1

A few days after this excursion, as Julia was resting
one morning after her usual ride, reposing herself on
a couch in the library, reading some favorite author,
the door suddenly opened and with out notice, Mrs Ed-
wards entered holding or rather drawing Rosa
along by the hand. Mrs Clifton started up, surprised
and confused and when she observed the condition of
the child, {wherein?} alarmed--without bonnet, shawl,
or gloves, her face and arms burnt by the sun, her hair
tangled, her frock dirty and torn, and the tears streaming
down her cheeks. Before she could enquire what
had happened to the little girl--"See", exclaimed Mrs
Edwards, "see Madam the effects of your neglect and
where do you think I picked her up? in the street, play-
ing with a parcel of little negroes and { ?}--Oh for
shame, for shame thoughtles and cruel woman, see
the effect of your vices."
"Vices! Madam, " said Julia rising and ringing the bell,
"vices! Such language suits not you to speak, or me to
hear."
The servant entering, she ordered him to take
Rosa to the nursery--their compunction she felt, on the
first sight of her child in such a condition, was lost in
the indignation she felt at the harsh language of Mrs Edwards,
and on the servants leaving the room, she composedly seated herself
and took up a book.
"This shall not await you, Mrs Clifton," said Mrs Edwards,
"whether you reply or not, you shall hear the truth. What,
will you sit for hours and days and weeks drinking in the
honied events of flattery and listening to the deceitful lies
that {pursue?} you and do you turn a deaf ear
to the honest truth, which as friend{ dones, I anes?} to tell you?"
"A friend?" said Julia scornfully--
"Yes Mrs Clifton a friend who would readily have been
excused this painful duty."
"The pain is self inflicted," replied Julia,