This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

her, and gave rise to various trifling attentions which overcame in a great measure her timidity towards them all, except Rosalind, whom she regarded as a kind of superior being.

She was indeed quite a curiosity to that scrutinizing little personage, which Amelia had tact enough to perceive, knowing very well she was not what she ought to he, and was therefore exceedingly shy of her. Once, being sent there of an errand, she saw a large Newfoundland dog eating from the same dish with a cat, the result of Rosalind's untiring efforts to make them friends from the moment her father introduced the noble looking animal who received no small share of her attention, as she tested him in every possible way to see if he was cross or good natured, and great was her self congratulation for her wonderful achievement, when she saw them sleeping quietly side by side and eating together in the greatest harmony.

Amelia was not accustomed to such scenes of peaceable companionship, which excited her wonder in the highest degree. Seeing Mr. Claremont standing in the door, she ran towards him with unusual animation, saying, "There's a dog and a cat eatin' out of the same scoop, I seed 'em with my own eyes, I did." This quaint exclamation excited the mirthfulness of Rosalind, who was within hearing and burst into a loud laugh.

The timid child shrunk into her herself again, and nothing could induce her to speak another word until she was gone.

Mrs. Crawford was now reduced to extreme pov-