Anna replied that her whole desire was to live as she hitherto had done, and to follow the example of her kind friend in every thing. "If indeed, my dear mamma, you intend me the privilege of standing in your place hereafter," said she, "what ought I to be! and how far short shall I fall of your goodness! It was that alone which first made you think of me; and whatever I am, all I have and know I owe to your kindness. Oh! continue to me your instruction and advice, that I may become more and more like you."
The winter was now fast advancing, but Mrs. Meridith would not leave Rosewood before Christmas, that she might enjoy the festivity of the season with her poor neighbours, who were fed and clothed as usual. On Christmas and New Year's day, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, and all their children dined at Rosewood; and on the evening of twelfth-day, the three elder girls with William and John, and a younger brother about nine years of age, were again invited to partake of a cake. It was Anna's treat to them, and they amused themselves by singing, dancing, or whatever she thought most agreeable to her younger cousins, who never visited her except at these times, and on her's and Mrs. Meridith's birth-day, which both happened in the summer months, lest, as their father said, "it should make them dissatisfied with their situation at home," where they were constantly engaged in domestic affairs. The eldest managed the dairy, under the direction of her mother; and the youngest the poultry; and the care of the needle-work for her brothers, and the younger children, chiefly devolved upon the second girl, who used regularly to bring what wanted mending to her mother, and after receiving her directions, supply her sisters and the female servants with work. Mrs. Campbell had two other boys, who supplied the place of William and John, at school, and there was a little boy and girl still younger at home.
After Christmas, John, having been introduced to Mr. Mansell, and all preliminaries settled, removed to his house, and it was agreed on that he should board with that gentleman; and in a few days after, Mrs. Meridith and Anna, with Syphax and Bella, and little Betty, with the other servants, went into a ready-furnished house for the winter, determined to be sociable with the inhabitants, and to be pleased with all that was intended to please them. The estate which Mrs. Meridith possessed in the neighbourhood made her of consequence in L—, and the most respectable families made a point of calling on her after her arrival; and when they had been only one week in the town, Anna was surprised to find they were engaged every evening. Mrs. Meridith attended the balls with her, which were once a fortnight; and several private dances were given at different houses, where Anna was never in want of a partner. Mrs. Meridith's patronage was enough to bring her into notice; and had she not a mind well stored with antidotes against it, and the repeated cautions of her kind uncle, not to be imposed on by their adulation, poor Anna would have been in danger of losing all her steadiness of mind, and the humble opinion of herself which was founded on propriety.
"Consider, my dear child, it is owing to Mrs. Meridith's favour you receive this notice," said Mr. Campbell; "her consequence is such that whom she favours, every one who wishes to please her thinks it necessary to favour also; but let her withdraw her protection, and where would your noticers be then?"
"Oh! you and my aunt and cousins would notice me," replied she, with an air of gaiety; "even if Mrs. Meridith gave me up; unless I should do any thing very disgraceful indeed; and even then you would care for me, I know."
"And so would I," said John, who was present at this conversation; "my cousin Anna would be always the same to me, let her name be Meridith, or Eastwood, or what it may."
Anna returned him thanks with earnestness. "It is only at Rosewood, and the farm," said she, "that I expect to meet with real friends; and my intercourse with the world has not alienated my affections from them. But, my dear uncle, you would not have me quarrel with these people, because they do not notice me for my own sake? Be assured I properly estimate their attentions, and often smile at them all; but Mrs. Meridith has so often cautioned me against giving any one reason to think I treat them with contempt, that I am careful to return their civility: and if we understand each other right, it passes, like current coin, for no more than it is worth."
"Well, my dear," replied the farmer, smiling, "don't let it increase in value, and I am satisfied. Remember many people have been fined lately for valuing guineas at more than they are worth."