At the youthful little assemblies of her sex, when, under the guide of their respected governesses, the girls came to tea at six o'clock, dancing, charades, and so forth, Ethel herded not with the children of her own age, nor yet with the teachers who sit apart at these assemblies, imparting to each other their little wrongs; but Ethel romped with the little children--the rosy little trots--and took them on her knees, and told them a thousand stories.

By these she was adored, and loved like a mother almost, for as such the hearty kindly girl showed herself to them; but at home she was alone, farouche and intractable, and did battle with the governesses, and overcame them one after another.

I break the promise of a former page, and am obliged to describe the youthful days of more than one person who is to take a share in this story.

Not always doth the writer know whither the divine Muse leadeth him.

But of this be sure--she is as inexorable as Truth.