170 THE VILLAGE GIRL. 



while they regarded her with a species of blind reverence very 

 flattering to her vanity. But her only son, the " cousin Harry" 

 of Kate's early reminiscences, was far more impracticable than 

 his sisters. He had fine talents and studious habits ; but there 

 had always been so many restrictions on his freedom of will 

 in boyhood, that he learned to look with perfect hatred upon 

 every thing which seemed like a fetter to his spirit. His mother 

 was ambitious, and the wish to see Harry occupying a con- 

 spicuous station in society, either as the wisest or the richest of 

 his associates, had been cherished ever since his infancy. But 

 Harry had imbibed so thorough a dislike of all unnecessary 

 restraints, and had learned so well to love the liberty of thought 

 and action which he now enjoyed, that he had no idea of putting 

 himself into the trammels either of a professional or mercantile 

 life. The decided bent of his genius was artistic ; he had the 

 eye and hand which could embody visions of beauty upon the 

 glowing canvass ; and as his competent fortune enabled him 

 to consult his own wishes in the matter, he resolved to devote 

 himself to the art which he loved. His mother, however, had 

 no sympathy with such tastes. To her a painter was a painter, 

 whether he daubed signs, or depicted forms of breathing 

 loveliness, and she was mortified beyond measure. 



Kate Lisbourne was not likely to be very happy in such a 

 household. At first her grief so subdued her natural vivacity 

 that there was little to blame except her ignorance and her 

 disregard of etiquette ; but these were great grievances to Mrs. 

 Leighton, and she determined to educate the untamed girl to 

 suit her own standard of propriety. She first undertook to 



