Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/213

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FRANCES BEAUMONT.
207

ance. Mrs. Cameron's smile was a great stimulus, she felt that she was bound to do her kind instructress all the credit that could be given by the display of whatever accomplishments she might possess. The sight of Emmeline, who turned towards her a face literally "covered all over with smiles," was very cheering. The company began to assemble, and Fanny entered, like the rest, into the pleasant anxiety and excitement of the hour. Many an admiring eye was cast upon her, and scarcely one there but asked, "who was that very lovely girl?"

We have said before that Mrs. Cameron's manner was a little stately, the consequence perhaps of her tall and erect figure, but, she united with it a graciousness, and a happiness of phrase, that an ambassadress might have envied. Every prize was given with a few kind and encouraging words that doubled its value; and the parents around were divided between admiration of the good fortune which had blessed them with such children, and of the governess