CONVERSATION XXVI.

THE FINE FROCK.

'LADY Coleridge is to dine here to-day,' said Isabella: 'I think, Mrs. Jane, I shall put on my thin worked muslin frock;-shall I wear my white, or my pink sash ?-Dear me! some one has taken the lace off these sleeves! I beg you will put it on again; and bring me that box with the flowers;-which of these bunches, do you think, look best in my hair? Ah! these white flowers are the most elegant ;-perhaps the roses would be more becoming ;-what do you think, Mrs. Jane?'

The little girls looked at her with astonishment; they had never heard so long a speech before about dress; nor had they been taught to desire more

for themselves, than to be neat and clean. However, as Miss Isabella continued to add one ornament after another, Mary felt a secret wish that she could have the same: Harriet cared nothing about it, for she was nearly nine years old, and had learned from experience, that a simple dress was the most convenient. She had done all that was necessary for herself; after which, she tied Lucy's frock, brushed her hair, and led her down to the pleasant drawing-room, the windows of which opened on the lawn. Harriet and Lucy seeing a garden-chair near the window, went out and seated themselves among beautiful shrubs and flowers, where Charles soon joined them, and assisted them in examining these lovely productions of an Almighty and beneficent Creator.

We shall leave them employed in this rational and delightful manner, and return to Mary, who continued to gaze at

Isabella with a feeling to which before this she had been a stranger.

'Dear me, child,' said Isabella, ' are you going to wear that plain white frock and muslin sash; and Lady Coleridge to be here?'

Mary looked ashamed, and said that was the kind of frock her mamma chose for her.

'I am glad I have not such a mamma; -truly I should be ashamed to appear in company with that plain dress. Pray Mrs. Jane pull my sash tighter;-now settle this sleeve; there,-that will do. I shall now go to the drawing-room.'

Aunt Fanny came to look for the little girls just as Isabella left the room: Mary was standing, her eyes so fixed on the splendid dress of the little Isabella, that she did not observe her aunt; but, turning away as the beautiful trimmed frock disappeared from her sight, she burst into tears.

"What is the matter with you, my

dear Mary' said aunt Fanny; are you not well, my love?'

Mary felt both ashamed and sorry ;she did not answer her aunt's question: her kind aunt then sat down, and held out her hand for the little girl.

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Something distresses you, my dear,' she said; Pray tell me the cause of your uneasiness, and, if possible, I will remove it.'

This kindness brought Mary to her recollection; former happy scenes passed before her; she ran to her aunt, hid her face on her shoulder, and said, 'Indeed, aunt Fanny, I am ashamed to tell you what made me so sorry;-I wished for as fine a dress as Miss Isabella's.'

You know, my dear Mary, your mamma has always told you to observe and think; do so at present;-observe Isabella; if you find her dress makes her happier, you will then be right in wishing for it, and I am certain in that case your mamma will gladly allow you

to have the same, as she most earnestly desires your happiness. Come now, my dear, it is time to go down stairs.'

When they came to the drawingroom, Mary saw Miss Isabella standing before a large pier glass, so much engaged in examining her dress that she did not immediately see them. After a few moments she turned away, and placed herself very carefully on a chair. Mary just then observed the happy group on the lawn, and she asked aunt Fanny if she might join her young friends. Her aunt took her hand, and they were soon all seated under the pleasant shade of a lime tree, round which a rustic seat had been fixed.

'What a pleasant shade,' said Mary : listen to the buz of bees: O what a great number are flying about this tree.'

'I think bees are always fond of lime trees,' replied Charles; 'I suppose they get honey from them.'

'Yes, I think so,' said aunt Fanny :