Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/195

 the subordinate situation in which she had been placed, as a school in which it was intended that she should learn the important lesson of humility; and when she looked back, it was for the purpose of enquiring, how she had fulfilled the duties of the lot assigned her.

She was now for the first time in her life, completely her own mistress; but she was already sensible, that the idea of a life completely independent of the will of others is merely visionary, and that in all situations, some portion of one's own will must necessarily be sacrificed. She saw that the more nearly people approached each other in their habits and opinions, the less would the sacrifice be felt; but while she entertained a hope of being able to do more good in her present situation than she could in any other, she resolved to remain where she was. "Surely," said she to herself, "I must be of some use to the children of these good people. They are ill brought up, but they do not seem