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THE TWIN SISTERS.
71


The next day they drove to Mrs. Dalrymple's. A winding road, through a small plantation of young limes, led them to the house, a light modern building rather convenient than large. The portico was filled with plants, whose graceful arrangement bespoke that fine taste and eye ſor blended colours which shows that the task has been a pleasure. I believe the love of flowers to be as inherent in the disposition as any other inclination. Nothing could be more cheerful than the sitting-room into which they were shown. Mrs. Dalrymple was surrounded by her own youngest daughters and eldest grand-children, all employed, down to the little creature who sat at her feet engaged with a box of ivory letters. Conversation was soon begun and easily maintained, for though quiet and rather retiring, there was a general ease of manner, as by a look or a kind word, Mrs. Dalrymple was always ready to encourage the modest question or intelligent remark of the young people around her.

Mr. Dalton, intelligent though reserved, appre-