284 THE VICARAGE. 



Within a mother's bosom, sages tell, 

 Doth all unseen a pitying spirit dwell, 



To whom young hearts are giv'n in sway. 

 Who with love's gentle might resistless draws 

 Their weak will to obey her equal laws ; 



Then happiest when they lovingly obey. 



" Well/' said Lucy, " I hope he is not too much 

 of a poet and philosopher to be unable to dance, 

 for a dance we must have while Henry is with us. 

 You know, Papa, that I am now seventeen, and 

 yet I have hardly ever danced except with my 

 sisters." As she said this they came in sight of 

 the vicarage, and on the lawn before it she saw 

 her mother and sister walking with two gentle- 

 men. " I do believe," exclaimed Lucy, "that 

 Henry is arrived, and his friend with him ; and 

 now we shall soon see what sort of a person he is. 

 They are coming to meet us," and off she bounded, 

 and was soon embraced by her brother, and pre- 

 sented to his companion. 



Davenport was certainly not handsome. He 

 had, however, the appearance of a gentleman 

 combined with that of a studious man ; and he 

 had a countenance of much thought, except when 

 it was lighted up with a smile, which was fre- 

 quently the case. He had attached himself to 

 the side of the Vicar's eldest daughter, Mary (a 

 name we love), as if he had perceived at once the 

 gentleness and meekness of her character. Mary 



