was holding a rye loaf in her hand, and was cutting slices for the
little ones all around, in proportion to their age and appetite.
She performed her task in a graceful and affectionate manner; each
claimant awaiting his turn with outstretched hands, and boisterously
shouting his thanks. Some of them ran away at once, to enjoy their
evening meal; whilst others, of a gentler disposition, retired to
the courtyard to see the strangers, and to survey the carriage in
which their Charlotte was to drive away. "Pray forgive me for
giving you the trouble to come for me, and for keeping the ladies
waiting: but dressing, and arranging some household duties before
I leave, had made me forget my children's supper; and they do not
like to take it from any one but me." I uttered some indifferent
compliment: but my whole soul was absorbed by her air, her voice,
her manner; and I had scarcely recovered myself when she ran into
her room to fetch her gloves and fan. The young ones threw inquiring
glances at me from a distance; whilst I approached the youngest,
a most delicious little creature. He drew back; and Charlotte,
entering at the very moment, said, "Louis, shake hands with your
cousin." The little fellow obeyed willingly; and I could not
resist giving him a hearty kiss, notwithstanding his rather dirty
face. "Cousin," said I to Charlotte, as I handed her down, "do
you think I deserve the happiness of being related to you?" She
replied, with a ready smile, "Oh! I have such a number of cousins,
that I should be sorry if you were the most undeserving of them."
In taking leave, she desired her next sister, Sophy, a girl about
eleven years old, to take great care of the children, and to say
good-bye to papa for her when he came home from his ride. She
enjoined to the little ones to obey their sister Sophy as they
would herself, upon which some promised that they would; but a
little fair-haired girl, about six years old, looked discontented,