"Yes, when you are here," replied Mrs. Meridith, "and when you sleep at Rosewood, Bella shall put you to bed."
"And William and John too?" asked she.
"Yes, when they sleep there she shall put them to bed likewise," replied her kind friend, fearful of hearing her flatly refuse to leave them; and not choosing to urge her suit any farther that day, she invited the whole family (not forgetting Molly and the youngest child who was to be of the party) to dine with her on the next. Nothing could be happier than the children were the whole of that day; and Mrs. Meridith, afraid of Anna's expressing any dislike to remaining with her at night, would have wished William and John to sleep there, also; but Mr. Campbell advised her otherways, as it might make her expect it another time, "and I," said he, "may have as much trouble to make my boys willing to return home, as you apprehend having to make her stay." Before it was their bed-time, he took Anna into the garden, and told her she was going to stay all night with Mrs. Meridith; and from leading her to imagine it was a very great favour, though it could not be supposed she could at present comprehend the extent of the kindness intended her, he made her very well satisfied with the change.
Molly then took the boys and the little girl home, and Bella put her new charge to bed, whom, knowing her mistress's intention towards her, she was particularly anxious to please, lest her dear lady should be vext at finding her otherwise. The novelty of the room, and her new attendant, with the pretty little bed which had been prepared for her, all took Anna's attention, and she dropt asleep without inquiring for her brothers: but it was not so with them, and old Molly, who, while undressing them, talked of nothing but little Anna, and her not coming home any more.
[CHAPTER III.]
In a short time Anna was quite reconciled to her situation, and no longer thought any place her home but Rosewood; and Mrs. Meridith, after the indulgence of a few weeks' holidays, began the plan of education she had proposed for her own children, had she not been deprived of them. But though she wished Anna should know every thing necessary to adorn the station in life she intended her to fill, she was equally anxious that she should not pride herself upon it. The little girl had already learnt her letters, and could spell a few words, and for the first two or three years of her being Mrs. Meridith's child, that lady was her only instructress. Anna was allowed to take a great deal of exercise, and her cousins were not more expert in running, driving the hoop, and such amusements than herself. All the old men who worked in the gardens rejoiced at her good fortune; they remembered her mother, and had often pitied her fate.
"Now," said they, "we wish she could see how well her child is provided for: she deserved a better husband, for there was not a prettier, nor a more industrious, clean, neat girl in all the parish; and so kind-hearted."
"Ah!" replied another, "I remember when she was but a little thing, how she came to see my poor Nancy that was ill, and cried over her, and brought her every thing which she thought she could eat! and when she died"—here the poor old man wiped a tear from his eye and could say no more. In short Anna was caressed by all the inhabitants of the village not only on her mother's account, but on Mrs. Meridith's also, who was pleased at every attention paid her "adopted daughter."