EMILY'S REWARD.

66

CHAPTER I.

Well, Emily, I must say this French note of yours is very prettily written, with due attention to grammar, spelling, and, so far as I can judge, to idiom also; it does great credit, both to your own industry, and that of Miss Hanson, your governess."

The eyes of the little girl, to whom these words were addressed by a tender father deeply interested in the improvement of his children, sparkled with delight; but she had not time to express the pleasure she felt, before Mr. Egerton added, as addressing her mamma,

"I really think, my dear, we must reward this good little girl by taking her to Paris during the holiday month, when Charles is at liberty to enjoy the trip. What do you say to that, Emily?"

B

"Oh, papa! dear papa! I don't know what to say; I am so pleased, and so much obliged!" and, to render her thanks more effectual, Emily darted into her father's arms, and kissed him fondly.

In another moment, she inquired if she might write to Charles, and tell him the good news? But, as she spoke, a shade of sorrow stole over her countenance, and she added, "I suppose nothing must be said about our journey to poor Frederick Molesworth?”

"Why should you suppose so?" said her mamma. "I am sure, neither your papa nor myself ever thought of abridging the dear boy's pleasures: and we have never known one who deserved them more.

"The other day, you know, mamma, Mr. Williams wanted to sell papa a young horse for Frederick, which he thought would be just the thing for him, when he should give over school; and papa looked very sorrowful, and said, Frederick's property was in Chancery, and he could not venture on any such purchases; in fact, he could not be too guarded on points of expense.' I did not

know exactly what it meant; but I did know that he was likely to lose his fortune, for he told Charles and me so, and we were grieved very much; so I thought—I feared -he must not go with us."

Emily's lip trembled, and the tears stood in her eyes as she spoke; but Mr. Egerton, taking her hand, drew her towards him, and said gravely, yet cheeringly,

"As Frederick's guardian, Emily, I could not allow him to become the possessor of the horse in question, my dear, because it is a painful fact that the bulk of his fortune is dependent on a law-suit. But this trip to Paris is my treat to you all; and none of us could feel half the pleasure we have a right to expect, were we to leave one behind so dear to us all as Frederick is; therefore, you must tell them both. You may add, if you please, that I shall not take my own carriage; and I expect the boys to rough it with me in the cabriolet of a French diligence. Yourself, mamma, and her maid will go in the coupé, which is very comfortable."

With all the hilarity of that happy season of life," when the tear is forgotten as soon as shed," away ran Emily to her governess in the first place, to tell the good news, which was also communicated to a little brother and sister, then taking their lessons; and next, to find the writing materials, which should convey it to the two young gentlemen so deeply interested in the affair. We must leave to the imaginations of our young readers the surprise and pleasure they both experienced, though the characters of the two boys were essentially dif ferent.

Frederick Molesworth, who was more than a year older than Charles Egerton, had had the great misfortune of losing both his parents some years before; yet within such a period of his early life that they could be remembered, and, of course, regretted. This circumstance had thrown an air of seriousness over his countenance and manners, not common to a boy in his fifteenth year. But it was not one of dejection; for he had found so much kindness and happiness in the family