Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/138

 to foster the best affections of the heart, not the indulgence of the passions, which engenders pride and selfishness."

"Your distinction is a just one," said Mr Stewart, "but unhappily her grandmother could not discriminate; and after the death of my parents, Bell came home to us, when I saw that she was too unmanageable for her mother's gentle spirit to controul; and I therefore urged sending her to a school, where a daughter of a friend was going; but there, alas! instead of getting quit of her bad habits, she lost the good that counterbalanced them, and acquired such a love of dress, and so many foolish notions about gentility, as have utterly detroyed all relish for domestic happiness. Think of her flying off as she has done, the very day that we expect her brothers home from school! Is it not heartless?"

"So she will admit when she is herself a mother," replied Mrs Mason.—The rest of her speech was lost; for from the bark of