Mr。Fisher，saidDr。Middleton，astoyou，Ishallnotpunishyou。I
havenohopeofmakingyoueitherwiserorbetter。Doyouknowthispaper？——thepaperappearedtobeabillforcandlesandatinder-box。
Idesiredhimtobuythosethings，sir，saidArcher，colouring。
Anddidyoudesirehimnottopayforthem？
No，saidArcher，hehadhalfacrownonpurposetopayforthem。
Iknowhehad，buthechosetoapplyittohisprivateuse，andgaveittothegipsytobuytwelvebunsforhisowneating。Toobtaincreditforthetinder-boxandcandles，hemadeuseofTHISname，saidhe，turningtotheothersideofthebill，andpointingtoDeGrey’sname，whichwaswrittenattheendofacopyofoneofDeGrey’sexercises。
Iassureyou，sir——criedArcher。
Youneednotassureme，sir，saidDr。Middleton。Icannotsuspectaboyofyourtemperofhavinganypartinsobaseanaction。WhenthepeopleintheshoprefusedtoletMr。Fisherhavethethingswithoutpayingforthem，hemadeuseofDeGrey’sname，whowasknownthere。
Suspectingsomemischief，however，fromthepurchaseofthetinder-box，theshopkeeperinformedmeofthecircumstance。NothinginthiswholebusinessgavemehalfsomuchpainasIfelt，foramoment，whenI
suspectedthatDeGreywasconcernedinit。Aloudcry，inwhichArcher’svoicewasheardmostdistinctly，declaredDeGrey’sinnocence。
Dr。Middletonlookedroundattheireager，honestfaces，withbenevolentapprobation。Archer，saidhe，takinghimbythehand，Iamheartilygladtoseethatyouhavegotthebetterofyourpartyspirit。Iwishyoumaykeepsuchafriendasyouhavenowbesideyou。onesuchfriendisworthtwosuchparties。Asforyou，Mr。Fisher，depart。youmustneverreturnhitheragain。InvainhesolicitedArcherandDeGreytointercedeforhim。Everybodyturnedawaywithcontempt。andhesneakedout，whimperinginadolefulvoice，WhatshallIsaytomyAuntBarbara？
THEBRACELETS。
InabeautifulandretiredpartofEnglandlivedMrs。Villars，aladywhoseaccurateunderstanding，benevolentheart，andsteadytemperpeculiarlyfittedherforthemostdifficult，aswellasmostimportant，ofalloccupations——theeducationofyouth。Thistaskshehadundertaken。andtwentyyoungpersonswereputunderhercare，withtheperfectconfidenceoftheirparents。Noyoungpeoplecouldbehappier。
theyweregoodandgay，emulous，butnotenviousofeachother。forMrs。
Villarswasimpartiallyjust。herpraisetheyfelttobetherewardofmerit，andherblametheyknewtobethenecessaryconsequenceofill-
conduct。Totheone，therefore，theypatientlysubmitted，andintheotherconsciouslyrejoiced。Theyrosewithfreshcheerfulnessinthemorning，eagertopursuetheirvariousoccupations。Theyreturnedintheeveningwithrenewedardourtotheiramusements，andretiredtorestsatisfiedwiththemselvesandpleasedwitheachother。
Nothingsomuchcontributedtopreserveaspiritofemulationinthislittlesocietyasasmallhonorarydistinction，givenannually，asaprizeofsuccessfulapplication。Theprizethisyearwaspeculiarlydeartoeachindividual，asitwasthepictureofafriendwhomtheydearlyloved。ItwasthepictureofMrs。Villarsinasmallbracelet。Itwantedneithergold，pearlsnorpreciousstonestogiveitvalue。
ThetwoforemostcandidatesforthisprizewereCeciliaandLeonora。
CeciliawasthemostintimatefriendofLeonora。butLeonorawasonlythefavouritecompanionofCecilia。
Ceciliawasofanactive，ambitious，enterprisingdisposition，moreeagerinthepursuitthanhappyintheenjoymentofherwishes。Leonorawasofacontented，unaspiringtemperatecharacter。noteasilyrousedtoaction，butindefatigablewhenonceexcited。Leonorawasproud。Ceciliawasvain。Hervanitymadehermoredependentupontheapprobationofothers，andthereforemoreanxioustopleasethanLeonora。butthatveryvanitymadeher，atthesametime，moreapttooffend。Inshort，Leonorawasthemostanxioustoavoidwhatwaswrong。Cecilia，themostambitioustodowhatwasright。Fewofhercompanionsloved，butmanywereledbyCecilia，forshewasoftensuccessful。ManylovedLeonora，butnonewereevergovernedbyher，forshewastooindolenttogovern。
OnthefirstdayofMay，aboutsixo’clockintheevening，agreatbellrang，tosummonthislittlesocietyintoahall，wheretheprizewastobedecided。Anumberofsmalltableswereplacedinacircleinthemiddleofthehall。Seatsfortheyoungcompetitorswereraisedoneaboveanother，inasemicircle，someyardsdistantfromthetable，andthejudges’chairs，undercanopiesoflilacsandlaburnums，forminganothersemicircle，closedtheamphitheatre。
Everyoneputtheirwritings，theirdrawings，theirworksofvariouskindsuponthetablesappropriatedforeach。Howunsteadywerethelaststepstothesetables！Howeachlittlehandtrembledasitlaiddownitsclaims！Tillthismomenteveryonethoughtherselfsecureofsuccess。andtheheart，whichexultedwithhope，nowpalpitatedwithfear。
Theworkswereexamined，thepreferenceadjudged，andtheprizewasdeclaredtobethehappyCecilia’s。Mrs。Villarscameforward，smiling，withthebraceletinherhand。Ceciliawasbehindhercompanions，onthehighestrow。Alltheothersgaveway，andshewasonthefloorinaninstant。Mrs。Villarsclaspedthebraceletonherarm。theclaspwasheardthroughthewholehall，andauniversalsmileofcongratulationfollowed。Mrs。VillarskissedCecilia’slittlehand。Andnow，saidshe，goandrejoicewithyourcompanions。theremainderofthedayisyours。
Oh！youwhoseheartsareelatedwithsuccess，whosebosomsbeathighwithjoyinthemomentoftriumph，commandyourselves。Letthattriumphbemoderate，thatitmaybelasting。Consider，thatthoughyouaregood，youmaybebetter。and，thoughwise，youmaybeweak。
AssoonasMrs。Villarshadgivenherthebracelet，allCecilia’slittlecompanionscrowdedroundher，andtheyallleftthehallinaninstant。
Shewasfullofspiritsandvanity。Sheranon。Runningdowntheflightofstepswhichledtothegarden，inherviolenthaste，CeciliathrewdownthelittleLouisa，whohadachinamandarininherhand，whichhermotherhadsentherthatverymorning，andwhichwasallbrokentopiecesbyherfall。
Oh，mymandarin！criedLouisa，burstingintotears。ThecrowdbehindCeciliasuddenlystopped。Louisasatontheloweststep，fixinghereyesuponthebrokenpieces。Then，turninground，shehidherfaceinherhandsuponthestepaboveher。Inturning，Louisathrewdowntheremainsofthemandarin。Thehead，whichsheplacedinthesocket，fellfromtheshoulders，androlled，boundingalongthegravelwalk。Ceciliapointedtotheheadandtothesocket，andburstintolaughter。Thecrowdbehindlaughed，too。
AtanyothertimetheywouldhavebeenmoreinclinedtocrywithLouisa。
butCeciliahadjustbeensuccessful，andsympathywiththevictoriousoftenmakesusforgetjustice。
Leonora，however，preservedherusualconsistency。PoorLouisa！saidshe，lookingfirstather，andthenreproachfullyatCecilia。Ceciliaturnedsharplyround，colouring，halfwithshameandhalfwithvexation。
Icouldnothelpit，Leonora，saidshe。
Butyoucouldhavehelpedlaughing，Cecilia。
Ididn’tlaughatLouisa。andIsurelymaylaugh，foritdoesnobodyanyharm。
Iamsure，however，repliedLeonora，IshouldnothavelaughedifI
had——
No，tobesure，youwouldn’t，becauseLouisaisyourfavourite。Icanbuyheranothermandarinwhentheoldpeddlercomestothedoor，ifthat’sall。ICANdonomore，CANI？saidshe，againturningroundtohercompanions。No，tobesure，saidthey。that’sallfair。
CecilialookedtriumphantlyatLeonora。Leonoraletgoherhand。sheranon，andthecrowdfollowed。Whenshegottotheendofthegarden，sheturnedroundtoseeifLeonorahadfollowedher，too。butwasvexedtoseeherstillsittingonthestepswithLouisa。I’msureIcandonomorethanbuyheranother，CANI！saidshe，againappealingtohercompanions。No，tobesure，saidthey，eagertobegintheirplay。
Howmanygamesdidthesejuvenileplaymatesbeginandleaveoff，beforeCeciliacouldbesatisfiedwithany！Herthoughtswerediscomposed，andhermindwasrunninguponsomethingelse。Nowonder，then，thatshedidnotplaywithherusualaddress。Shegrewstillmoreimpatient。Shethrewdowntheninepins。Come，letusplayatsomethingelse——atthreadingtheneedle，saidshe，holdingoutherhand。Theyallyieldedtothehandwhichworethebracelet。ButCecilia，dissatisfiedwithherself，wasdiscontentedwitheverybodyelse。Hertonegrewmoreandmoreperemptory。Onewastoorude，anothertoostiff。onetooslow，anothertooquick。inshorteverythingwentwrong，andeverybodywastiredofherhumours。
ThetriumphofSUCCESSisabsolute，butshort。Cecilia’scompanionsatlengthrecollectedthatthoughshehadembroideredatulip，andpaintedapeach，betterthanthey，yetthattheycouldplayaswell，andkeeptheirtempersbetter。forshewasdiscomposed。
Walkingtowardsthehouseinapeevishmood，CeciliametLeonora，butpassedon。Cecilia！criedLeonora。
Well，whatdoyouwantwithme？
Arewefriends？
Youknowbest，saidCecilia。
Weare，ifyouwillletmetellLouisathatyouaresorry——
Cecilia，interruptingher，Oh，prayletmehearnomoreaboutLouisa！
What！notconfessthatyouwereinthewrong？Oh，Cecilia！Ihadabetteropinionofyou。
Youropinionisofnoconsequencetomenow，foryoudon’tloveme。
No。notwhenyouareunjust，Cecilia。
Unjust！Iamnotunjust。andifIwere，youarenotmygoverness。
No，butamnotIyourfriend？
Idon’tdesiretohavesuchafriend，whowouldquarrelwithmeforhappeningtothrowdownlittleLouisa。HowcouldItellthatshehadamandarininherhand？andwhenitwasbroken，couldIdomorethanpromiseheranother。wasthatunjust？
Butyouknow，Cecilia——
IKNOW，ironically。Iknow，Leonora，thatyouloveLouisabetterthanyouloveme。that’stheinjustice！
IfIdid，repliedLeonora，gravely，itwouldbenoinjustice，ifshedeserveditbetter。
HowcanyoucompareLouisatome！exclaimedCecilia，indignantly。
Leonoramadenoanswer。forshewasreallyhurtatherfriend’sconduct。
Shewalkedontojointherestofhercompanions。Theyweredancinginarounduponthegrass。Leonoradeclineddancing。buttheyprevaileduponhertosingforthem。Hervoicewasnotsosprightly，butitwassweeterthanusual。WhosangsosweetlyasLeonora？orwhodancedsonimblyasLouisa？Awayshewasflying，allspiritsandgaiety，whenLeonora’seyesfulloftears，caughthers。Louisasilentlyletgohercompanion’shand，and，quittingthedance，ranuptoLeonoratoinquirewhatwasthematterwithher。Nothing，repliedshe，thatneedinterruptyou。Go，mydear。goanddanceagain。
Louisaimmediatelyranawaytohergarden，andpullingoffherlittlestrawhat，shelineditwiththefresheststrawberry-leaves，andwasuponherkneesbeforethestrawberry-bedwhenCeciliacameby。CeciliawasnotdisposedtobepleasedwithLouisaatthatinstant，fortworeasons。
becauseshewasjealousofher，andbecauseshehadinjuredher。Theinjury，however，Louisahadalreadyforgotten。Perhapstotellthingsjustastheywere，shewasnotquitesomuchinclinedtokissCeciliaasshewouldhavebeenbeforethefallofhermandarin。butthiswastheutmostextentofhermalice，ifitcanbecalledmalice。
Whatareyoudoingthere，littleone？saidCecilia，inasharptone。
Areyoueatingyourearlystrawberrieshereallalone？
No，saidLouisa，mysteriously，Iamnoteatingthem。
Whatareyoudoingwiththem？can’tyouanswer，then？I’mnotplayingwithyou，child！
Oh，astothat，Cecilia，youknowIneednotansweryouunlessIchooseit。notbutwhatIwouldifyouwouldonlyaskmecivilly，andifyouwouldnotcallmeCHILD。
WhyshouldnotIcallyouchild？
Because——because——Idon’tknow。butIwishyouwouldstandoutofmylight，Cecilia，foryouaretramplinguponallmystrawberries。
Ihavenottouchedone，youcovetouslittlecreature！
Indeed——indeed，Cecilia，Iamnotcovetous。Ihavenoteatenoneofthem。theyareallforyourfriendLeonora。Seehowunjustyouare！
Unjust！that’sacantwordwhichyoulearntofmyfriendLeonora，asyoucallher。butsheisnotmyfriendnow。
Notyourfriendnow！exclaimedLouisa。thenIamsureyoumusthavedonesomethingVERYnaughty。
How？criedCecilia，catchingholdofher。
Letmego，letmego！criedLouisa，struggling。Iwon’tgiveyouoneofmystrawberries，forIdon’tlikeyouatall！
Youdon’t，don’tyou？criedCecilia，provoked，and，catchingthehatfromLouisa，sheflungthestrawberriesoverthehedge。
Willnobodyhelpme？exclaimedLouisa，snatchingherhatagain，andrunningawaywithallherforce。
WhathaveIdone？saidCecilia，recollectingherself。Louisa！Louisa！
shecalledveryloud，butLouisawouldnotturnback。shewasrunningtohercompanions，whowerestilldancing，handinhand，uponthegrass，whilstLeonora，sittinginthemiddle，wassingingtothem。
Stop！stop！andhearme！criedLouisa，breakingthroughthem。and，rushinguptoLeonora，shethrewherhatatherfeet，andpantingforbreath——Itwasfull——almostfullofmyownstrawberries，saidshe，thefirstIevergotoutofmygarden。Theyshouldallhavebeenforyou，Leonora。butnowIhavenotoneleft。Theyareallgone！saidshe。andshehidherfaceinLeonora’slap。
Gone！gonewhere？saideveryone，atoncerunninguptoher。
Cecilia！Cecilia！saidshe，sobbing。
Cecilia，repeatedLeonora，whatofCecilia？
Yes，itwas——itwas。
Comewithme，saidLeonora，unwillingtohaveherfriendexposed。
Come，andIwillgetyousomemorestrawberries。
Oh，Idon’tmindthestrawberries，indeed。butIwantedtohavehadthepleasureofgivingthemtoyou。
Leonoratookherupinherarmstocarryheraway，butitwastoolate。
What，Cecilia！Cecilia，whowontheprize！ItcouldnotsurelybeCecilia，whisperedeverybusytongue。
Atthisinstantthebellsummonedthemin。Theresheis！Theresheis！criedthey，pointingtoanarbour，whereCeciliawasstandingashamedandalone。and，astheypassedher，somelifteduptheirhandsandeyeswithastonishment，otherswhisperedandhuddledmysteriouslytogether，asiftoavoidher。Leonorawalkedon，herheadalittlehigherthanusual。
Leonora！saidCecilia，timorously，asshepassed。
Oh，Cecilia！whowouldhavethoughtthatyouhadabadheart？Ceciliaturnedherheadasideandburstintotears。
Oh，no，indeed，shehasnotabadheart！criedLouisa，runninguptoherandthrowingherarmsaroundherneck。She’sverysorry。arenotyou，Cecilia？Butdon’tcryanymore，forIforgiveyou，withallmyheart——andIloveyounow，thoughIsaidIdidnotwhenIwasinapassion。
Oh，yousweet-temperedgirl！howIloveyou！saidCecilia，kissingher。
Well，then，ifyoudo，comealongwithme，anddryyoureyes，fortheyaresored！
Go，mydear，andI’llcomepresently。
ThenIwillkeepaplaceforyou，nexttome。butyoumustmakehaste，oryouwillhavetocomeinwhenwehaveallsatdowntosupper，andthenyouwillbesostaredat！Sodon’tstay，now。
CeciliafollowedLouisawithhereyestillshewasoutofsight。AndisLouisa，saidshe，toherself，theonlyonewhowouldstoptopityme？
Mrs。Villarstoldmethatthisdayshouldbemine。Shelittlethoughthowitwouldend！
Sayingthesewords，Ceciliathrewherselfdownupontheground。herarmleaneduponaheapofturfwhichshehadraisedinthemorning，andwhich，intheprideandgaietyofherheart，shehadcalledherthrone。
Atthisinstant，Mrs。Villarscameouttoenjoytheserenityoftheevening，and，passingbythearbourwhereCecilialay，shestarted。
Ceciliarosehastily。
Whoisthere？saidMrs。Villars。
ItisI，madam。
Andwhois_I_？
Cecilia。
Why，whatkeepsyouhere，mydear？Whereareyourcompanions？Thisis，perhaps，oneofthehappiestdaysofyourlife。
Oh，no，madam，saidCecilia，hardlyabletorepresshertears。
Why，mydear，whatisthematter？Ceciliahesitated。Speak，mydear。
YouknowthatwhenIaskyoutotellmeanythingasyourfriend，Ineverpunishyouasyourgoverness。thereforeyouneednotbeafraidtotellmewhatisthematter。
No，madam，Iamnotafraid，butashamed。YouaskedmewhyIwasnotwithmycompanions。Why，madam，becausetheyhaveallleftme，and——
Andwhat，mydear？
AndIseethattheyalldislikeme。andyetIdon’tknowwhytheyshould，forItakeasmuchpainstopleaseasanyofthem。Allmymastersseemsatisfiedwithme。andyouyourself，madam，werepleasedthisverymorningtogivemethisbracelet。andIamsureyouwouldnothavegivenittoanyonewhodidnotdeserveit。
Certainlynot，saidMrs。Villars。Youwelldeserveitforyourapplication——foryoursuccessfulapplication。Theprizewasforthemostassiduous，notforthemostamiable。
Then，ifithadbeenforthemostamiable，itwouldnothavebeenforme？
Mrs。Villars，smiling，——Why，whatdoyouthinkyourself，Cecilia？YouarebetterabletojudgethanIam。IcandeterminewhetherornoyouapplytowhatIgiveyoutolearn。whetheryouattendtowhatIdesireyoutodo，andavoidwhatIdesireyounottodo。IknowthatIlikeyouasapupil，butIcannotknowthatIshouldlikeyouasacompanion，unlessIwereyourcompanion。ThereforeImustjudgeofwhatIshoulddo，byseeingwhatothersdointhesamecircumstances。
Oh，praydon’t，madam！forthenyouwouldnotlovemeeither。AndyetI
thinkyouwouldloveme。forIhopethatIamasreadytooblige，andasgood-naturedas——
Yes，Cecilia，Idon’tdoubtbutthatyouwouldbeverygoodnaturedtome。butI’mafraidthatIshouldnotlikeyouunlessyouweregood-
tempered，too。
But，madam，bygood-naturedImeangood-tempered——it’sallthesamething。
No，indeed，Iunderstandbythemtwoverydifferentthings。Youaregood-natured，Cecilia。foryouaredesiroustoobligeandserveyourcompanions——togainthempraise，andsavethemfromblame——togivethempleasure，andrelievethemfrompain。butLeonoraisgood-tempered，forshecanbearwiththeirfoibles，andacknowledgeherown。Withoutdisputingabouttheright，shesometimesyieldstothosewhoareinthewrong。Inshort，hertemperisperfectlygood。foritcanbearandforbear。
Iwishthatminecould！saidCecilia，sighing。
Itmay，repliedMrs。Villars。butitisnotwishesalonewhichcanimproveusinanything。Turnthesameexertionandperseverancewhichhavewonyoutheprizeto-daytothisobject，andyouwillmeetwiththesamesuccess。perhapsnotonthefirst，thesecond，orthethirdattempt。
butdependuponitthatyouwillatlast。Everyneweffortwillweakenyourbadhabits，andstrengthenyourgoodones。Butyoumustnotexpecttosucceedallatonce。Irepeatittoyou，forhabitmustbecounteractedbyhabit。Itwouldbeasextravagantinustoexpectthatallourfaultscouldbedestroyedbyonepunishment，wereiteversosevere，asitwasintheRomanemperorwewerereadingofafewdaysago，towishthatalltheheadsofhisenemieswereupononeneck，thathemightcutthemoffatoneblow。
HereMrs。VillarstookCeciliabythehand，andtheybegantowalkhome。
SuchwasthenatureofCecilia’smind，thatwhenanyobjectwasforciblyimpressedonherimagination，itcausedatemporarysuspensionofherreasoningfaculties。Hopewastoostrongastimulusforherspirits。andwhenfeardidtakepossessionofhermind，itwasattendedwithtotaldebility。Hervanitywasnowasmuchmortifiedasinthemorningithadbeenelated。ShewalkedonwithMrs。Villarsinsilence，untiltheycameundertheshadeoftheelm-treewalk，andthere，fixinghereyesuponMrs。Villars，shestoppedshort。
Doyouthink，madam，saidshe，withhesitation——doyouthink，madam，thatIhaveabadheart？
Abadheart，——mydear！why，whatputthatintoyourhead？
LeonorasaidthatIhad，madam，andIfeltashamedwhenshesaidso。
But，mydear，howcanLeonoratellwhetheryourheartbegoodorbad？
However，inthefirstplace，tellmewhatyoumeanbyabadheart。
IndeedIdonotknowwhatismeantbyit，madam。butitissomethingwhicheverybodyhates。
Andwhydotheyhateit？
Becausetheythinkthatitwillhurtthem，ma’am，Ibelieve：andthatthosewhohavebadheartstakedelightindoingmischief。andthattheyneverdoanybodyanygoodbutfortheirownends。
Thenthebestdefinition，saidMrs。Villars，whichyoucangivemeofabadheartis，thatitissomeconstantpropensitytohurtothers，andtodowrongforthesakeofdoingwrong。
Yes，madam。butthatisnotalleither。Thereisstillsomethingelsemeant。somethingwhichIcannotexpress——which，indeed，Ineverdistinctlyunderstood。butofwhich，therefore，Iwasthemoreafraid。
Well，then，tobeginwithwhatyoudounderstand，tellme，Cecilia，doyoureallythinkitpossibletobewickedmerelyfortheloveofwickedness？Nohumanbeingbecomeswickedallatonce。Amanbeginsbydoingwrongbecauseitis，orbecausehethinksit，forhisinterest。Ifhecontinuetodoso，hemustconquerhissenseofshameandlosehisloveofvirtue。Buthowcanyou，Cecilia，whofeelsuchastrongsenseofshame，andsuchaneagerdesiretoimprove，imaginethatyouhaveabadheart？
Indeed，madam，Ineverdid，untileverybodytoldmeso，andthenIbegantobefrightenedaboutit。Thisveryevening，madam，whenIwasinapassion，IthrewlittleLouisa’sstrawberriesaway，which，Iamsure，I
wasverysorryforafterwards。andLeonoraandeverybodycriedoutthatI
hadabadheart——butIamsureIwasonlyinapassion。
Verylikely。Andwhenyouareinapassion，asyoucallit，Cecilia，youseethatyouaretemptedtodoharmtoothers。Iftheydonotfeelangrythemselves，theydonotsympathizewithyou。Theydonotperceivethemotivewhichactuatesyou。andthentheysaythatyouhaveabadheart。Idaresay，however，whenyourpassionisover，andwhenyourecollectyourself，youareverysorryforwhatyouhavedoneandsaid。
arenotyou？
Yes，indeed，madam——verysorry。
Thenmakethatsorryofusetoyou，Cecilia，andfixitsteadilyinyourthoughts，asyouhopetobegoodandhappy，thatifyousufferyourselftoyieldtoyourpassionuponeveryoccasion，angeranditsconsequenceswillbecomefamiliartoyourmind。and，inthesameproportion，yoursenseofshamewillbeweakened，tillwhatyoubeganwithdoingfromsuddenimpulseyouwillendwithdoingfromhabitandchoice：thenyouwould，indeed，accordingtoourdefinition，haveabadheart。
Oh，madam！Ihope——IamsureInevershall。
No，indeed，Cecilia。Ido，indeed，believethatyouneverwill。onthecontrary，Ithinkthatyouhaveaverygooddisposition，andwhatisofinfinitelymoreconsequencetoyou，anactivedesireofimprovement。
Showmethatyouhaveasmuchperseveranceasyouhavecandour，andI
shallnotdespairofyourbecomingeverythingthatIcouldwish。
HereCecilia’scountenancebrightened，andsheranupthestepsinalmostashighspiritsassherandowntheminthemorning。
Good-nighttoyou，Cecilia，saidMrs。Villars，asshewascrossingthehall。Good-nighttoyou，madam，saidCecilia。andsheranupstairstobed。Shecouldnotgotosleep。butshelayawake，reflectingupontheeventsoftheprecedingday，andformingresolutionsforthefuture，atthesametimethatshehadresolved，andresolvedwithouteffect，shewishedtogivehermindsomemorepowerfulmotive。Ambitionsheknewtobeitsmostpowerfulincentive。HaveInot，saidshetoherself，alreadywontheprizeofapplication，andcannotthesameapplicationprocuremeamuchhigherprize？Mrs。Villarssaidthatiftheprizehadbeenpromisedtothemostamiable，itwouldnothavebeengiventome。
Perhapsitwouldnotyesterday，perhapsitmightnotto-morrow。butthatisnoreasonthatIshoulddespairofeverdeservingit……
Inconsequenceofthisreasoning，Ceciliaformedadesignofproposingtohercompanionsthattheyshouldgiveaprize，thefirstoftheensuingmonththelstofJune，tothemostamiable。Mrs。Villarsapplaudedthescheme，andhercompanionsadopteditwiththegreatestalacrity。
Lettheprize，saidthey，beabraceletofourownhair。andinstantlytheirshiningscissorswereproduced，andeachcontributedalockoftheirhair。Theyformedthemostbeautifulgradationofcolours，fromthepalestauburntothebrightestblack。Whowastohavethehonourofplaitingthem？wasnowthequestion。Carolinebeggedthatshemight，asshecouldplaitveryneatly，shesaid。Cecilia，however，wasequallysurethatshecoulddoitmuchbetter。andadisputewouldhaveinevitablyensued，ifCecilia，recollectingherselfjustashercolourrosetoscarlet，hadnotyielded——yielded，withnoverygoodgraceindeed，butaswellascouldbeexpectedforthefirsttime。Foritishabitwhichconfersease。andwithoutease，eveninmoralactions，therecanbenograce。
ThebraceletwasplaitedintheneatestmannerbyCaroline，finishedroundtheedgewithsilvertwist，andonitwasworked，inthesmallestsilverletters，thismotto，TOTHEMOSTAMIABLE。Themomentitwascompleted，everybodybeggedtotryiton。Itfastenedwithlittlesilverclasps，andasitwasmadelargeenoughfortheeldestgirls，itwastoolargefortheyoungest。Ofthistheybitterlycomplained，andunanimouslyentreatedthatitmightbecuttofitthem。
Howfoolish！exclaimedCecilia。don’tyouperceivethatifanyofyouwinit，youhavenothingtodobuttoputtheclipsalittlefurtherfromtheedge，butifwegetit，wecan’tmakeitlarger？
Verytrue，saidthey。butyouneednottohavecalledusfoolish，Cecilia。
ItwasbysuchhastyandunguardedexpressionsasthesethatCeciliaoffended。Aslightdifferenceinthemannermakesaverymaterialoneintheeffect。Cecilialostmorelovebygeneralpetulancethanshecouldgainbythegreatestparticularexertions。
Howfarshesucceededincuringherselfofthisdefect——howfarshebecamedeservingofthebracelet，andtowhomthebraceletwasgiven——
shallbetoldintheHistoryoftheFirstofJune——
TheFirstofJunewasnowarrived，andalltheyoungcompetitorswereinastateofthemostanxioussuspense。LeonoraandCeciliacontinuedtobetheforemostcandidates。Theirquarrelhadneverbeenfinallyadjusted，andtheirdifferentpretensionsnowretardedallthoughtsofareconciliation。Cecilia，thoughshewascapableofacknowledginganyofherfaultsinpublicbeforeallhercompanions，couldnothumbleherselfinprivatetoLeonora。Leonorawasherequal。theywereherinferiors，andsubmissionismucheasiertoavainmind，whereitappearstobevoluntary，thanwhenitisthenecessarytributetojusticeorcandour。
SostronglydidCeciliafeelthistruth，thatsheevendelayedmakinganyapology，orcomingtoanyexplanationwithLeonora，untilsuccessshouldoncemoregiveherthepalm。
IfIwinthebracelet，to-day，saidshetoherself，IwillsolicitthereturnofLeonora’sfriendship。itwillbemorevaluabletomethaneventhebracelet，andatsuchatime，andaskedinsuchamanner，shesurelycannotrefuseittome。Animatedwiththishopeofadoubletriumph，Ceciliacanvassedwiththemostzealousactivity。Byconstantattentionandexertionshehadconsiderablyabatedtheviolenceofhertemper，andchangedthecourseofherhabits。Herpowersofpleasingwerenowexcited，insteadofherabilitiestoexcel。and，ifhertalentsappearedlessbrilliant，hercharacterwasacknowledgedtobemoreamiable。Sogreataninfluenceuponourmannersandconducthavetheobjectsofourambition。
Ceciliawasnow，ifpossible，morethaneverdesirousofdoingwhatwasright，butshehadnotyetacquiredsufficientfearofdoingwrong。Thiswasthefundamentalerrorofhermind。itaroseinagreatmeasurefromherearlyeducation。Hermotherdiedwhenshewasveryyoung。andthoughherfatherhadsuppliedherplaceinthebestandkindestmanner，hehadinsensiblyinfusedintohisdaughter’smindaportionofthatenterprising，independentspiritwhichhejustlydeemedessentialtothecharacterofherbrother。ThisbrotherwassomeyearsolderthanCecilia，buthehadalwaysbeenthefavouritecompanionofheryouth。
Whatherfather’spreceptsinculcated，hisexampleenforced。andevenCecilia’svirtuesconsequentlybecamesuchasweremoreestimableinamanthandesirableinafemale。Allsmallobjectsandsmallerrorsshehadbeentaughttodisregardastrifles。andherimpatientdispositionwasperpetuallyleadingherintomorematerialfaults。yethercandourinconfessingthese，shehadbeensufferedtobelieve，wassufficientreparationandatonement。
Leonora，onthecontrary，whohadbeeneducatedbyhermotherinamannermoresuitedtohersex，hadacharacterandvirtuesmorepeculiartoafemale。Herjudgmenthadbeenearlycultivated，andhergoodsenseemployedintheregulationofherconduct。Shehadbeenhabituatedtothatrestraint，which，asawoman，shewastoexpectinlife，andearlyaccustomedtoyield。Complianceinherseemednaturalandgraceful。yetnotwithstandingthegentlenessofhertemper，shewasinrealitymoreindependentthanCecilia。Shehadmorerelianceuponherownjudgment，andmoresatisfactioninherownapprobation。Theuniformkindnessofhermanner，theconsistencyandequalityofhercharacter，hadfixedtheesteemandpassiveloveofhercompanions。
Bypassivelovewemeanthatspeciesofaffectionwhichmakesusunwillingtooffendratherthananxioustooblige，whichismoreahabitthananemotionofthemind。ForCeciliahercompanionsfeltactivelove，forshewasactiveinshowingherlovetothem。
Activelovearisesspontaneouslyinthemind，afterfeelingparticularinstancesofkindness，withoutreflectiononthepastconductorgeneralcharacter。Itexceedsthemeritsofitsobject，andisconnectedwithafeelingofgenerosity，ratherthanwithasenseofjustice。
Withoutdeterminingwhichspeciesofloveisthemostflatteringtoothers，wecaneasilydecidewhichisthemostagreeablefeelingtoourminds。Wegiveourheartsmorecreditforbeinggenerousthanforbeingjust。andwefeelmoreself-complacencywhenwegiveourlovevoluntarily，thanwhenweyielditasatributewhichwecannotwithhold。
ThoughCecilia’scompanionsmightnotknowallthisintheory，theyproveditinpractice。fortheylovedherinamuchhigherproportiontohermeritsthantheylovedLeonora。
Eachoftheyoungjudgesweretosignifytheirchoicebyputtingaredorawhiteshellintoavasepreparedforthepurpose。Cecilia’scolourwasred，Leonora’swhite。
Inthemorningnothingwastobeseenbuttheseshells。nothingtalkedofbutthelongexpectedeventoftheevening。Cecilia，followingLeonora’sexample，hadmadeitapointofhonournottoinquireofanyindividualhervote，previouslytotheirfinaldetermination。
TheywerebothsittingtogetherinLouisa’sroom。Louisawasrecoveringfromthemeasles。Everyoneduringherillnesshadbeendesirousofattendingher。butLeonoraandCeciliaweretheonlytwothatwerepermittedtoseeher，astheyalonehadhadthedistemper。TheywerebothassiduousintheircareofLouisa，butLeonora’swantofexertiontoovercomeanydisagreeablefeelingsofsensibilityoftendeprivedherofpresenceofmind，andpreventedherfrombeingsoconstantlyusefulasCecilia。Cecilia，onthecontrary，oftenmadetoomuchnoiseandbustlewithherofficiousassistance，andwastooanxioustoinventamusementsandprocurecomfortsforLouisa，withoutperceivingthatillnesstakesawaythepowerofenjoyingthem。
Asshewassittingatthewindowinthemorning，exertingherselftoentertainLouisa，sheheardthevoiceofanoldpeddlerwhooftenusedtocometothehouse。Downstairstheyranimmediately，toaskMrs。Villars’
permissiontobringhimintothehall。Mrs。Villarsconsented，andawayCeciliarantoproclaimthenewstohercompanions。Then，firstreturningintothehall，shefoundthepeddlerjustunbucklinghisbox，andtakingitoffhisshoulders。
Whatwouldyoubepleasedtowant，miss？saidthepeddler。I’veallkindsoftweezer-cases，rings，andlocketsofallsorts，continuedhe，openingalltheglitteringdrawerssuccessively。
Oh！saidCecilia，shuttingthedraweroflocketswhichtemptedhermost，thesearenotthethingswhichIwant。Haveyouanychinafigures？anymandarins？
Alack-a-day，miss，Ihadagreatstockofthatsamechinaware。butnowI’mquiteoutofthemkindofthings。butIbelieve，saidhe，rummagingoneofthedeepestdrawers，IbelieveIhaveoneleft，andhereitis。
Oh，thatistheverything！what’sitsprice？
Onlythreeshillings，ma’am。Ceciliapaidthemoney，andwasjustgoingtocarryoffthemandarin，whenthepeddlertookoutofhisgreat-
coatpocketaneatmahoganycase。Itwasaboutafootlong，andfastenedateachendbytwolittleclasps。Ithadbesides，asmalllockinthemiddle。
Whatisthat？saidCecilia，eagerly。
It’sonlyachinafigure，miss，whichIamgoingtocarrytoanelderlylady，wholivesnighhand，andwhoismightyfondofsuchthings。
Couldyouletmelookatit？
Andwelcome，miss，saidhe，andopenedthecase。
Oh，goodness！howbeautiful！exclaimedCecilia。
ItwasafigureofFlora，crownedwithroses，andcarryingabasketofflowersinherhand。Ceciliacontemplateditwithdelight。HowI
shouldliketogivethistoLouisa！saidshetoherself。and，atlast，breakingsilence，Didyoupromiseittotheoldlady？
Oh，no，miss，Ididn’tpromiseit——sheneversawit。andifsobethatyou’dliketotakeit，I’dmakenomorewordsaboutit。
Andhowmuchdoesitcost？
Why，miss，astothat，I’llletyouhaveitforhalf-a-guinea。
Ceciliaimmediatelyproducedtheboxinwhichshekepthertreasure，and，emptyingituponthetable，shebegantocounttheshillings。Alas！
therewerebutsixshillings。Howprovoking！saidshe。thenIcan’thaveit。Where’sthemandarin？Oh，Ihaveit，saidshe，takingitup，andlookingatitwiththeutmostdisgust。IsthisthesamethatIhadbefore？
Yes，miss，theverysame，repliedthepeddler，who，duringthistime，hadbeenexaminingthelittleboxoutofwhichCeciliahadtakenhermoney——itwasofsilver。Why，ma’am，saidhe，sinceyou’vetakensuchafancytothepiece，ifyou’veamindtomakeuptheremainderofthemoney，Iwilltakethisherelittlebox，ifyoucaretopartwithit。
NowthisboxwasakeepsakefromLeonoratoCecilia。No，saidCeciliahastily，blushingalittle，andstretchingoutherhandtoreceiveit。
Oh，miss！saidhe，returningitcarelessly，Ihopethere’snooffence。
Imeantbuttoserveyou，that’sall。Suchararepieceofchina-workhasnocausetogoa-begging，addedhe。Then，puttingtheFloradeliberatelyintothecase，andturningthekeywithajerk，heletitdropintohispocket。when，liftinguphisboxbytheleatherstraps，hewaspreparingtodepart。
Oh，stayoneminute！saidCecilia，inwhosemindtherehadpassedaverywarmconflictduringthepeddler’sharangue。LouisawouldsolikethisFlora，saidshe，arguingwithherself。Besides，itwouldbesogenerousinmetogiveittoherinsteadofthatuglymandarin。thatwouldbedoingonlycommonjustice，forIpromisedittoher，andsheexpectsit。Though，whenIcometolookatthismandarin，itisnotevensogoodasherswas。Thegildingisallrubbedoff，sothatIabsolutelymustbuythisforher。Oh，yes！Iwill，andshewillbesodelighted！
andtheneverybodywillsayitistheprettiestthingtheyeversaw，andthebrokenmandarinwillbeforgottenforever。
HereCecilia’shandmoved，andshewasjustgoingtodecide：Oh，butstop，saidshetoherself，consider——Leonoragavemethisbox，anditisakeepsake。However，wehavenowquarrelled，andIdaresaythatshewouldnotmindmypartingwithit。I’msurethatIshouldnotcareifshewastogiveawaymykeepsake，thesmelling-bottle，ortheringwhichIgaveher。Thenwhatdoesitsignify？Besides，isitnotmyown？andhaveInotarighttodowhatIpleasewithit？
Atthismoment，socriticalforCecilia，apartyofhercompanionsopenedthedoor。Sheknewthattheycameaspurchasers，andshedreadedherFlora’sbecomingtheprizeofsomehigherbidder。Here，saidshe，hastilyputtingtheboxintothepeddler’shand，withoutlookingatit。
takeit，andgivemetheFlora。Herhandtrembled，thoughshesnatcheditimpatiently。Sheranby，withoutseemingtomindanyofhercompanions。
Letthosewhoaretemptedtodowrongbythehopesoffuturegratification，ortheprospectofcertainconcealmentandimpunity，rememberthat，unlesstheyaretotallydepraved，theybearintheirownheartsamonitor，whowillpreventtheirenjoyingwhattheyillobtained。
InvainCeciliarantotherestofhercompanions，todisplayherpresent，inhopesthattheapplauseofotherswouldrestoreherownself-
complacency。invainshesawtheFlorapassinduepompfromhandtohand，eachvyingwiththeotherinextollingthebeautyofthegiftandthegenerosityofthegiver。Ceciliawasstilldispleasedwithherself，withthem，andevenwiththeirpraise。FromLouisa’sgratitude，however，sheyetexpectedmuchpleasure，andimmediatelysheranupstairstoherroom。
Inthemeantime，Leonorahadgoneintothehalltobuyabodkin。shehadjustbrokenhers。Ingivingherchange，thepeddlertookoutofhispocket，withsomehalfpence，theveryboxwhichCeciliahadsoldtohim。
Leonoradidnotintheleastsuspectthetruth，forhermindwasabovesuspicion。andbesides，shehadtheutmostconfidenceinCecilia。
Ishouldliketohavethatbox，saidshe，foritislikeoneofwhichIwasveryfond。
Thepeddlernamedtheprice，andLeonoratookthebox。SheintendedtogiveittolittleLouisa。Ongoingtoherroomshefoundherasleep，andshesatsoftlydownbyherbedside。Louisaopenedhereyes。
IhopeIdidn’tdisturbyou，saidLeonora。
Oh，no。Ididn’thearyoucomein。butwhathaveyougotthere？
Onlyalittlebox。wouldyouliketohaveit？Iboughtonpurposeforyou，asIthoughtperhapsitwouldpleaseyou，becauseit’slikethatwhichIgaveCecilia。
Oh，yes！thatoutofwhichsheusedtogivemeBarbarydrops。Iamverymuchobligedtoyou。Ialwaysthoughtthatexceedinglypretty，andthis，indeed，isaslikeitaspossible。Ican’tunscrewit。willyoutry？
Leonoraunscrewedit。Goodness！exclaimedLouisa，thismustbeCecilia’sbox。Look，don’tyouseeagreatLatthebottomofit？
Leonora’scolourchanged。Yes，sherepliedcalmly，Iseethat。butitisnoproofthatitisCecilia’s。YouknowthatIboughtthisboxjustnowofthepeddler。
Thatmaybe，saidLouisa。butIrememberscratchingthatLwithmyownneedle，andCeciliascoldedmeforit，too。Dogoandaskherifshehaslostherbox——do，repeatedLouisa，pullingherbytheruffle，asshedidnotseemtolisten。
Leonora，indeed，didnothear，forshewaslostinthought。Shewascomparingcircumstances，whichhadbeforeescapedherattention。SherecollectedthatCeciliahadpassedherasshecameintothehall，withoutseemingtoseeher，buthadblushedasshepassed。Sherememberedthatthepeddlerappearedunwillingtopartwiththebox，andwasgoingtoputitagaininhispocketwiththehalfpence。Andwhyshouldhekeepitinhispocket，andnotshowitwithhisotherthings？
Combiningallthesecircumstances，Leonorahadnolongeranydoubtofthetruth，forthoughshehadhonourableconfidenceinherfriends，shehadtoomuchpenetrationtobeimplicitlycredulous。
Louisa，shebegan，butatthisinstantsheheardastep，which，byitsquickness，sheknewtobeCecilia’s，comingalongthepassage。Ifyouloveme，Louisa，saidLeonora，saynothingaboutthebox。
Nay，butwhynot？Idaresayshehadlostit。
No，mydear，I’mafraidshehasnot。Louisalookedsurprised。ButI
havereasonsfordesiringyounottosayanythingaboutit。
Well，then，Iwon’t，indeed。
Ceciliaopenedthedoor，cameforwardsmiling，asifsecureofagoodreception，andtakingtheFloraoutofthecase，sheplaceditonthemantlepiece，oppositetoLouisa’sbed。Dear，howbeautiful！criedLouisa，startingup。
Yes，saidCecilia，andguesswhoit’sfor。
Forme，perhaps！saidtheingenuousLouisa。
Yes，takeit，andkeepit，formysake。YouknowthatIbrokeyourmandarin。
Oh，butthisisagreatdealprettierandlargerthanthat。
Yes，Iknowitis。andImeantthatitshouldbeso。IshouldonlyhavedonewhatIwasboundtodoifIhadonlygivenyouamandarin。
Well，repliedLouisa，andthatwouldhavebeenenough，surely。butwhatabeautifulcrownofroses！andthenthatbasketofflowers！theyalmostlookasifIcouldsmellthem。DearCecilia，I’mverymuchobligedtoyou。butIwon’ttakeitbywayofpaymentforthemandarinyoubroke。forI’msureyoucouldnothelpthat，and，besides，Ishouldhavebrokenitmyselfbythistime。Youshallgiveittomeentirely。
andasyourkeepsake，I’llkeepitaslongasIlive。
Louisastoppedshortandcoloured。thewordkeepsakerecalledtheboxtohermind，andallthetrainofideaswhichtheFlorahadbanished。
But，saidshe，lookingupwistfullyinCecilia’sface，andholdingtheFloradoubtfully，didyou——
Leonora，whowasjustquittingtheroom，turnedherheadback，andgaveLouisaalook，whichsilencedher。
Ceciliawassoinfatuatedwithhervanity，thatsheneitherperceivedLeonora’ssignnorLouisa’sconfusion，butcontinuedshowingoffherpresent，byplacingitinvarioussituations，tillatlengthsheputitintothecase，andlayingitdownwithanaffectedcarelessnessuponthebed，Imustgonow，Louisa。Good-bye，saidshe，runningupandkissingher。butI’llcomeagainpresently，then，clappingthedoorafterhershewent。Butassoonastheformentationofherspiritssubsided，thesenseofshame，whichhadbeenscarcelyfeltwhenmixedwithsomanyothersensations，roseuppermostinhermind。What！saidshetoherself，isitpossiblethatIhavesoldwhatIpromisedtokeepforever？andwhatLeonoragaveme？andIhaveconcealedittoo，andhavebeenmakingaparadeofmygenerosity。Oh！whatwouldLeonora，whatwouldLouisa——whatwouldeverybodythinkofme，ifthetruthwereknown？
Humiliatedandgrievedbythesereflections，Ceciliabegantosearchinherownmindforsomeconsolingidea。Shebegantocompareherconductwiththatofothersofherownage。andatlength，fixinghercomparisonuponherbrotherGeorge，asthecompanionofwhom，fromherinfancy，shehadbeenhabituallythemostemulous，sherecollectedthatanalmostsimilarcircumstancehadoncehappenedtohim，andthathehadnotonlyescapeddisgrace，buthadacquiredglory，byanintrepidconfessionofhisfault。Herfather’swordtoherbrother，ontheoccasion，shealsoperfectlyrecollected。
Cometome，George，hesaidholdingouthishand，youareagenerous，braveboy：theywhodaretoconfesstheirfaultswillmakegreatandgoodmen。
Thesewerehiswords。butCecilia，inrepeatingthemtoherself，forgottolaythatemphasisonthewordMEN，whichwouldhaveplaceditincontradistinctiontothewordWOMEN。Shewillinglybelievedthattheobservationextendedequallytobothsexes，andflatteredherselfthatsheshouldexceedherbrotherinmeritifsheownedafault，whichshethoughtthatitwouldbesomuchmoredifficulttoconfess。Yes，but，
saidshe，stoppingherself，howcanIconfessit？Thisveryevening，inafewhours，theprizewillbedecided。LeonoraorIshallwinit。I
havenowasgoodachanceasLeonora，perhapsabetter。andmustIgiveupallmyhopes——allthatIhavebeenlabouringforthismonthpast？Oh，Inevercan！Ifitwerebutto-morrow，oryesterday，oranydaybutthis，Iwouldnothesitate。butnowIamalmostcertainoftheprize，andifIwinit——well，whythenIwill——IthinkIwilltellall——yesIwill。
Iamdetermined，saidCecilia。
Hereabellsummonedthemtodinner。Leonorasatoppositetoher，andshewasnotalittlesurprisedtoseeCecilialooksogayandunconstrained。Surely，saidshetoherself，ifCeciliahaddonethatwhichIsuspect，shewouldnot，shecouldnot，lookasshedoes。ButLeonoralittleknewthecauseofhergaiety。Ceciliawasneverinhigherspirits，orbetterpleasedwithherself，thanwhenshehadresolveduponasacrificeoraconfession。
Mustnotthiseveningbegiventothemostamiable？Whose，then，willitbe？AlleyesglancedfirstatCecilia，andthenatLeonora。Ceciliasmiled。Leonorablushed。Iseethatitisnotyetdecided，saidMrs。
Villars。andimmediatelytheyranupstairs，amidstconfusedwhisperings。
Cecilia’svoicecouldbedistinguishedfarabovetherest。Howcanshebesohappy！saidLeonoratoherself。OhCecilia，therewasatimewhenyoucouldnothaveneglectedmeso！whenwewerealwaystogetherthebestoffriendsandcompanions。ourwishes，tastes，andpleasuresthesame！Surelyshedidonceloveme，saidLeonora。butnowsheisquitechanged。Shehasevensoldmykeepsake。andshewouldratherwinabraceletofhairfromgirlswhomshedidnotalwaysthinksomuchsuperiortoLeonora，thanhavemyesteem，myconfidence，andmyfriendshipforherwholelife——yes，forherwholelife，forIamsureshewillbeanamiablewoman。Oh，thatthisbracelethadneverbeenthoughtof，orthatIwerecertainofherwinningit。forIamsurethatIdonotwishtowinitfromher。Iwouldrather——athousandtimesrather——thatwewereasweusedtobethanhaveallthegloryintheworld。AndhowpleasingCeciliacanbewhenshewishestoplease！——howcandidsheis！——
howmuchshecanimproveherself！Letmebejust，thoughshehasoffendedme。sheiswonderfullyimprovedwithinthislastmonth。Foronefault，andTHATagainstmyself，shallIforgetallhermerits？
AsLeonorasaidtheselastwords，shecouldbutjusthearthevoicesofhercompanions。Theyhadleftheraloneinthegallery。SheknockedsoftlyatLouisa’sdoor。Comein，saidLouisa。I’mnotasleep。Oh，
saidshe，startingupwiththeFlorainherhand，theinstantthatthedoorwasopened。I’msogladyouarecome，Leonora，forIdidsolongtohearwhatyouallweremakingsuchanoiseabout。Haveyouforgotthatthebracelet——
Oh，yes！isthistheevening？inquiredLeonora。
Well，here’smywhiteshellforyou，saidLouisa。I’vekeptitinmypocketthisfortnight。andthoughCeciliadidgivemethisFlora，Istillloveyouagreatdealbetter。
Ithankyou，Louisa，saidLeonora，gratefully。Iwilltakeyourshell，andIshallvalueitaslongasIlive。buthereisaredone，andifyouwishtoshowmethatyouloveme，youwillgivethistoCecilia。
Iknowthatsheisparticularlyanxiousforyourpreference，andIamsurethatshedeservesit。
Yes，ifIcouldIwouldchoosebothofyou，saidLouisa，butyouknowIcanonlychoosewhichIlikethebest。
Ifyoumean，mydearLouisa，saidLeonora，thatyoulikemethebest，Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，for，indeed，Iwishyoutoloveme。butitisenoughformetoknowitinprivate。Ishouldnotfeeltheleastmorepleasureathearingitinpublic，orinhavingitmadeknowntoallmycompanions，especiallyatatimewhenitwouldgivepoorCeciliaagreatdealofpain。
Butwhyshoulditgiveherpain？askedLouisa。Idon’tlikeherforbeingjealousofyou。
Nay，Louisa，surelyyoudon’tthinkCeciliajealous？Sheonlytriestoexcel，andtoplease。sheismoreanxioustosucceedthanIam，itistrue，becauseshehasagreatdealmoreactivity，andperhapsmoreambition。Anditwouldreallymortifyhertolosethisprize——youknowthatsheproposeditherself。Ithasbeenherobjectforthismonthpast，andIamsureshehastakengreatpainstoobtainit。
But，dearLeonora，whyshouldyouloseit？
Indeed，mydear，itwouldbenolosstome。and，ifitwere，IwouldwillinglysufferitforCecilia。for，thoughweseemnottobesuchgoodfriendsasweusedtobe，Iloveherverymuch，andshewilllovemeagain——I’msureshewill。whenshenolongerfearsmeasarival，shewillagainlovemeasafriend。
HereLeonoraheardanumberofhercompanionsrunningalongthegallery。
Theyallknockedhastilyatthedoor，callingLeonora！Leonora！willyounevercome？Ceciliahasbeenwithusthishalf-hour。
Leonorasmiled。Well，Louisa，saidshe，smiling，willyoupromiseme？
Oh，Iamsure，bythewaytheyspeaktoyou，thattheywon’tgiveyoutheprize！saidthelittleLouisa，andthetearsstartedintohereyes。
Theyloveme，though，forallthat，saidLeonora。andasfortheprize，youknowwhomIwishtohaveit。
Leonora！Leonora！calledherimpatientcompanions。don’tyouhearus？
Whatareyouabout？
Oh，sheneverwilltakeanytroubleaboutanything，saidoneoftheparty。let’sgoaway。
Oh，go，go！makehaste！criedLouisa。don’tstay。theyaresoangry。
Remember，then，thatyouhavepromisedme，saidLeonora，andshelefttheroom。
Duringallthistime，Ceciliahadbeeninthegardenwithhercompanions。
Theambitionwhichshehadfelttowinthefirstprize——theprizeofsuperiortalentsandsuperiorapplication——wasnottobecomparedtotheabsoluteanxietywhichshenowexpressedtowinthissimpletestimonyoftheloveandapprobationofherequalsandrivals。
Toemployherexuberantactivity，Ceciliahadbeendraggingbranchesoflilacsandlaburnums，rosesandsweetbriar，toornamentthebowerinwhichherfatewastobedecided。Itwasexcessivelyhot，buthermindwasengaged，andshewasindefatigable。Shestoodstillatlasttoadmireherworks。Hercompanionsalljoinedinloudapplause。Theywerenotalittleprejudicedinherfavourbythegreateagernesswhichsheexpressedtowintheirprize，andbythegreatimportancewhichsheseemedtoaffixtothepreferenceofeachindividual。Atlast，WhereisLeonora？criedoneofthem。andimmediately，aswehaveseen，theyrantocallher。
Ceciliawasleftalone。Overcomewithheatandtooviolentexertion，shehadhardlystrengthtosupportherself。eachmomentappearedtoherintolerablylong。Shewasinastateoftheutmostsuspense，andallhercouragefailedher。Evenhopeforsookher。andhopeisacordialwhichleavestheminddepressedandenfeebled。
Thetimeisnowcome，saidCecilia。inafewmomentsallwillbedecided。Inafewmoments——goodness！HowmuchdoIhazard？IfIshouldnotwintheprize，howshallIconfesswhatIhavedone？HowshallIbegLeonoratoforgiveme？I，whohopedtorestoremyfriendshiptoherasanhonour！Theyaregonetoseekforher。ThemomentsheappearsI
shallbeforgotten。What——whatshallIdo？saidCecilia，coveringherfacewithherhands。
SuchwasCecilia’ssituationwhenLeonora，accompaniedbyhercompanions，openedthehalldoor。TheymostofthemranforwardstoCecilia。AsLeonoracameintothebower，sheheldoutherhandtoCecilia。Wearenotrivals，butfriends，Ihope，saidshe。Ceciliaclaspedherhand。
butshewasintoogreatagitationtospeak。
Thetablewasnowsetinthearbour——thevasewasnowplacedinthemiddle。Well！saidCecilia，eagerly，whobegins？Caroline，oneofherfriends，cameforwardfirst，andthenalltheotherssuccessively。
Cecilia’semotionwashardlyconceivable。Nowtheyareallin！Countthem，Caroline！
One，two，three，four。thenumbersarebothequal。Therewasadeadsilence。No，theyarenot，exclaimedCecilia，pressingforward，andputtingashellintoavase。Ihavenotgivenmine，andIgiveittoLeonora。Then，snatchingthebracelet，Itisyours，Leonora，saidshe。takeit，andgivemebackyourfriendship。Thewholeassemblygaveoneuniversalclapandageneralshoutofapplause。
Icannotbesurprisedatthisfromyou，Cecilia，saidLeonora。anddoyouthenstilllovemeasyouusedtodo？
Oh，Leonora，stop！don’tpraiseme。Idon’tdeservethis，saidshe，turningtoherloudlyapplaudingcompanions。Youwillsoondespiseme。
Oh，Leonora，youwillneverforgiveme！Ihavedeceivedyou。Ihavesold——
Atthisinstant，Mrs。Villarsappeared。Thecrowddivided。Shehadheardallthatpassed，fromherwindow。Iapplaudyourgenerosity，Cecilia，saidshe，butIamtotellyouthat，inthisinstanceitisunsuccessful。YouhavenotitinyourpowertogivetheprizetoLeonora。Itisyours。Ihaveanothervotetogivetoyou。YouhaveforgottenLouisa。
Louisa！exclaimedCecilia。butsurely，ma’am，LouisalovesLeonorabetterthanshedoesme。
Shecommissionedme，however，saidMrs。Villars，togiveyouaredshell。andyouwillfinditinthisbox。
Ceciliastarted，andturnedaspaleasdeath。itwasthefatalbox！
Mrs。Villarsproducedanotherbox。Sheopenedit。itcontainedtheFlora。AndLouisaalsodesiredme，saidshe，toreturntoyouthisFlora。SheputitintoCecilia’shand。Ceciliatrembledsothatshecouldnotholdit。Leonoracaughtit。
Oh，madam！Oh，Leonora！exclaimedCecilia。nowIhavenohopeleft。
Iintended——Iwasjustgoingtotell——
DearCecilia，saidLeonora，youneednottellitme。Iknowitalready。andIforgiveyouwithallmyheart。
Yes，Icanprovetoyou，saidMrs。Villars，thatLeonorahasforgivenyou。Itisshewhohasgivenyoutheprize。itwasshewhopersuadedLouisatogiveyouhervote。Iwenttoseeheralittlewhileago。andperceiving，byhercountenance，thatsomethingwasthematter，Ipressedhertotellmewhatitwas。
’Why，madam，’saidshe，’LeonorahasmademepromisetogivemyshelltoCecilia。NowIdon’tloveCeciliahalfsowellasIdoLeonora。
Besides，IwouldnothaveCeciliathinkIvoteforherbecauseshegavemeaFlora。’WhilstLouisawasspeaking，continuedMrs。Villars，Isawthissilverboxlyingonthebed。Itookitup，andaskedifitwasnotyours，andhowshecamebyit。’Indeed，madam，’saidLouisa，’IcouldhavebeenalmostcertainthatitwasCecilia’s。butLeonoragaveitme，andshesaidthatsheboughtitofthepeddlerthismorning。Ifanybodyelsehadtoldmeso，Icouldnothavebelievedthem，becauseIremembertheboxsowell。butIcan’thelpbelievingLeonora。’ButdidnotyouaskCeciliaaboutit？saidI。’No，madam，’repliedLouisa。’forLeonoraforbademe。Iguessedherreason。’Well，saidI，givemethebox，andI
willcarryyourshellinittoCecilia。’Then，madam，’saidshe，’ifI
mustgiveither，praydotaketheFlora，andreturnittoherfirst，thatshemaynotthinkitisforthatIdoit。’
Oh，generousLouisa！exclaimedCecilia。but，indeed，Leonora，Icannottakeyourshell。
Then，dearCecilia，acceptofmineinsteadofit！youcannotrefuseit。
Ionlyfollowyourexample。Asforthebracelet，addedLeonora，takingCecilia’shand，IassureyouIdon’twishforit，andyoudo，andyoudeserveit。
No，saidCecilia，indeed，Idonotdeserveit。Nexttoyou，surelyLouisadeservesitbest。
Louisa！oh，yes，Louisa，exclaimedeverybodywithonevoice。
Yes，saidMrs。Villars，andletCeciliacarrythebracelettoher。shedeservesthatreward。ForonefaultIcannotforgetallyourmerits，Cecilia，nor，Iamsure，willyourcompanions。
Then，surely，notyourbestfriend，saidLeonora，kissingher。
Everybodypresentwasmoved。TheylookeduptoLeonorawithrespectfulandaffectionateadmiration。
Oh，Leonora，howIloveyou！andhowIwishtobelikeyou！exclaimedCecilia——tobeasgood，asgenerous！
Ratherwish，Cecilia，interruptedMrs。Villars，tobeasjust。tobeasstrictlyhonourable，andasinvariablyconsistent。Remember，thatmanyofoursexarecapableofgreatefforts——ofmakingwhattheycallgreatsacrificestovirtueortofriendship。butfewtreattheirfriendswithhabitualgentleness，oruniformlyconductthemselveswithprudenceandgoodsense。
THELITTLEMERCHANTS。
CHAPTERI。
Chidigallinanasce，conviencherozole。
Astheoldcockcrows，socrowstheyoung。
ThosewhohavevisitedItalygiveusanagreeablepictureofthecheerfulindustryofthechildrenofallagesinthecelebratedcityofNaples。
TheirmanneroflivingandtheirnumerousemploymentsareexactlydescribedinthefollowingExtractfromaTraveller’sJournal。*
*VarietiesofLiterature，vol。i。p。299。
Thechildrenarebusiedinvariousways。AgreatnumberofthembringfishforsaletotownfromSantaLucia。othersareveryoftenseenaboutthearsenals，orwherevercarpentersareatwork，employedingatheringupthechipsandpiecesofwood。orbythesea-side，pickingupsticks，andwhateverelsehasdriftedashore，which，whentheirbasketisfull，theycarryaway。
Childrenoftwoorthreeyearsold，whocanscarcelycrawlalongupontheground，incompanywithboysoffiveorsix，areemployedinthisprettytrade。Hencetheyproceedwiththeirbasketsintotheheartofthecity，whereinseveralplacestheyformasortoflittlemarket，sittingroundwiththeirstockofwoodbeforethem。Labourers，andthelowerorderofcitizens，buyitofthemtoburninthetripodsforwarmingthemselves，ortouseintheirscantykitchens。
Otherchildrencarryaboutforsalethewaterofthesulphurouswells，which，particularlyinthespringseason，isdrunkingreatabundance。
Othersagainendeavourtoturnafewpencebybuyingasmallmatteroffruit，ofpressedhoney，cakes，andcomfits，andthen，likelittlepeddlers，offerandsellthemtootherchildren，alwaysfornomoreprofitthanthattheymayhavetheirshareofthemfreeofexpense。
Itisreallycurioustoseehowanurchin，whosewholestockandpropertyconsistinaboardandaknife，willcarryaboutawater-melon，orahalfroastedgourd，collectatroupofchildrenroundhim，setdownhisboard，andproceedtodividethefruitintosmallpiecesamongthem。
Thebuyerskeepasharplookouttoseethattheyhaveenoughfortheirlittlepieceofcopper。andtheLilliputiantradesmenactwithnolesscautionastheexigenciesofthecasemayrequire，topreventhisbeingcheatedoutofamorsel。
Theadvantagesoftruthandhonesty，andthevalueofacharacterforintegrity，areveryearlyfeltamongsttheselittlemerchantsintheirdailyintercoursewitheachother。Thefairdealerisalwayssoonerorlaterseentoprosper。Themostcunningcheatisatlastdetectedanddisgraced。
NumerousinstancesofthetruthofthiscommonobservationwereremarkedbymanyNeapolitanchildren，especiallybythosewhowereacquaintedwiththecharactersandhistoryofPiedroandFrancisco，twoboysoriginallyequalinbirth，fortuneandcapacity，butdifferentintheireducation，andconsequentlyintheirhabitsandconduct。Franciscowasthesonofanhonestgardener，who，fromthetimehecouldspeak，taughthimtolovetospeakthetruth，showedhimthatliarsareneverbelieved——thatcheatsandthievescannotbetrusted，andthattheshortestwaytoobtainagoodcharacteristodeserveit。
Youthandwhitepaper，astheproverbsays，takeallimpressions。Theboyprofitedmuchbyhisfather’sprecepts，andmorebyhisexample。healwaysheardhisfatherspeakthetruth，andsawthathedealtfairlywitheverybody。Inallhischildishtraffic，Francisco，imitatinghisparents，wasscrupulouslyhonest，andthereforeallhiscompanionstrustedhim——AshonestasFrancisco，becameasortofproverbamongstthem。
AshonestasFrancisco，repeatedPiedro’sfather，whenheonedayheardthissaying。Letthemsayso。Isay，’AssharpasPiedro’。andletusseewhichwillgothroughtheworldbest。WiththeideaofmakinghissonSHARPhemadehimcunning。Hetaughthim，thattomakeaGOOD
BARGAINwastodeceiveastothevalueandpriceofwhateverhewantedtodisposeof。togetasmuchmoneyaspossiblefromcustomersbytakingadvantageoftheirignoranceoroftheirconfidence。Heoftenrepeatedhisfavouriteproverb——Thebuyerhasneedofahundredeyes。thesellerhasneedbutofone。*Andhetookfrequentopportunitiesofexplainingthemeaningofthismaximtohisson。Hewasafisherman。andashisgainsdependedmoreuponfortunethanuponprudence，hetrustedhabituallytohisgoodluck。Afterbeingidleforawholeday，hewouldcasthislineorhisnets，andifhewasluckyenoughtocatchafinefish，hewouldgoandshowitintriumphtohisneighbourthegardener。
*Chicomprahabisognadicent’occhi。chivenden’haassaidiuno。
Youareobligedtoworkalldaylongforyourdailybread，hewouldsay。Lookhere。Iworkbutfiveminutes，andIhavenotonlydailybread，butdailyfish。
Upontheseoccasions，ourfishermanalwaysforgot，orneglectedtocount，thehoursanddayswhichwerewastedinwaitingforafairwindtoputtosea，oranglinginvainontheshore。
LittlePiedro，whousedtobaskinthesunuponthesea-shorebesidehisfather，andtoloungeorsleepawayhistimeinafishing-boat，acquiredhabitsofidleness，whichseemedtohisfatheroflittleconsequencewhilsthewasBUTACHILD。
WhatwillyoudowithPiedroashegrowsup，neighbour？saidthegardener。Heissmartandquickenough，butheisalwaysinmischief。
ScarcelyadayhaspassedforthisfortnightbutIhavecaughthimamongstmygrapes。Itrackhisfootstepsallovermyvineyard。
HEISBUTACHILDyet，andknowsnobetter，repliedthefisherman。
Butifyoudon’tteachhimbetternowheisachild，howwillheknowwhenheisaman？saidthegardener。
Amightynoiseaboutabunchofgrapes，truly！criedthefisherman：afewgrapesmoreorlessinyourvineyard，whatdoesitsignify？
Ispeakforyourson’ssake，andnotforthesakeofmygrapes，saidthegardener。andItellyouagain，theboywillnotdowellintheworld，neighbour，ifyoudon’tlookafterhimintime。
He’lldowellenoughintheworld，youwillfind，answeredthefisherman，carelessly。Wheneverhecastsmynets，theynevercomeupempty。’Itisbettertobeluckythanwise。’*
*Emeglioesserfortunatochesavio。
ThiswasaproverbwhichPiedrohadfrequentlyheardfromhisfather，andtowhichhemostwillinglytrusted，becauseitgavehimlesstroubletofancyhimselffortunatethantomakehimselfwise。
Comehere，child，saidhisfathertohim，whenhereturnedhomeaftertheprecedingconversationwiththegardener。howoldareyou，myboy？——
twelveyearsold，isnotit？
AsoldasFrancisco，andolderbysixmonths，saidPiedro。
Andsmarterandmoreknowingbysixyears，saidhisfather。Here，takethesefishtoNaples，andletusseehowyou’llsellthemforme。
Ventureasmallfish，astheproverbsays，tocatchagreatone。*Iwastoolatewiththematthemarketyesterday，butnobodywillknowbutwhattheyarejustfreshoutofthewater，unlessyougoandtellthem。
*Buttaunasardellaperpigliarunluccio。