Tfjgi. letter from Isabella to Albert. 279 



this occasion, vou would have been delighted " One 



attention begets another, — as one neglect is the 

 fruitful source of manj other disohligin£f acts of un- 

 kindnefs, which are the cause of much domestic 

 misery." 



I could not help being struck with these remarks, 

 which I found had not occurred to Mrs D. now for 

 the first time ; for her whole conduct discovers that 

 fhe has been actuated on every occasion by these 

 principles ; and fhe is herself a living example of 

 the justnefs of her own maxims. I tried to make 

 some acknowledgements for her goodnefs, for speak- 

 ing so kindly to me. — She smiled at my aukward 

 efforts, — for my mind was so imprefsed with a con- 

 viction that llie would perceive I had her own con- 

 duct in my eye, that I stammered, and hesitated at 

 every word. — She hastened to relieve me. 



*' You would surely like, my dear, to be beauti- 

 ful," said fhe in a more lively manner ; " and what 

 wbuld you give if I fliould teach you the secret of be- 

 coming so ?" ' That would be a discovery indeed,' said 

 I, recovering myself. *' Believe me," said flie, " it is 

 not such a difficult thing as many persons imagine. I 

 cannot indeed teach you how to acquire the nicest sym- 

 metry of features ; or those delicate tints that prodi'.ce 

 universal admiration. These are gifts that bountiful 

 nature alone can bestow ; but there is a charm, supe- 

 rior far to any thing that these can give, that it 

 is in the power of every young woman to acquire. 

 But my dear," said fhe, gently patting my head, as I 

 sat in silent atteition beside her, " it is now time 

 to walk ; — go, my dears, and diver.t yourselves toge- 



