CHAPTER IV. The snow-white lily of the vale, The wild rose blushes in the dale, "The moss my couch," my covering dew, My song the wild dove's anthem true, But, ah! why do I thus forget "Be firm," and to thy God submit- I will, I will, thou spirit dear; And to my orphan heart appear, My young reader may now view the orphan cottager, the surviving branch of my beautiful wreath from Jessamine lawn, in her new station, a member of a popular female seminary, where she is surrounded with advantages, that in a worldly point of view required no addition. Five talented and highly qualified teachers were devoted to the service of a large company of young females, brought from different places in England, Scotland, and even Ireland, to be polished for high life, or prepared to fill the important office of teachers in future life. And do you wish to know how Mary sustained herself in this novel situation? I will tell you. In the first place I shall remark, that she had just entered on her fifteenth year. It is the age of bashfulness, whose reign is noted for blushes and blunders, and requires a steady judicious hand to sway its sceptre, and patient tender sympathy to encourage the feelings that are easily won by a beloved mother, an affectionate aunt, or a mild and faithful governess and friend. Mary's disposition was like her mother's, "timorous as the gentle fawn, that retreats even from human gaze;" and on the present occasion, her native diffidence was on the vortex, that confuses the head and pains a gentle bosom, sensitively alive to desires to please, by propriety and decorum of behavior and manners. No wonder that a scene so entirely new and strange, should embarrass the mind of a humblo cottage girl, as was Mary Armly. She took possession, however, of the seat assigned her by Mrs. Elderoy; and that lady anticipating the ordeal that awaited her, selected the most retired one in the apartment, and as she gave her an easy lesson in geography-observed, that she should not require the recitation till to-morrow, as she had just entered the school. Poor Mary's hand trembled to such a degree, that she could scarcely hold her book. The pale rose color upon her cheek was heightened to vermilion hue; and moistened by a falling tear, that fell upon the book, seeming to say, I will mingle with thy studies as well as thy prayers. Mrs. Elderoy's eye was frequently directed toward the young stranger; and at the time of recess, she called upon her eldest daughter, Elizabeth Frances Elderoy, to attend the young orphan to mummy Deborah's room, and whispered to Mary, that she need not return to school till after dinner. "I have learned my task, ma'am, said the trembling girl, in a low and mournful voice." "Is it possible, cried the governess! Why, my sweet girl, this is more than I expected of you, on the first morning of your entrance to a strange scene. Well-my daughter will hear you recite in her nurse's apartment, my love." This kind address had a very happy effect on Mary; and she took Elizabeth's proffered hand with a confidence of meeting with the same kindness from her. Nor was she disappointed. Elizabeth was a girl of sweet disposition and manners, and was about the same age of Mary Armly. She pitied the diffident orphan, and received with generous pleasure the command of her beloved mother, to attend the stranger to her nurse's room, to whom she paid the devotion of a respectful grandchild. "You will love mummy Deborah, Miss Armly; said the kind hearted young lady—she is a charming old creature-very pious, and very, very humane." "My name is Mary, Miss, said the artless cottage girl." "Well, my dear, rejoined the other, smiling at this native simplicity in her new acquaintance, I will call you by that sweet name, when we are alone, if you wish it; but the laws of this seminary interdict such amiable simplicity in school and at meals-when there are two or three members from one family who are sisters, the distinguishing line between them is made by numbers, as No. 1, Miss &c. Mamma has but one method in this matter with her nobility and plebian pupils― high titled females are in this respect placed on a par with yourself, a sweet little cottager." "I am not sweet, dear Miss, said Mary, I am only a poor little cottager." "But you will allow me to judge for myself, will you not? replied the young lady, smiling again; and opening the door of mummy Deborah's room, she said, here is Mary Armly, mummy, the orphan whose father you so highly respected for his eminent piety. Mamma desired me to introduce her to you, and to hear her recitation in geography in your room." That's well, my darling, replied a venerable looking old woman, who sat in a large arm chair, by a window, with a plain mob cap on her snowwhite head, and one hand muffled in crimson flannel. Come here, little friend, and give me thy hand. I am truly pleased to see the "little Mary," I have heard thy honored father speak of; and then looking at our orphan through her spectacles, the old pilgrim exclaimed, "his eyes, his nose, his mouth to the very life-what a likeness-yea, my love, this pet lamb of mine, her mother's first-born, said truly, in regard to my feclings toward thy father. Ah! he was a righteous man. "The law of truth was in his mouth; and iniquity was not found in his lips: upon his tongue rested divine |