"Papa would never have consented, if you had advised him not, and you, you must think me as wicked as aunt Augusta does;" and the tears she had checked now burst violently forth anew.
"You mistake me, my love, quite mistake me; it is not because I believe you are not fitted to associate with your domestic circle.

I believe if she were but properly encouraged, my little Lilla would add much to the comfort of both her parents; and I do not at all despair of seeing that the case.

But at present I must advise your leaving home for a few years, because I really do think it would add much to your happiness." "Happiness!" repeated Lilla, in an accent of extreme surprise.

"School bring happiness ?" "Are you happy at home, my love?
is not your life at present one continued scene of wretchedness?
What is it that you so much dislike in the idea of school ?" "The control, the subordination, the irksome formula of lessons, prim governesses, satirical scholars." Neither Mrs.Hamilton nor Ellen could prevent a smile.
"If such things are all you dread, my dear, I have no fear of soon overcoming them," the former said, playfully.

"I will do all I can to persuade your father not to send you to a large fashionable seminary, where such things may be the case; but I know a lady who lives at Hampstead, and under whose kind guidance I am sure you will be happy, much more so than you are now.