Miss Winter has set Mary to read 'To be, or not to be,' and it would have driven me distracted to have stayed there.

I have got a most beautiful sum in Compound Proportion, about a lion, a wolf, and a bear eating up a carcase, and as soon as they have done it, you shall hear me say my ancient geography, and then we will do a nice bit of Tasso; and if we have any time after that, I have got such a thing to tell you--only I must not tell you now, or I shall go on talking and not finish my lessons." It was not till all were done, that Ethel felt free to exclaim, "Now for what I have been longing to tell you--Richard is going to--" But the fates were unpropitious.

Aubrey trotted in, expecting to be amused; next came Norman, and Ethel gave up in despair; and, after having affronted Flora in the morning, Margaret was afraid of renewing the offence, by attempting to secure Ethel as her companion for the afternoon; so not till after the walk could Margaret contrive to claim the promised, communication, telling Ethel to come and settle herself cosily by her.
"I should have been very glad of you last evening," said she, "for papa went to sleep, and my book was out of reach." "Oh, I am sorry; how I pity you, poor Margaret!" "I suppose I have grown lazy," said Margaret, "for I don't mind those things now.

I am never sorry for a quiet time to recollect and consider." "It must be like the waiting in the dark between the slides of a magic lantern," said Ethel; "I never like to be quiet.

I get so unhappy." "I am glad of resting and recollecting," said Margaret.