Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/270

264 waltz, it was the last that she had ever danced, she had seen little Emmeline Elphinstone dance it that very day which had ended so unfortunately to herself.

"I should have come to see her," thought Fanny; and she felt the neglect of her former protegé more keenly than all the privations which she was now enduring.

Yet it was a hard trial for any young girl, to sit by herself in that gloomy school room, hearing the gaiety so near! poor Fanny could not help conjuring up the scene to herself, the lights, the flowers, and the dancers.

With the over sensitiveness of a singularly affectionate heart, it seemed as if the natural regret were selfish. She would not repine at any sacrifice made for the sake of her mother and sister. How long it was since they had met! "Ah," exclaimed Fanny "if we could but have lived on in our little cottage, how happy we should have been. My own little Edith, when shall I see you again!" The tears that had been