Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/239

Rh seemed at first want of feeling; she soon learned to think more justly. We have no right to expect more from others than we ourselves are inclined to give. If we were to love every one we meet, the very nature of love would be destroyed. Convenience, not affection, is the bond of society. The world is often taxed with falsehood, when, in reality, we should blame our own expectations. Courtesy from our acquaintance, kindness from our friends, attachment from those who make the small circle we love, is all we have a right to expect—and in nine cases out of ten it is what we really experience. Beatrice soon made for herself a little round of occupations. She acquired a degree of musical science; she perfected her skill in embroidery; and she assisted Sister Lucie, her first acquaintance, in the preparation of those exquisite confections which were the pride of her life. She also learned to lay aside much of her natural silence and reserve; for society, to an affectionate temper like hers, soon made her wish to be liked. It is a most unkindly nature that can rest satisfied with its own approval. But a yet higher advantage was derived from