeing what others do in the same circumstances." + +"O, pray don't, ma'am; for then you would not love me neither. And yet I +think you would love me; for I hope that I am as ready to oblige, and as +good-natured, as----" "Yes, Cecilia, I don't doubt but that you would be +very good-natured to me, but I am afraid that I should not like you +unless you were good-tempered too." "But, ma'am, by good-natured I mean +good-tempered--it's all the same thing." "No, indeed, I understand by +them two very different things. You are good-natured, Cecilia, for you +are desirous to oblige and serve your companions, to gain them praise +and save them from blame, to give them pleasure, and to relieve them +from pain; but Leonora is good-tempered, for she can bear with their +foibles, and acknowledge her own. Without disputing about the right, she +sometimes yields to those who are in the wrong. In short, her temper is +perfectly good, for it can bear and forbear." + +"I wish that mine could," said Cecilia, sighing. + +"It may," replied Mrs. Villars; "but it is not wishes alone which can +improve us in any thing. Turn the same exertion and perseverance which +have won you the prize to-day to this object, and you will meet with the +same success; perhaps not on the first, the second, or the third +attempt, but depend upon it that you will at last; every new effort will +weaken your bad habits and strengthen your good ones. But you must not +expect to succeed all at once; I repeat it to you, for habit must be +counteracted by habit. It would be as extravagant in us to expect that +all our faults could be destroyed by one punishment, were it ever so +severe, as it was in the Roman emperor we were reading of a few days ago +to wish that all the heads of his enemies were upon one neck, that he +might cut them off by one blow." + +Here Mrs. Villars took Cecilia by the hand, and they began to walk home. +Such was the nature of Cecilia's mind, that, when any object was +forcibly impressed on her imagination, it caused a temporary suspension +of her reasoning faculties. Hope was too strong a stimulus for her +spirits; and when fear did take possession of her mind, it was attended +with total debility. Her vanity was now as much mortified as in the +morning it had been elated. She walked on with Mrs. Villars in silence +until they came under the shade of the elm-tree walk, and then, fixing +her eyes upon Mrs. Villars, she stopped short. "Do you think, madam," +said she, with hesitation, "do you think, madam, that I have a bad +heart?" + +"A bad heart, my dear! why, what put that into your head?" + +"Leonora said that I had, ma'am, and I felt ashamed when she said so." + +"But, my dear, how can Leonora tell whether your heart be good or bad? +However, in the first place, tell me what you mean by a bad heart." + +"Indeed, I do not know what is meant by it, ma'am; but it is something +which every body hates." + +"And why do they hate it?" + +"Because they think that it will hurt them, ma'am, I believe; and that +those who have bad hearts take delight in doing mischief; and that they +never do any body good but for their own ends." + +"Then the best definition which you can give me of a bad heart is that +it is some constant propensity to hurt others, and to do wrong for the +sake of doing wrong." + +"Yes, ma'am, but that is not all neither; there is still something else +meant; something which I cannot express--which, indeed, I never +distinctly understood; but of which, therefore, I was the more afraid." + +"Well, then, to begin with what you do understand, tell me, Cecilia, do +you really think it possible to be wicked merely for the love of +wickedness? No human being becomes wicked all at once; a man begins by +doing wrong because it is, or because he thinks it is for his interest; +if he continue to do so, he must conquer his sense of shame, and lose +his love of virtue. But how can you, Cecilia, who feel such a strong +sense of shame, and such an eager desire to improve, imagine that you +have a bad heart?" + +"Indeed, madam, I never did, until every body told me so, and then I +began to be frightened about it. This very evening, ma'am, when I was +in a passion, I threw little Louisa's strawberries away; which, I am +sure, I was very sorry for afterwards; and Leonora and every body cried +out that I had a bad heart; but I am sure that I was only in a passion." + +"Very likely. And when you are in a passion, as you call it, Cecilia, +you see that you are tempted to do harm to others; if they do not feel +angry themselves, they do not sympathize with you; they do not perceive +the motive which actuates you, and then they say that you have a bad +heart. I dare say, however, when your passion is over, and when you +recollect yourself, you are very sorry for what you have done and said; +are not you?" + +"Yes, indeed, madam, very sorry." + +"Then make that sorrow of use to you, Cecilia, and fix it steadily in +your thoughts, as you hope to be good and happy, that, if you suffer +yourself to yield to your passion upon every trifling occasion, anger +and its consequences will become familiar to your mind; and in the same +proportion your sense of shame will be weakened, till what you began +with doing from sudden impulse you will end with doing from habit and +choice; and then you would, indeed, according to our definition, have a +bad heart." + +"Oh, madam! I hope--I am sure I never shall." + +"No, indeed, Cecilia; I do, indeed, believe that you never will; on the +contrary, I think that you have a very good disposition, and, what is of +infinitely more consequence to you, an active desire of improvement. +Show me that you have as much perseverance as you have candour, and I +shall not despair of your becoming every thing that I could wish." + +Here Cecilia's countenance brightened, and she ran up the steps in +almost as high spirits as she ran down them in the morning. + +"Good night to you, Cecilia," said Mrs. Villars, as she was crossing the +hall. "Good night to you, madam," said Cecilia; and she ran up stairs +to bed. + +She could not go to sleep, but she lay awake reflecting upon the events +of the preceding day, and forming resolutions for the future; at the +same time, considering that she had resolved, and resolved without +effect, she wished to give her mind some more powerful motive; ambition +she knew to be its most powerful incentive. + +"Have I not," said she to herself, "already won the prize of +application, and cannot the same application procure me a much higher +prize? Mrs. Villars said that if the prize had been promised to the most +amiable it would not have been given to me; perhaps it would not +yesterday--perhaps it might not to-morrow; but that is no reason that I +should despair of ever deserving it." + +In consequence of this reasoning, Cecilia formed a design of proposing +to her companions that they should give a prize, the first of the +ensuing month (the first of June), to the most amiable. Mrs. Villars +applauded the scheme, and her companions adopted it with the greatest +alacrity. + +"Let the prize," said they, "be a bracelet of our own hair;" and +instantly their shining scissors were procured, and each contributed a +lock of her hair. They formed the most beautiful gradation of colours, +from the palest auburn to the brightest black. Who was to have the +honour of plaiting them was now the question. + +Caroline begged that she might, as she could plait very neatly, she +said. + +Cecilia, however, was equally sure that she could do it much better, and +a dispute would inevitably have ensued, if Cecilia, recollecting herself +just as her colour rose to scarlet, had not yielded--yielded with no +very good grace indeed, but as well as could be expected for the first +time. For it is habit which confers ease; and without ease, even in +moral actions, there can be no grace. + +The bracelet was plaited in the neatest manner by Caroline, finished +round the edge with silver twist, and on it was worked, in the smallest +silver letters, this motto, TO THE MOST AMIABLE. The moment it was +completed, every body begged to try it on. It fastened with little +silver clasps, and as it was made large enough for the eldest girls, it +was too large for the youngest; of this they bitterly complained, and +unanimously entreated that it might be cut to fit them. + +"How foolish!" exclaimed Cecilia. "Don't you perceive that, if you win +it, you have nothing to do but to put the clasps a little further from +the edge? but if we get it, we can't make it larger." + +"Very true," said they, "but you need not to have called us foolish, +Cecilia!" + +It was by such hasty and unguarded expressions as these that Cecilia +offended; a slight difference in the manner makes a very material one in +the effect. Cecilia lost more love by general petulance than she could +gain by the greatest particular exertions. + +How far she succeeded in curing herself of this defect, how far she +became deserving of the bracelet, and to whom the bracelet was given, +shall be told in the history of the first of June. + + + + +CONTINUATION OF THE BRACELETS. + + +The first of June was now arrived, and all the young competitors were in +a state of the most anxious suspense. Leonora and Cecilia continued to +be the foremost candidates; their quarrel had never been finally +adjusted, and their different pretensions now retarded all thoughts of a +reconciliation. Cecilia, though she was capable of acknowledging any of +her faults in public before all her companions, could not humble herself +in private to Leonora; Leonora was her equal, they were her inferiors; +and submission is much easier to a vain mind, where it appears to be +voluntary, than when it is the necessary tribute to justice or candour. +So strongly did Cecilia feel this truth that she even delayed making any +apology, or coming to any explanation with Leonora, until success should +once more give her the palm. + +If I win the bracelet to-day, said she to herself, I will solicit the +return of Leonora's friendship; it will be more valuable to me than even +the bracelet; and at such a time, and asked in such a manner, she surely +cannot refuse it to me. Animated with this hope of a double triumph, +Cecilia canvassed with the most zealous activity; by constant attention +and exertion she had considerably abated the violence of her temper, and +changed the course of her habits. Her powers of pleasing were now +excited, instead of her abilities to excel; and, if her talents appeared +less brilliant, her character was acknowledged to be more amiable; so +great an influence upon our manners and conduct have the objects of our +ambition. Cecilia was now, if possible, more than ever desirous of +doing what was right, but she had not yet acquired sufficient fear of +doing wrong. This was the fundamental error of her mind; it arose in a +great measure from her early education. + +Her mother died when she was very young; and though her father had +supplied her place in the best and kindest manner, he had insensibly +infused into his daughter's mind a portion of that enterprising, +independent spirit, which he justly deemed essential to the character of +her brother. This brother was some years older than Cecilia, but he had +always been the favourite companion of her youth; what her father's +precepts inculcated, his example enforced, and even Cecilia's virtues +consequently became such as were more estimable in a man than desirable +in a female. + +All small objects and small errors she had been taught to disregard as +trifles; and her impatient disposition was perpetually leading her into +more material faults; yet her candour in confessing these, she had been +suffered to believe, was sufficient reparation and atonement. + +Leonora, on the contrary, who had been educated by her mother in a +manner more suited to her sex, had a character and virtues more peculiar +to a female; her judgment had been early cultivated, and her good sense +employed in the regulation of her conduct; she had been habituated to +that restraint, which, as a woman, she was to expect in life, and early +accustomed to yield; compliance in her seemed natural and graceful. + +Yet, notwithstanding the gentleness of her temper, she was in reality +more independent than Cecilia; she had more reliance upon her own +judgment, and more satisfaction in her own approbation. Though far from +insensible to praise, she was not liable to be misled by the +indiscriminate love of admiration; the uniform kindness of her manner, +the consistency and equality of her character, had fixed the esteem and +passive love of her companions. + +By passive love, we mean that species of affection which makes us +unwilling to offend, rather than anxious to oblige; which is more a +habit than an emotion of the mind. For Cecilia, her companions felt +active love, for she was active in showing her love to them. + +Active love arises spontaneously in the mind, after feeling particular +instances of kindness, without reflection on the past conduct or general +character; it exceeds the merits of its object, and is connected with a +feeling of generosity, rather than with a sense of justice. + +Without determining which species of love is the more flattering to +others, we can easily decide which is the most agreeable feeling to our +own minds; we give our hearts more credit for being generous than for +being just; and we feel more self-complacency when we give our love +voluntarily, than when we yield it as a tribute which we cannot +withhold. Though Cecilia's companions might not know all this in theory, +they proved it in practice; for they loved her in a much higher +proportion to her merits than they loved Leonora. + +Each of the young judges were to signify their choice by putting a red +or a white shell into a vase prepared for the purpose. Cecilia's colour +was red, Leonora's white. In the morning nothing was to be seen but +these shells, nothing talked of but the long-expected event of the +evening. Cecilia, following Leonora's example, had made it a point of +honour not to inquire of any individual her vote previous to their final +determination. + +They were both sitting together in Louisa's room; Louisa was recovering +from the measles. Every one, during her illness, had been desirous of +attending her; but Leonora and Cecilia were the only two that were +permitted to see her, as they alone had had the distemper. They were +both assiduous in their care of Louisa; but Leonora's want of exertion +to overcome any disagreeable feelings of sensibility often deprived her +of presence of mind, and prevented her being so constantly useful as +Cecilia. Cecilia, on the contrary, often made too much noise and bustle +with her officious assistance, and was too anxious to invent amusements +and procure comforts for Louisa, without perceiving that illness takes +away the power of enjoying them. + +As she was sitting in the window in the morning, exerting herself to +entertain Louisa, she heard the voice of an old pedlar who often used to +come to the house. Down stairs she ran immediately to ask Mrs. Villars's +permission to bring him into the hall. + +Mrs. Villars consented, and away Cecilia ran to proclaim the news to her +companions; then first returning into the hall, she found the pedlar +just unbuckling his box, and taking it off his shoulders. "What would +you be pleased to want, Miss?" said he. "I've all kinds of +tweezer-cases, rings, and lockets of all sorts," continued he, opening +all the glittering drawers successively. + +"Oh!" said Cecilia, shutting the drawer of lockets which tempted her +most, "these are not the things which I want; have you any china +figures, any mandarins?" + +"Alack-a-day, Miss, I had a great stock of that same china ware, but now +I'm quite out of them kind of things; but I believe," said he, rummaging +in one of the deepest drawers, "I believe I have one left, and here it +is." + +"Oh, that is the very thing! what's its price?" + +"Only three shillings, ma'am." Cecilia paid the money, and was just +going to carry off the mandarin, when the pedlar took out of his +great-coat pocket a neat mahogany case; it was about a foot long, and +fastened at each end by two little clasps; it had besides a small lock +in the middle. + +"What is that?" said Cecilia, eagerly. + +"It's only a china figure, Miss, which I am going to carry to an +elderly lady, who lives nigh at hand, and who is mighty fond of such +things." + +"Could you let me look at it?" + +"And welcome, Miss," said he, and opened the case. + +"O goodness! how beautiful!" exclaimed Cecilia. + +It was a figure of Flora, crowned with roses, and carrying a basket of +flowers in her hand. Cecilia contemplated it with delight. "How I should +like to give this to Louisa," said she to herself; and at last breaking +silence, "Did you promise it to the old lady?" + +"O no, Miss; I didn't promise it--she never saw it; and if so be that +you'd like to take it, I'd make no more words about it." + +"And how much does it cost?" + +"Why, Miss, as to that, I'll let you have it for half-a-guinea." + +[Illustration] + +Cecilia immediately produced the box in which she kept her treasure, and +emptying it upon the table, she began to count the shillings; alas! +there were but six shillings. "How provoking!" said she; "then I can't +have it--where's the mandarin? O I have it," said she, taking it up, and +looking at it with the utmost disgust. "Is this the same that I had +before?" + +"Yes, Miss, the very same," replied the pedlar, who, during this time, +had been examining the little box out of which Cecilia had taken her +money; it was of silver. + +"Why, ma'am," said he, "since you've taken such a fancy to the piece, if +you've a mind to make up the remainder of the money, I will take this +here little box, if you care to part with it." + +Now this box was a keepsake from Leonora to Cecilia. "No," said Cecilia +hastily, blushing a little, and stretching out her hand to receive it. + +"Oh, Miss!" said he, returning it carelessly, "I hope there's no +offence; I meant but to serve you, that's all. Such a rare piece of +china-work has no cause to go a begging," added he, putting the Flora +deliberately into the case; then turning the key with a jerk, he let it +drop into his pocket, and lifting up his box by the leather straps, he +was preparing to depart. + +"Oh, stay one minute!" said Cecilia, in whose mind there had passed a +very warm conflict during the pedlar's harangue. "Louisa would so like +this Flora," said she, arguing with herself; "besides, it would be so +generous in me to give it to her instead of that ugly mandarin; that +would be doing only common justice, for I promised it to her, and she +expects it. Though, when I come to look at this mandarin, it is not even +so good as hers was; the gilding is all rubbed off, so that I absolutely +must buy this for her. O yes, I will, and she will be so delighted! and +then every body will say it is the prettiest thing they ever saw, and +the broken mandarin will be forgotten forever." + +Here Cecilia's hand moved, and she was just going to decide: "O! but +stop," said she to herself; "consider Leonora gave me this box, and it +is a keepsake; however, now we have quarreled, and I dare say that she +would not mind my parting with it; I'm sure that I should not care if +she was to give away my keepsake the smelling bottle, or the ring which +I gave her; so what does it signify; besides, is it not my own, and have +I not a right to do what I please with it?" + +At this dangerous instant for Cecilia, a party of her companions opened +the door; she knew that they came as purchasers, and she dreaded her +Flora's becoming the prize of some higher bidder. "Here," said she, +hastily putting the box into the pedlar's hand, without looking at it; +"take it, and give me the Flora." Her hand trembled, though she snatched +it impatiently; she ran by, without seeming to mind any of her +companions--she almost wished to turn back. + +Let those who are tempted to do wrong by the hopes of future +gratification, or the prospect of certain concealment and impunity, +remember that, unless they are totally depraved, they bear in their own +hearts a monitor who will prevent their enjoying what they have ill +obtained. + +In vain Cecilia ran to the rest of her companions, to display her +present, in hopes that the applause of others would restore her own +self-complacency; in vain she saw the Flora pass in due pomp from hand +to hand, each viewing with the other in extolling the beauty of the gift +and the generosity of the giver. Cecilia was still displeased with +herself, with them, and even with their praise; from Louisa's gratitude, +however, she yet expected much pleasure, and immediately she ran up +stairs to her room. + +In the mean time Leonora had gone into the hall to buy a bodkin; she had +just broken hers. In giving her change, the pedlar took out of his +pocket, with some half-pence, the very box which Cecilia had sold him. +Leonora did not in the least suspect the truth, for her mind was above +suspicion; and besides, she had the utmost confidence in Cecilia. "I +should like to have that box," said she, "for it is like one of which I +was very fond." + +The pedlar named the price, and Leonora took the box; she intended to +give it to little Louisa. + +On going to her room she found her asleep, and she sat down softly by +her bed-side. Louisa opened her eyes. + +"I hope I didn't disturb you," said Leonora. + +"O no; I didn't hear you come in; but what have you got there?" + +"It is only a little box; would you like to have it? I bought it on +purpose for you, as I thought perhaps it would please you; because it's +like that which I gave Cecilia." + +"O yes! that out of which she used to give me Barbary drops. I am very +much obliged to you. I always thought _that_ exceedingly pretty; and +this, indeed, is as like it as possible. I can't unscrew it; will you +try?" + +Leonora unscrewed it. + +"Goodness!" exclaimed Louisa, "this must be Cecilia's box; look, don't +you see a great L at the bottom of it?" + +Leonora's colour changed. "Yes," she replied calmly, "I see that, but it +is no proof that it is Cecilia's; you know that I bought this box just +now of the pedlar." + +"That may be," said Louisa; "but I remember scratching that L with my +own needle, and Cecilia scolded me for it, too. Do go and ask her if she +has lost her box--do," repeated Louisa, pulling her by the sleeve, as +she did not seem to listen. + +Leonora indeed did not hear, for she was lost in thought; she was +comparing circumstances, which had before escaped her attention. She +recollected that Cecilia had passed her as she came into the hall, +without seeming to see her, but had blushed as she passed. She +remembered that the pedlar appeared unwilling to part with the box, and +was going to put it again into his pocket with the half-pence; "and why +should he keep it in his pocket and not show it with his other things?" +Combining all these circumstances, Leonora had no longer any doubt of +the truth; for though she had honourable confidence in her friends, she +had too much penetration to be implicitly credulous. "Louisa," she +began, but at this instant she heard a step, which, by its quickness, +she knew to be Cecilia's, coming along the passage. "If you love me, +Louisa," said Leonora, "say nothing about the box." + +"Nay, but why not? I dare say she has lost it." + +"No, my dear, I am afraid she has not." Louisa looked surprised. + +"But I have reasons for desiring you not to say any thing about it." + +"Well, then, I won't, indeed." + +Cecilia opened the door, came forward smiling, as if secure of a good +reception, and, taking the Flora out of the case, she placed it on the +mantel-piece, opposite to Louisa's bed. "Dear, how beautiful," cried +Louisa, starting up. + +"Yes," said Cecilia, "and guess who it's for?" + +"For me, perhaps!" said the ingenuous Louisa. + +"Yes, take it, and keep it for my sake; you know that I broke your +mandarin." + +"O! but this is a great deal prettier and larger than that." + +"Yes, I know it is; and I meant that it should be so. I should only have +done what I was bound to do if I had only given you a mandarin." + +"Well, and that would have been enough, surely; but what a beautiful +crown of roses! and then that basket of flowers! they almost look as if +I could smell them. Dear Cecilia! I'm very much obliged to you, but I +won't take it by way of payment for the mandarin you broke; for I'm sure +you could not help that; and, besides, I should have broken it myself by +this time. You shall give it to me entirely, and I'll keep it as long as +I live as your keepsake." + +Louisa stopped short and coloured. The word keepsake recalled the box +to her mind, and all the train of ideas which the Flora had banished. +"But," said she, looking up wishfully in Cecilia's face, and holding the +Flora doubtfully, "did you----" + +Leonora, who was just quitting the room, turned her head back, and gave +Louisa a look, which silenced her. + +Cecilia was so infatuated with her vanity, that she neither perceived +Leonora's sign, nor Louisa's confusion, but continued showing off her +present, by placing it in various situations, till at length she put it +into the case, and laying it down with an affected carelessness upon the +bed, "I must go now, Louisa. Good bye," said she, running up and kissing +her; "but I'll come again presently;" then clapping the door after her, +she went. + +But as soon as the fermentation of her spirits subsided, the sense of +shame, which had been scarcely felt when mixed with so many other +sensations, rose uppermost in her mind. "What?" said she to herself, +"is it possible that I have sold what I promised to keep for ever? and +what Leonora gave me? and I have concealed it too, and have been making +a parade of my generosity. O! what would Leonora, what would Louisa, +what would every body think of me, if the truth were known?" + +Humiliated and grieved by these reflections, Cecilia began to search in +her own mind for some consoling idea. She began to compare her conduct +with the conduct of others of her own age; and at length, fixing her +comparison upon her brother George, as the companion of whom, from her +infancy, she had been habitually the most emulous, she recollected that +an almost similar circumstance had once happened to him, and that he had +not only escaped disgrace, but had acquired glory by an intrepid +confession of his fault. Her father's words to her brother, on that +occasion, she also perfectly recollected. + +"Come to me, George," he said, holding out his hand; "you are a +generous, brave boy. They who dare to confess their faults will make +great and good men." + +These were his words; but Cecilia, in repeating them to herself, forgot +to lay that emphasis on the word _men_, which would have placed it in +contradistinction to the word women. She willingly believed that the +observation extended equally to both sexes, and flattered herself that +she should exceed her brother in merit, if she owned a fault which she +thought that it would be so much more difficult to confess. "Yes, but," +said she, stopping herself, "how can I confess it? This very evening, in +a few hours, the prize will be decided; Leonora or I shall win it. I +have now as good a chance as Leonora, perhaps a better; and must I give +up all my hopes? all that I have been labouring for this month past! O, +I never can;--if it were to-morrow, or yesterday, or any day but this, I +would not hesitate, but now I am almost certain of the prize, and if I +win it--well, why then I will--I think, I will tell all--yes, I will; I +am determined," said Cecilia. + +Here a bell summoned them to dinner. Leonora sat opposite to her, and +she was not a little surprised to see Cecilia look so gay and +unrestrained. "Surely," said she to herself, "if Cecilia had done this, +that I suspect, she would not, she could not look as she does." But +Leonora little knew the cause of her gayety; Cecilia was never in higher +spirits, or better pleased with herself, than when she had resolved upon +a sacrifice or a confession. + +"Must not this evening be given to the most amiable? Whose, then, will +it be?" All eyes glanced first at Cecilia and then at Leonora. Cecilia +smiled; Leonora blushed. "I see that it is not yet decided," said Mrs. +Villars; and immediately they ran up stairs, amidst confused +whisperings. + +Cecilia's voice could be distinguished far above the rest. "How can she +be so happy?" said Leonora to herself. "O, Cecilia, there was a time +when you could not have neglected me so!--when we were always together, +the best of friends and companions, our wishes, tastes, and pleasures +the same. Surely she did once love me," said Leonora; "but now she is +quite changed. She has even sold my keepsake, and would rather win a +bracelet of hair from girls whom she did not always think so much +superior to Leonora, than have my esteem, my confidence, and my +friendship, for her whole life; yes, for her whole life, for I am sure +she will be an amiable woman. Oh that this bracelet had never been +thought of, or that I was certain of her winning it; for I am certain +that I do not wish to win it from her. I would rather, a thousand times +rather, that we were as we used to be, than have all the glory in the +world. And how pleasing Cecilia can be when she wishes to please! how +candid she is! how much she can improve herself!--let me be just, +though she has offended me--she is wonderfully improved within this last +month; for one fault, and _that_ against myself, should I forget all her +merits?" + +As Leonora said these last words, she could but just hear the voices of +her companions; they had left her alone in the gallery. She knocked +softly at Louisa's door----"Come in," said Louisa. "I in not asleep. Oh," +said she, starting up with the Flora in her hand, the instant that the +door was opened. "I'm so glad you are come, Leonora, for I did so long +to hear what you were all making such a noise about--have you forgot +that the bracelet----" + +"O yes! is this the evening?" + +"Well, here's my white shell for you. I've kept it in my pocket this +fortnight; and though Cecilia did give me this Flora, I still love you a +great deal better." + +"I thank you, Louisa," said Leonora, gratefully. "I will take your +shell, and I shall value it as long as I live. But here is a red one, +and if you wish to show me that you love me, you will give this to +Cecilia. I know that she is particularly anxious for your preference, +and I am sure that she deserves it." + +"Yes, if I could I would choose both of you; but you know I can only +choose which I like the best." + +"If you mean, my dear Louisa," said Leonora, "that you like me the best, +I am very much obliged to you; for, indeed I wish you to love me; but it +is enough for me to know it in private. I should not feel the least more +pleasure at hearing it in public, or in having it made known to all my +companions, especially at a time when it would give poor Cecilia a great +deal of pain." + +"But why should it give her pain? I don't like her for being jealous of +you." + +"Nay, Louisa, surely you don't think Cecilia jealous; she only tries to +excel and to please. She is more anxious to succeed than I am, it is +true, because she has a great deal more activity, and perhaps more +ambition; and it would really mortify her to lose this prize. You know +that she proposed it herself; it has been her object for this month +past, and I am sure she has taken great pains to obtain it." + +"But, dear Leonora, why should you lose it?" + +"Indeed, my dear, it would be no loss to me; and, if it were, I would +willingly suffer it for Cecilia; for, though we seem not to be such good +friends as we used to be, I love her very much, and she will love me +again, I'm sure she will; when she no longer fears me as a rival, she +will again love me as a friend." + +Here Leonora heard a number of her companions running along the gallery. +They all knocked hastily at the door, calling, "Leonora! Leonora! will +you never come? Cecilia has been with us this half hour." + +Leonora smiled. "Well, Louisa," said she, smiling, "will you promise +me?" + +"O, I'm sure, by the way they speak to you, that they won't give you +the prize!" said the little Louisa; and the tears started into her eyes. + +"They love me though, for all that; and as for the prize, you know whom +I wish to have it." + +"Leonora! Leonora!" called her impatient companions; "don't you hear us? +What are you about?" + +"O, she never will take any trouble about any thing," said one of the +party; "let's go away." + +"O go! go! make haste," cried Louisa; "don't stay, they are so angry--I +will, I will, indeed!" + +"Remember, then, that you have promised me," said Leonora, and she left +the room. During all this time Cecilia had been in the garden with her +companions. The ambition which she had felt to win the first prize, the +prize of superior talents and superior application, was not to be +compared to the absolute anxiety which she now expressed to win this +simple testimony of the love and approbation of her equals and rivals. + +To employ her exuberant activity, she had been dragging branches of +lilacs, and laburnums, roses, and sweet-briar, to ornament the bower in +which her fate was to be decided. It was excessively hot, but her mind +was engaged, and she was indefatigable. She stood still, at last, to +admire her works; her companions all joined in loud applause. They were +not a little prejudiced in her favour by the great eagerness which she +expressed to win their prize, and by the great importance which she +seemed to affix to the preference of each individual. At last, "Where is +Leonora?" cried one of them, and immediately, as we have seen, they ran +to call her. + +Cecilia was left alone. Overcome with heat and too violent exertion, she +had hardly strength to support herself; each moment appeared to her +intolerably long; she was in a state of the utmost suspense, and all her +courage failed her; even hope forsook her, and hope is a cordial which +leaves the mind depressed and enfeebled. "The time is now come," said +Cecilia; "in a few moments it will be decided. In a few moments! +goodness! how much I do hazard! If I should not win the prize, how shall +I confess what I have done? How shall I beg Leonora to forgive me? I, +who hoped to restore my friendship to her as an honour!--they are gone +to seek for her--the moment she appears I shall be forgotten--what +shall--what shall I do?" said Cecilia, covering her face with her hands. + +Such was her situation, when Leonora, accompanied by her companions, +opened the hall-door; they most of them ran forward to Cecilia. As +Leonora came into the bower, she held out her hand to Cecilia----"We +are not rivals, but friends, I hope," said she. Cecilia clasped her +hand, but she was in too great agitation to speak. + +The table was now set in the arbour--the vase was now placed in the +middle. "Well!" said Cecilia, eagerly, "who begins?" Caroline, one of +her friends, came forward first, and then all the others successively. +Cecilia's emotion was hardly conceivable.----"Now they are all in. +Count them, Caroline!" + +"One, two, three, four; the numbers are both equal." There was a dead +silence. + +"No, they are not," exclaimed Cecilia, pressing forward and putting +a shell into the vase----"I have not given mine, and I give it to +Leonora." Then snatching the bracelet, "It is yours, Leonora," said she; +"take it, and give me back your friendship." The whole assembly gave a +universal clap and shout of applause. + +"I cannot be surprised at this from you, Cecilia," said Leonora; "and do +you then still love me as you used to do?" + +"O Leonora! stop! don't praise me; I don't deserve this," said she, +turning to her loudly applauding companions; "you will soon despise +me--O Leonora, you will never forgive me!--I have deceived you--I have +sold----" + +At this instant Mrs. Villars appeared--the crowd divided--she had heard +all that passed from her window. + +"I applaud your generosity, Cecilia," said she, "but I am to tell you +that in this instance it is unsuccessful; you have it not in your power +to give the prize to Leonora--it is yours--I have another vote to give +you--you have forgotten Louisa." + +"Louisa! but surely, ma'am, Louisa loves Leonora better than she does +me!" + +"She commissioned me, however," said Mrs. Villars, "to give you a red +shell, and you will find it in this box." + +Cecilia started, and turned as pale as death--it was the fatal box. + +Mrs. Villars produced another box--she opened it--it contained the +Flora--"And Louisa also desired me," said she, "to return you this +Flora"--she put it into Cecilia's hand--Cecilia trembled so that she +could not hold it; Leonora caught it. + +"O, madam! O, Leonora!" exclaimed Cecilia; "now I have no hope left. I +intended, I was just going to tell----" + +"Dear Cecilia," said Leonora, "you need not tell it me; I know it +already, and I forgive you with all my heart." + +"Yes, I can prove to you," said Mrs. Villars, "that Leonora has forgiven +you: it is she who has given you the prize; it was she who persuaded +Louisa to give you her vote. I went to see her a little while ago, and +perceiving, by her countenance, that something was the matter, I pressed +her to tell me what it was. + +"'Why, madam,' said she, 'Leonora has made me promise to give my shell +to Cecilia. Now I don't love Cecilia half so well as I do Leonora; +besides, I would not have Cecilia think I vote for her because she gave +me a Flora.' Whilst Louisa was speaking," continued Mrs. Villars, "I saw +the silver box lying on the bed; I took it up, and asked if it was not +yours, and how she came by it. + +"'Indeed, madam,' said Louisa, 'I could have been almost certain that +it was Cecilia's; but Leonora gave it me, and she said that she bought +it of the pedlar this morning. If any body else had told me so, I could +not have believed them, because I remembered the box so well; but I +can't help believing Leonora.' + +"'But did you not ask Cecilia about it?' said I. + +"'No, madam,' replied Louisa, 'for Leonora forbade me.' + +"I guessed her reason. 'Well,' said I, 'give me the box, and I will +carry your shell in it to Cecilia.' + +"'Then, madam,' said she, 'if I must give it her, pray do take the +Flora, and return it to her first, that she may not think it is for that +I do it.'" + +"O, generous Leonora!" exclaimed Cecilia; "but indeed, Louisa, I cannot +take your shell." + +"Then, dear Cecilia, accept of mine instead of it; you cannot refuse +it--I only follow your example. As for the bracelet," added Leonora, +taking Cecilia's hand, "I assure you I don't wish for it, and you do, +and you deserve it." + +"No," said Cecilia, "indeed I do not deserve it; next to you, surely, +Louisa deserves it best." + +"Louisa! O yes, Louisa," exclaimed every body with one voice. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Villars, "and let Cecilia carry the bracelet to her; +she deserves that reward. For one fault I cannot forget all your merits, +Cecilia; nor, I am sure, will your companions." + +"Then, surely, not your best friend," said Leonora, kissing her. + +Every body present was moved--they looked up to Leonora with respectful +and affectionate admiration. + +"O, Leonora, how I love you! and how I wish to be like you!" exclaimed +Cecilia; "to be as good, as generous!" + +"Rather wish, Cecilia," interrupted Mrs. Villars, "to be as just; to be +as strictly honourable, and as invariably consistent. + +"Remember that many of our sex are capable of great efforts, of making +what they call great sacrifices to virtue or to friendship; but few +treat their friends with habitual gentleness, or uniformly conduct +themselves with prudence and good sense." + + +THE END. + + + + +A +CATALOGUE +OF +ILLUSTRATED AND ENTERTAINING +JUVENILE WORKS. + +[Illustration] + +LITTLE ANNIE'S FIRST BOOK, +CHIEFLY IN WORDS OF THREE LETTERS. + +By Her Mother. + +Illustrated with Seventy Designs. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + +This little volume will commend itself to parents, as a book for +children who have just mastered the alphabet. + + * * * * * + +THE +TRAVELS +AND +EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES +OF +BOB THE SQUIRREL. + +Illustrated with Twelve Engravings +by Distinguished Artists. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + +Bob's adventures are full of interest, and no child can fail to be +amused and permanently benefited by the perusal of them. The book is +designed for a child from six to ten years of age. + + * * * * * + +CLARA'S AMUSEMENTS. + +"Oh, happy childhood! whose sweet fruits of pleasure Are plucked in the +safe garden of thy home."--M.S. + +By Mrs. Anna Bache. + +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated with Original Designs. + +Price 50 cents. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +THE BLOSSOMS OF MORALITY; +INTENDED FOR THE AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE. + +Illustrated with Twenty-three Designs by Darley. + +One Volume 15mo. Price 38 cts. + + * * * * * + +HOLIDAY HOUSE: +A SERIES OF TALES + +By Miss Sinclair. + +From the third London Edition. + +Prettily illustrated by Croome. + +One Volume 16mo. Price 75 cents. + +"We find in this volume, as in all of Miss Sinclair's other productions, +the same lively intellect, the same buoyant good humour, the same easy +and vigorous style, the same happy talent for observation and +description, the same warfare against the fashionable follies of the +day, and the same assiduity in inculcating the lessons of morality and +religion."--_Edinburgh Advertiser_. + + * * * * * + +THE +LIFE AND WANDERINGS +OF +A MOUSE + +Illustrated with Ten Designs by Croome. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + +"An instructive and amusing volume, that will be read by every child +with pleasure." + + * * * * * + +THE CHILD'S OWN STORY BOOK; +OR, TALES AND DIALOGUES FOR THE NURSERY. + +BY Mrs. Jerram. + +Illustrated with Numerous Engravings. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +THE CHILD'S DELIGHT; +A GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS. + +Edited by a lady. + +Prettily Illustrated with Coloured Steel Engravings, +Designed by Croome. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + + * * * * * + +MARIA EDGEWORTH'S +CHEAP JUVENILE WORKS. + + * * * * * + +WASTE NOT, WANT NOT; +OR, +TWO STRINGS TO YOUR BOW. + +By Maria Edgeworth. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +LAZY LAWRENCE; +OR, +INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS CONTRASTED. + +By Maria Edgeworth. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +THE BRACELETS; +OR, +AMIABILITY AND INDUSTRY REWARDED. + +By Maria Edgeworth. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +THE FIRESIDE STORY BOOK; +CONTAINING +"LAZY LAWRENCE" "WASTE NOT, WANT NOT," AND "THE BRACELETS." + +Elegantly Illustrated. + +One Volume 16mo. Price 50 cents. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +MAMMA'S BIBLE STORIES +FOR HER +LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS. + +A SERIES OF READING LESSONS TAKEN FROM THE BIBLE, AND +ADAPTED TO THE CAPACITIES OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN. + +Illustrated with Numerous Engravings. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents + + * * * * * + +GRANDMAMMA EASY'S +BEAUTIFUL TOY BOOKS, +FOR ALL GOOD CHILDREN. + +Very large size, printed on very large type, and elegantly +coloured, with gilt edges. + +Put up in wrappers, each containing one dozen. + +Price $1.50 per Dozen. + +CONTENTS. + +New Story about Little Tom Thumb and his Mother. +New Little Stories about the Alphabet. +Merry Multiplication. +New Story about Old Daddy Longlegs. +New Story about Little Jack Horner, and of what his Pie was made. +Michaelmas Day, or the Fate of poor Molly Goosey. +Alderman's Feast: A new Alphabet. +New Story about the Queen of Hearts, and the Stolen Tarts. +New Pictorial Bible Alphabet. +Toy Shop Drolleries, or Wonders of a Toy Shop. +Travels of Matty Macaroni, the Little Organ Boy. +New Story of Joseph and his Brethren. + + * * * * * + +VERY LITTLE TALES FOR VERY LITTLE CHILDREN. + +In single syllables of three and four letters. Large and bold type. + +With Numerous Illustrations. + +Two Volumes 32mo. Price 75 cents. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +LITTLE LESSONS FOR LITTLE LEARNERS. + +In words of one syllable. + +By Mrs. Barwell, +Author of "Mamma's Bible Stories." + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + + * * * * * + +POPULAR TALES. + +By Maria Edgeworth. + +With Original Designs by Croome. + +CONTENTS. + +MURAD THE UNLUCKY. +THE MANUFACTURERS. +THE CONTRAST. +THE GRATEFUL NEGRO. +TO-MORROW. + +One Volume 16mo. Price 75 cents. + +"The writings of Maria Edgeworth have rarely been approached, and none +have excelled her. Her stories are so natural, and are told with such +truthfulness, that the reader becomes completely captivated." + + * * * * * + +MORAL TALES. + +By Maria Edgeworth. + +Embellished with Original Designs by Darley. + +Price 75 cents. + +"If we wished to do a young person good while offering amusement, to +improve the heart while engaging the attention, and to give him or her +little books which convey no false or distorted notions of life--Maria +Edgeworth is our author."--_Post_. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +DIVINE AND MORAL SONGS, +FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN + +By Isaac Watts, D.D. + +Illustrated with 24 Engravings in the Highest Style of Art. + +One elegant Volume, 16mo. Price 75 cts. + +"This will be a constant furniture for the minds of children, that they +may have something to think of when alone, and sing over to themselves. +This may sometimes give their thoughts a divine turn, and raise a young +meditation. Thus they will not be forced to seek relief for an emptiness +of mind out of the loose and dangerous sonnets of the age."--_Extract +from Author's Preface_. + + * * * * * + +MRS. SHERWOOD'S +PRETTILY ILUSTRATED JUVENILES. + + * * * * * + +DUTY IS SAFETY; +OR, +TROUBLESOME TOM. + +By Mrs. Sherwood. + +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. + +By Mrs. Sherwood. + +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +JACK, THE SAILOR BOY. + +By Mrs. Sherwood. + +One Volume square 16mo. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. + + * * * * * + +CLEVER STORIES FOR CLEVER BOYS AND GIRLS. + +Containing + +"Think before you Act," "Jack, the Sailor Boy," "Duty is Safety." + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. + + * * * * * + +THE PRIZE STORY BOOK; +CONSISTING CHIEFLY OF +TALES TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN, FRENCH, AND ITALIAN, +TOGETHER WITH +SELECT TALES FROM THE ENGLISH. + +Illustrated with Numerous Designs. + +One Volume square 16mo. Half cloth 50 cts.; cloth extra 63 cts. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +GEORGE'S JOURNEY +TO THE +LAND OF HAPPINESS. + +By a Lady. + +Illustrated with Sixteen Coloured Engravings. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + + * * * * * + +THE BOOK OF ANIMALS; +INTENDED FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT AND INSTRUCTION +OF +YOUNG PEOPLE. + +By R. Bilby. + +Illustrated with Twelve Designs of Animals. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cents. + +This volume is intended both as a useful and entertaining book for the +young, abounding with Anecdotes of the Quadrupeds, and illustrated with +numerous well executed designs. + + * * * * * + +THE HAPPY CHILDREN; +A TALE OF HOME +FOR +YOUNG PEOPLE. + +Illustrated with Elegant Engravings. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. + +A very interesting volume for children from six to twelve years of age. + + * * * * * + +RHYMES FOR THE NURSERY. + +By the Author of "Original Poems." + +Illustrated with Sixteen Designs. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price 50 cts. plain; 63 cts. coloured. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +HOLIDAY TALES. +CONTAINING PLEASING STORIES FOR THE YOUNG. + +Prettily Illustrated. + +One Volume square 16mo. Price in half cloth, 25 cents; cloth gilt, +38 cents. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +UNCLE JOHN'S +FANCY PICTURE BOOKS. + +In a new and unique style, +put up in dozens assorted. Six kinds. + +CONTENTS. + +UNCLE JOHN'S PICTURE BIBLE ALPHABET. +UNCLE JOHN'S STORY OF BOB. +UNCLE JOHN'S STORY OF DOWNEY THE MOUSE. +UNCLE JOHN'S STORIES OF ANIMALS. +UNCLE JOHN'S BIBLE STORIES. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bracelets, by Maria Edgeworth + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRACELETS *** + +***** This file should be named 11121.txt or 11121.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/1/2/11121/ + +Produced by Internet Archive; University of Florida, Children, Andrea +Ball and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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