Page:Orange Grove.djvu/182

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to rest. Her innocent gambols now sent a thousand arrows through her soul, and she tried to get rid of her society, but Miss Tabby would not take the hint.

One morning after being pushed off by her mistress, she looked up at her reproachfully and then scampered away in search of mischief, which was soon found in the shape of an elegant fancy hat that had been carelessly left on the dressing table with the strings hanging down just far enough for her claws to drag on the floor, where, after disarranging the flowers to her heart's content she snugly ensconced herself within it for her morning nap.

Milly went out one day, and seeing some children with a quantity of pond lilies, begged a few for Rosalind, knowing her fondness for them, and thinking to surprise her agreeably by placing them in her room. She was doomed to disappointment by hearing a painful "Oh!" as Rosalind entered one door while she was going out at the other. By way of apology Milly returned and took the flowers saying, "Oh I suppose Mr. Livingston brings you all the lilies you want."

Rosalind soon followed her out, having too much strength of character to allow herself to be long discomposed at the expense of another's happiness. Of great self-control there was nothing in her manner to indicate that she suffered now more than usual, and the real goodness in her temper, always came out in the opposite scale in connection with her greatest faults; a fact no one was quicker to perceive than Ernest Livingston.

Milly and Walter were busily engaged with a lame