"Meta has been making a drawing for her papa, and is framing it in leather-work.

Have you ever seen any ?" "Never!" and Norman looked eagerly, asking questions, and watching while Miss Rivers cut out her ivy leaf and marked its veins, and showed how she copied it from nature.

He thanked her, saying, "I wanted to learn all about it, for I thought it would be such nice work for my eldest sister." A glance of earnest interest from little Meta's bright eyes at her governess, and Mrs.Larpent, in a kind, soft tone that quite gained his heart, asked, "Is she the invalid ?" "Yes," said Norman.

"New fancy work is a great gain to her." Mrs.Larpent's sympathetic questions, and Meta's softening eyes, gradually drew from him a great deal about Margaret's helpless state, and her patience, and capabilities, and how every one came to her with all their cares; and Norman, as he spoke, mentally contrasted the life, untouched by trouble and care, led by the fair girl before him, with that atmosphere of constant petty anxieties round her namesake's couch, at years so nearly the same.
"How very good she must be," said little Meta, quickly and softly; and a tear was sparkling on her eyelashes.
"She is indeed," said Norman earnestly.

"I don't know what papa would do but for her." Mrs.Larpent asked kind questions whether his father's arm was very painful, and the hopes of its cure; and he felt as if she was a great friend already.