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dislike the individual who is appointed to exercise that control. On this account prejudices should not be lightly taken up against such persons as are placed in situations of authority over the afflicted in mind.”

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"But

Very true, very true," answered Isabella. though my sister displays such extraordinary feeling for her mother, she cannot even exercise common justice towards other people. And hence she is resolutely bent upon condemning poor Burton and her sister unheard, and means to hunt these respectable old servants out of the house in order to advance her fond old nurse to the confidential station they occupy."

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Dear sister,' said Clarissa, "have I ever made a proposal of the kind? All I ask is, that I may be allowed to sleep in my mother's apartment, and assist Mrs. Burton in the care of her."

"Allowed!" said Isabella: " very humble indeed! Apply to your guardian for permission, not to me."

"I am sure," returned Clarissa, "my good uncle will never use any means to prevent my paying proper attention to my poor mother."

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Assuredly not, cousin, assuredly not," said the old gentleman.

This conversation, which I have delivered at considerable length, was interrupted by the entrance of Mrs. Burton, who, coming in smiling and courtseying, said, "Now, if you please, Miss Danzy and Miss Clarissa, the poor lady above stairs is ready to receive you. But," added she, lowering her voice, and looking important, "you must be so kind as to speak low, lest you should ruffle the dear lady; for her nerves are so exceeding delicate, that she cannot bear the smallest discomposure. I did but the other day slip my foot upon the bright floor in the antechamber; and do you know, ladies, that, from her fright and anxiety about me, lest I should be hurt, she could not sleep all night."

The word "hypocrite" and "artful woman" were upon Clarissa's tongue; but she restrained herself, and followed Mrs. Burton, who led the way ostentatiously towards her lady's room. The nurse was waiting in the hall, by Clarissa's desire. Isabella passed without noticing her courtesy, but Clarissa requested her to follow.

They now all ascended the stairs in silence to the door of the antechamber; and while Mrs. Burton unlocked it, Clarissa remarked, that she could not see occasion, as her poor mother was always attended by one person at least, why she should be locked "It does not look well for us, Mrs. Burton," she said, "or creditable, to make a lady a prisoner in her own house."

up.

"It was the doctor's order, Miss," replied Mrs. Burton, dryly.

The party now entered the inner room, the door of which was open, and were ushered into the presence of the lady, who appeared sitting gravely and sedately in an arm-chair, behind which stood Mrs. Diana.

When the ladies were introduced, she hardly lifted up her eyes, and scarcely spoke; though she started and flushed faintly on observing that one of the strangers was the same from whom she had lately received a visit of so extraordinary a nature. Isabella looked at her sister with an expression of countenance, as much as to say, "You see what a state she is in: what can be done with such a person?"

Clarissa, however, did not return the glance; but, addressing her nurse, said to her, in a low voice, "Speak to her: see if she will recognize you.'

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The nurse, being encouraged by Clarissa, stepped forward, and, courtseying, said, "My dear lady, I am come to enquire after you: it is long since I have seen you. Do you enjoy good health?"

The poor lady looked at her for a moment, and then addressed her by her name with considerable kindness: but almost instantly checking herself, she said, "You must ask Mrs. Burton about my health;" and then relapsing into a stiff, cold, formal silence, nothing further than a few monosyllables could be got from her.

"we can do

The two young ladies having sat for a few minutes looking on their afflicted parent, Isabella arose, and, stepping into the balcony, beckoned her sister. "You see the state she is in, Clarissa,” she said: nothing for her. She does not know us. enjoy every comfort of which she is capable. Let things rest as they are, I pray you. You will only expose your mother, and make yourself ridiculous by your over officiousness in this matter."

She seems to

"Sister," replied Clarissa, calmly, "I will make no change, no confusion. I will only order my bed into my mother's room, and my toilet, &c. into the antechamber, that I may be near enough to assist Mrs. Burton in her charge."

“Mrs. Burton will not like this, Clarissa.”

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Why not?" said Clarissa. "I shall not interfere with her; I shall only endeavour to assist her." "You will overthrow her authority."

"Never, when it is properly exercised." "She will never bear it, sister."

"I am sorry for it, Isabella," replied Clarissa; "because I am resolved, and no earthly power shall move me from my purpose. I am now established in my mother's room, from which I have been too long banished, and here will I take up my residence."

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Amazing obstinacy!" said Isabella.

"Mrs. Burton

will certainly leave our mother, if you provoke her." "Then let her go," returned Clarissa.

"You may

still retain her, if you have a regard for her, as your own maid or housekeeper. I shall never object to any thing you can do for her in that

way."

"But do you not know," added Isabella, in an under tone, "that, by our father's will, we are under obligation to pay Mrs. Burton one hundred pounds, and her sister fifty, on the day they leave my mother's especial service?"

"One hundred and fifty pounds!" replied Clarissa ; "I did not recollect the circumstance, though I must have heard it before. But I am glad I know it now; and, if there is the smallest difficulty on that account, I will undertake to pay the money from my own pocket."

"You are a minor, Clarissa; you cannot pay that sum."

“But I will give any security."

"You cannot give any security unknown to my un

cle."

Clarissa replied, that she had a pearl necklace with a diamond locket in her possession, which was left to her by her godmother, and which she would very gladly lay down as a pledge for the hundred and fifty pounds, provided her sister would pay the money.

Isabella had long felt a desire for this splendid necklace, which she well knew to be of greater value than the sum in question, and she accordingly expressed herself satisfied; adding, however, that she should be better pleased if poor Mrs. Burton were not disturbed.

The young ladies now returned into Mrs. Danzy's room, when Clarissa informed Mrs. Burton of her intention to assist her in attending upon her mother.

At

the same time, she gave directions to her nurse to go immediately and give orders for a couch-bed being introduced into her mother's apartment, and to see her trunks, boxes, toilet, &c. properly arranged in the antechamber.

While Clarissa was giving these orders, which she did in a clear and decided manner, Mrs. Burton and her sister stood with eyes and hands uplifted; the former, however, scarcely gave Clarissa time to finish her orders, before she burst into such a storm of rage and violence, notwithstanding all her affected concern for the nerves of her poor lady, that every one in the room stood silent with amazement. At length, having in some degree spent her indignation, she gave way to a flood of passionate tears; when, turning to Clarissa, she said, "Am I come to this, after such long and such faithful services, to be watched and suspected in this way? But I know, Miss, I very well know, that I never had your good opinion."

"It is no proof," replied Clarissa, "that you have not my good opinion, Mrs. Burton, that I desire to devote myself to the service of an afflicted parent, and that I am willing to assist you and your sister in the work of administering comfort and amusement to her."

Mrs. Burton was about to reply, when the attention of the whole party was drawn to Mrs. Danzy, who appeared to be falling from her chair in a fainting-fit.

Clarissa sprang towards her, and, supporting her on her bosom, held a smelling-bottle, which she happened to have in her pocket, to the nose of her poor mother, while she repeatedly pressed her vermillion lips against her poor pale forehead.

While thus employed, and her mind fully engaged with the dear sufferer whom she held in her arms, she was suddenly surprised to find herself quite alone; Miss

Isabella, Mrs. Burton, and Mrs. Diana, having thought it best to withdraw for the purpose of settling their own plans.

It was some time before the poor lady began to revive. She lay for several minutes motionless: at length, opening her eyes, and drawing a deep sigh, she looked up at the sweet face of her daughter; after which, raising her head from her bosom, and looking eagerly around, she said, in a low voice, "Are they all gone?'

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"Yes," replied Clarissa, "dear lady, they are all gone, and have left you with me."

"Do not speak loud," said the poor lady; "they hear all you say, even when you whisper."

"Then we will say nothing to make them angry," replied Clarissa.

"But they will be angry; they are angry," returned Mrs. Danzy. "They will tell me so when you are gone."

"But I am not going," said Clarissa: "I shall sleep in your room to-night, and you shall tell me where I shall place my bed."

"I like you

"Who are you?" asked Mrs. Danzy. very much; but I cannot think who you are." "I am your daughter," said Clarissa. "My daughter!" replied the poor lady, sighing: "no, my daughters are little children, very little children, and it is a long time since I have seen them."

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'Perhaps they are much grown then," said Clarissa : perhaps they are women now."

"No," replied the afflicted lady, "they are little children. My Clarissa is an infant, a very sweet infant : she was taken from me to be nursed, and she will be brought back again very soon. I have prepared her cradle-bed and her pillow, and she will be brought again by and by."

At this strong and most affecting proof of her mother's derangement, Clarissa could not repress her feelings, but burst into a violent flood of tears.

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Why do you weep?" said Mrs. Danzy, tenderly. "Sweet young lady, do not weep." And she took her handkerchief out, as she had once before done, to wipe away her tears. "And do you say that you will come and sleep in my room?" said she. “But I think they

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