20 The Story of the Hamiiltons.

steady behaviour. -Not such was Annie Hore;
her father had made his money by one sudden
stroke of fortune, and Annie had a vast idea
of her own importance, derived from his in-
culcations, which were those of a well-meaning
but vulgar man. She had the misfortune to
lose her mother early, and, being left much to
the care of servants, was destitute of that
considerateness and feeling for others which
can constitute a true gentlewoman.
 One evening, a few days after the foregoing
occurrences, the well-set tea table at the
Grange (so Mr. Hamilton's house was called),
the glowing fire, bright lights, and happy
faces round it proclaimed the tasks of the day
to be over. Grace and Edith were already
busily testing the merits of the toast and cake
when Mr. Hamilton's appearance caused a
cessation of a few minutes in their employ-
ment while they each went up to receive their
evening salutation. When all were again
seated, Mrs. Hamilton headed the table, and
with her gentle, cheerful face, seemed to
radiate peace and content around her. Mr.
Hamilton was opposite her, and on either side
sat one of their daughters; as for little Her-
bert, he had been in bed almost an hour ago.
 "I Well, Quicksilver," said Mr. Hamilton,