2

and happiness, where those on whom she had once looked down, might
now look down on her, and where the dependence on old neighbours
would continually remind her of the days of her equality.
Several cold stormy days, had kept her at home,
and prevented a continuation of her researches. The snow covered
the ground and made the way across the commons wholly im-
passable. Thus unavoidably confined to Richard's narrow hearth,
Lucy had patiently to bear with Becky's ill-humour, and to
eat the morsel grudged her by the half-starved children. She was
often tempted to refuse sharing in their scanty meal; but a look
at her poor babe who depended for its life, on her life, induced her to take