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CHAPTER XXXIV.

"Love, which proclaims the human, bids thee know
A truth more lofty in thy lowliest hour
Than shallow glory taught to human power,—
What's human is immortal!"


June came again,—June with its wealth of roses and lovely green, its clear skies and breezy nights, bringing scarcely less of joy and gladness, beauty and song to the outward world than to the loving and happy spirits of Orange Grove. The whole family were planning an excursion to the sea-side during a few weeks of the hottest season, which promised quite a change for them, as they rarely felt any inducement strong enough to tempt them away from their own pleasant home. Lilly appeared to feel the most care of any one about going, and really looked quite sad at the thought of leaving the two little kittens and the rabbit, whose frolics together amused her for hours, and sometimes caused her to be quite noisy as she clapped her hands and shouted at the retaliation of old puss if they unceremoniously broke in upon her meditations when not disposed to join in their levity, though she said she thought it was a prettier sight to see her play with them. Then who would keep the chickens, also her pets, out of her garden, which had received quite an addition to its former dimensions, in fulfillment of a promise her