صفحة 204 من 483

He was always the saddest of the group, and even to my

unpractised senses, he appeared to have suffered more deeply than

his friends. But if his countenance was more sorrowful, his voice

was more cheerful than that of his sister, especially when he

addressed the old man.

"I could mention innumerable instances which, although slight,

marked the dispositions of these amiable cottagers. In the midst

of poverty and want, Felix carried with pleasure to his sister

the first little white flower that peeped out from beneath the

snowy ground. Early in the morning, before she had risen, he

cleared away the snow that obstructed her path to the milk-house,

drew water from the well, and brought the wood from the outhouse,

where, to his perpetual astonishment, he found his store always

replenished by an invisible hand. In the day, I believe, he

worked sometimes for a neighbouring farmer, because he often went

forth and did not return until dinner, yet brought no wood with

him. At other times he worked in the garden, but as there was

little to do in the frosty season, he read to the old man and

Agatha.