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Of his daughter he said nothing Aunt Lizzy, as she was called, was an aood woman, but not sufficiently intellectual to superintend Florry's education That little individual looked at first with distrustful eyes on one who, she supposed, es; but the affectionate manner of the kind-hearted aunt removed all fear, and she soon spoke and moved with the freedom which had characterized her solitude

One day, when Florence was about nine years old, her father entered the library, where she sat intently reading, and said, "Florence, co to tell me! I hope it is pleasant;" and she laid her hand on his knee, and looked inquiringly in his face

"You reo? Well, she has lost herto live with us" As he spoke, his voice faltered, and his proud curling lip quivered, yet he gave no other evidence of the deepest grief he had known for , and I hope you will try tothe room, but Florence said, "Father, is she to stay with us always, and will she sleep inas she likes, and, if you prefer it, can occupy the sa found her on the steps, looking earnestly down the avenue for the approach of the little stranger

At length a heavy carriage drove to the door, and Florry leaned forward to catch a gliht for, was placed on the piazza by the coachman

Mr Hamilton shook her hand kindly, and, after a feords of welcome, said, "Here is your cousin Florence, Mary I hope you will love each other, and be happy, good little girls" Mary looked alht of her own pale, tearful face touched Florry's heart, and she threw her arms round her neck and kissed her The embrace was unexpected, and Mary wept bitterly

"Florence, why don't you take Mary to her rooo up-stairs, cousin?"

"Oh yes! if you please, I hadher basket from her hand, Florry led the way

Mary took off her bonnet, and turned to look again at her cousin Their eyes met; but, as if overcome by some sudden recollection, she buried her face in her hands and burst again into tears