coaxing attitude. "I shall become the saddest mope in the world if I am cooped up here." 

 "I apprehend small danger of that," returned her father, laughing, "for you have appeared to me, since our last return, a wilder romp than ever before." 

 "O, that's only because I'm so glad to get to this delightful place again, and to know we are to go away no more!" said she. "It will wear off after a while, and I shall become silent and solemn as a nun. Won't you let me go to the seminary just one term? I can still take my music lessons of Mrs. Sayles here at home, and I know my French and Italian masters would like a respite from their duties." She stood looking earnestly in her father's face. 

 "You smooth the way very well, my little daughter," said he, patting her rosy cheek; "but I incline to think you had better continue your studies in the old way." 

 Florence looked disappointed, and turned slowly from his side. Her dejected appearance touched his affectionate heart, and he called her back. She came bounding toward him, with new hope dancing in her dark liquid eyes. 

 "If you can obtain your mother's consent," said he, "I will not object to your attending school at the seminary one term, as you seem so much to desire it." 

 "O, thank you, thank you, dear father!" exclaimed the glad girl, putting her arms round his neck, and giving him a grateful kiss on either cheek, "and may I commence to-morrow? that is, if mamma consents to my going?" 

 "To-morrow?" said he, "had you not better wait, as this term is so far advanced, and commence with a new one?" 

 "O, no!" returned she, "I should rather begin at once." 

 "Well, go in, little Miss Rattle, and see what your sage mamma says on the subject," said her father, smiling at her earnest countenance. 

 Away went Florence, with the lightness of a bird up the hall stairs, and, giving a light tap at a closed door, stood dancing softly on tip-toe, as she waited a summons to enter. "Who's there?" asked a low, trembling voice at length. 

 "Me, mamma," answered Florence; "may I come in? I've something to ask you." 

 The door was opened by a short, thin woman, of dark complexion, small peering black eyes, and slick, shining hair of the same hue, which 

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