'78 THE COUSINS.

and her companions at school had been so long
preparing. It was bright and still, though cold,
and, at an earlier hour than usual, the young
scholars began to assemble. It was a pleasant
sight, that group of young girls, dressed with
more than usual neatness, their eyes sparkling
with pleased expectation, and their manners full
of lively cordiality. How rapidly and how
earnestly they talked, my young readers will
easily imagine without any aid from me. There
were two or three among them attired in great
elegance. Among these, Miss Ann Noel, wearing
a lilac silk skirt and a claret-coloured velvet
spencer, with a profusion of stiff curls, and a
pair of light satin slippers, attracted, perhaps, the
most attention. If her showy dress excited any
envy among her companions, we are sure that,
before the day was over, the feeling was ex-
changed for the deepest pity, as she was found
so ignorant on every subject, that one rather
cross old gentleman. whispered so loudly that
many heard him, “that the young lady with
a frock and jacket of different colours reminded
him, with her fine dress and her silly answers,