THE MOTHS OF THE BANNERS. 



Ill 



" And that will be, sister," returned the other, " until to- 

 morrow's dawn, when you and it together will be trampled into 

 dust. But do as you like best, and so farewell, for ever, 

 unless, before too late, thou seest thy folly." So saying, the 

 speaker flew up, and settled upon the new standard. 



Next morning, when the workmen, returning to the chapel, 

 proceeded to sweep away the trampled tatters of the old 

 Banner, they dislodged its sole remaining occupant; and the 

 proud and high-born Moth, after a few irresolute flutters, joined 

 her less pretending sister. 



The ruin of the new Banner forthwith commenced, and so 



it soon proved with the house of A . Strengthened for 



awhile by admixture of cotton yarn, and reburnished by plebeian 

 gold, that noble line soon began to exhibit symptoms of decay ; 

 for with it there still continued to exist the old consuming 

 principles, pride of birth and pride of show, which are repre- 

 sented by the Moths of the Banners. 



I 



tmgtrtb 



