134 THE COUSINS.

pathy with Lucy’s sufferings make her feel more
tenderly towards her, but she found Lucy a more
amiable and pleasant companion than she had
ever done before. Clara Nye agreed with her in
this opinion, and also spent much of her time in
the sick-room. They were seated together there
one morning in cheerful conversation, when Mr.
Lovett centered, and said pleasantly to Lucy,
“Well, daughter, when are you going to make
your first experiment in walking ?”

“Now, papa, if you choose,” replied Lucy.

“Well, dear child, you know I told you you
could not walk, for some time to come, without
support.”

“T know you did, papa; and so now I can
lcan on you on one side, and Cousin Mary or Clara
will come on my other side.”’

Mr. Lovett listened to her with a sad smile,
and then, shaking his head, s id, ‘‘ That will not
ao, my child.” He stooped down, and, throwing
open the cloak in which Lucy was wrapped, he
told her to try to put her feet to the floor. She
found she could, by no possibility, put one of them

down straight with the sole standing on the floor.