Mary Seaham, Volume I by Mrs. Grey — Read

Oh! she is guileless as the birds / That sing beside the summer brooks; / With music in her gentle words, / With magic in her winsome looks; / With kindness like a noiseless spring / That faileth ne'er in heat or cold; / With fancy like the wild dove's wing, / As innocent as it is bold. / WORDSWORTH.

Fortunately for Mary Seaham's health and spirits, the following day, she / was troubled with no more such bewildering dreams throughout the / remainder of that night, and when the bright sun streamed in upon her / through the window, thrown open by her maid, she woke up cheerful and / refreshed. Accustomed at home to early rising, she found herself on / going down stairs -- though it was later than her usual hour -- the only one / of the party who seemed to have made their appearance. Hearing, however, / children's voices on the lawn, looking from the window of the / breakfast-room which she had entered, she stepped forth, and seeing the / little boy and girl sporting amongst the flowers, she made a more / successful attempt upon their notice than she had done on a previous / occasion. Attracted by her sweet looks, her gentle youthful manner and / appearance, the little people soon accorded to her their full confidence / and favour, and gambolled in her path or led her by the hand to point / out some gay butterfly or beautiful flower, with the same reliance and / satisfaction as they would have bestowed upon a new playfellow or / long-established friend, whilst --