Bless me, said I to myself, what a sister have I!--How have I deserved
this?

Then I again regretted my grandfather's too distinguishing goodness to
me.


FEB. 25, IN THE EVENING.


What my brother and sister have said against me I cannot tell:--but I
am in heavy disgrace with my father.

I was sent for down to tea. I went with a very cheerful aspect: but
had occasion soon to change it.

Such a solemnity in every body's countenance!--My mother's eyes were
fixed upon the tea-cups; and when she looked up, it was heavily, as if
her eye-lids had weights upon them; and then not to me. My father sat
half-aside in his elbow-chair, that his head might be turned from me:
his hands clasped, and waving, as it were, up and down; his fingers,
poor dear gentleman! in motion, as if angry to the very ends of them.
My sister was swelling. My brother looked at me with scorn, having
measured me, as I may say, with his eyes as I entered, from head to
foot. My aunt was there, and looked upon me as if with kindness
restrained, bending coldly to my compliment to her as she sat; and
then cast an eye first on my brother, then on my sister, as if to give
the reason [so I am willing to construe it] of her unusual stiffness.-
-Bless me, my dear! that they should choose to intimidate rather than
invite a mind, till now, not thought either unpersuadable or