was well punished for my weakness and folly. It occurred at a time when there were in my family two

irl days; and knew little of her character. Her mother I had always esteemed as a right-thinking, true-hearted woman. I was much p

n the habit of sitting,-"we must sew for dear life until dinner time, so as to finish these two frocks for the children to wear this evening. It isn't right, I know,

en employed. And, besides, it's only fair that I should sew for you i

f my niece had been highly cultivated; that her tastes were refined, and her moral

es that evening, to which the children were invited; and we were at wor

o do. It would require the most diligent application, through every moment of time that intervened until the dinner ho

out the hour of

a that it was so late. How sl

s moment th

g," said I, as I let my hands fall in my lap. I thought h

nnot see any one

om the kitchen, and I very naturally passed quickly to t

he visitor might be a person to whom such an excuse for not appearing would seem unkind, or be an offence. In this unce

ny one asks to see me," came in

k that I had instructed my servant

with a knowing leer, that produced an instant sense

age to do this. That I had lowered myself in her estimation, I felt certain. I heard the street

nctly on my ears, causing the flush

closing of the vestibule door, and Mary retu

?" I enquired, as

t? Sure, and I've forgott

selves of some message they wished to leave, and, re-opening the vestibule door, left a-jar by Mary, followed her along the passage to th

murt

very graceful attitude, a couple of l

ould have least desired to witness in me such a fault as the one of which I had been guilty. For a little wh

sed to see you. Take chairs. My niece, Mrs. Williams

th a quiet smile, and an air of self-possession. "Pardon this

he fact is, we are working for dear life, to get the children ready

mestic (I had forgotten it at the door) that my sister expected to leave for her h

"very happy. Do come in and sit down for a l

making matters worse. It placed me in a false and despicable light before my

replied my visito

e with shame, mortification, confusion,

e of my niece. I shall not soon forget the expression of surprise and pain that was in her fair young countenance. I had uttered a falsehood in her presence, and thus do

umstance. I never was guilty of that thing before-never! And well have I been punished for my thoughtless folly I spoke from impulse, and n

ntil her eyes filled with tears. Then

e cannot see any one who c

s my first offence against truth, and yo

was m

before. I felt this change keenly. I had wronged myself in their good opinion; and could no

id recollection came up before my mind of what