HALCYON DAYS.

crash. Louisa uttered a passionate cry, and the angry
colour reddened her brow, as she exclaimed, "What
made you tell me to put it there ?"
 Oh, Louisa Louisa !" said Minnie, bursting into
tears, I am so sorry, so very sorry."
 Moved by her sister's tears, Louisa conquered her
temper; almost as if ashamed of her own gentleness,
and blushing as she kissed her, she replied in a low
tone, "Never mind, Minnie; do not cry about it, you
see I don't."
 Miss Forster was anxiously watching this scene;
and though most happy at the successful effort Louisa
had made to subdue her irritation, she said nothing
in commendation. She knew well that such a vic-
tory would be its own reward. The little girl, indeed,
regained her usual cheerfulness after the accident
long before her sister, who looked dull and thoughtful
until she heard the wheels of the carriage which
brought William home for his midsummer holi-
days.
 All clouds disappeared as they then both rushed
to the door to receive him, and with kisses and noisy
laughter, and a strange confusion of words, took him
into the drawing-room to their father and mother.
Soon he was conducted thence triumphantly to the
school-room, to be introduced to their governess.
 Here he is i" cried Minnie; this is William, Miss
Forster.'
 "Gently, gently," said Miss Forster, smiling and
shaking hands with the pleasant-looking boy, whose
laughing blue eyes sparkled with delight at his sisters'
wild merriment. He had scarcely time to look at the
gay holiday dress of the room he used to think so
dismal, when he was forced out of the house to visit
"the desert," at the sight of which, so blooming and