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236 so quickly since morning. Now she had neither duties nor resources. The Breviary, or the Lives of the Saints, were very unattractive reading. Her naturally grave temper revolted from the small amusements of the nuns, who were such grown-up children, that confidence was impossible between them. Fortunately, Beatrice had never been accustomed to that indulgence which is certain to make the object suppose that all tastes and habits ought to give way to its own. Her early lessons of doing for the best, in circumstances she could not control, were now learned under a new form. Her residence at St. Valerie had a softening and subduing effect upon her character. As yet she had acted under some strong excitement; she was now taught the necessity of action, whose reward was in its own exertion. She saw her companions happy in frivolous pursuits; she did not pretend that she could be happy also, but she drew from it a useful moral of the advantage of being employed. Observation, with no one to whom it could be communicated, induced the habit of reflection. For the first time she was in society whose members were indifferent, but kind. Accustomed to be loved, and to love, this general