[CHAPTER I.]
FIRELIGHT.
"ADA, my dear, you will spoil your eyes if you attempt to read by firelight."
The girl addressed looked up from her book into her mother's face, but answered absently, without moving:
"This fire gives such a good light, mamma! And it is so comfortable sitting here."
"It is, dear; but you will find, when you have to rouse yourself at tea-time, that you are cold and cross, and not at all fit to take your part in everything cheerfully."
Ada looked incredulous, but yielded to her mother's wish, and drew nearer the table, where a shaded lamp was casting a bright and pleasant light.
"It is so much nicer to do as one likes," she said, drawing her shoulders together and shivering slightly.
"Yes, at the time," answered Mrs. Arundel, quietly.
"People always forget," continued Ada, "that they used to like such things when they were young."