A FRIENDLY PROPOSITION.

The morning after the foregoing occurrence found Mabel very dull, and very captious. She was of course glad to know that the brooch had been found, but very uneasy at the manner of finding it. She was not, in truth, sorry for the fault that she had committed, but her proud spirit chafed at the idea of being talked about in the Maitland family, especially as she knew that a young cousin of theirs, Harry Maitland, was expected to pay them a visit on this very day, when the whole affair was sure to be canvassed.

But we will leave Mabel to her own uneasy thoughts, and look in at the pleasant family party assembled in the breakfast-room of the Laurels, as Mr. Maitland’s residence was designated. This villa, as we know, adjoined that of Aunt Mary, who at this time was on a visit with her niece Clara to that young lady’s widowed mother, Mrs. Beaumont. Cousin Harry had arrived, and made one of the happy group, who were sitting, books and work in hand, for they were never idle, enjoying the fresh pure air of the morning, and the delicious smell of flowers, of which there was a profusion both outside and in. The garden, indeed, was resplendent with variety and beauty of colouring, softly shaded down by the laurels, which gave their name to the villa.

Mr. Maitland had been reading a book of travels, and he was now descanting on the uses and properties of the Eucalyptus, or blue gum-tree of Australia, which is said to grow as much in seven years, as an oak will grow in twenty; attains sometimes the height of three and four hundred feet, drains the ground, attracts rain, prevents malaria, etc.

’But do you really believe, sir, all that is written about this wonderful tree?’ inquired Harry Maitland, who had been making a sketch of the said tree, from the description which his uncle had been reading to them.

‘Certainly, I do believe all that is stated of it,’ replied Mr. Maitland. ’Why should I doubt well-accredited writers and eye-witnesses? The most extraordinary fact respecting it is, its health-diffusing properties, which, as I read, makes me wonder why strenuous efforts have not been made for its cultivation in England. I know there have been, and there are, some efforts made, but not on an extensive scale. There are some young trees in the Kew Gardens, which, before you leave us, Harry, I hope we shall go to see.’

Just as Mr. Maitland was beginning to read again, he was interrupted by a smart rap-tap at the front door; and immediately after, the servant announced Mr. and Mrs. Norton.

‘Dear Laura,’ exclaimed Mrs. Maitland, kissing her young friend,’ I am very glad to see you again, though I did not expect you would be out so early this morning. I see,’ added the lady, ’I need not introduce Dora and Annie; though you did not see them yesterday, it is evident they have not forgotten you.’

Indeed they had not, for each had seized a hand of their favourite, and had given and received a warm salute.

While these kindly salutations were going on, Mr. Maitland and Harry were exchanging courtesies with their friend Mr. Norton, for Cousin Harry was no stranger to that gentleman, who had often been a visitor at his father’s house or rather I should say rectory, in Kent always an agreeable one, for he had travelled much, and could make himself a most interesting companion.

‘I did not tell you yesterday, Mr. Maitland,’ said their visitor, ’that we leave England for Australia in a week’s time; I know under the circumstances you will excuse this early and unceremonious visit, as we wish to spend as much time as possible with our friends, and to have some little excursions with the young people.’

‘Are you really going to leave England so soon, and going so far away?’ inquired Mr. Maitland, rather dolefully. ’I am so sorry for our own sakes, but I hope it will be to your own great advantage.’

‘Yes, I hope so too,’ replied Mr. Norton; ’our prospects are very fair; the climate is good, and I have many friends located there.’

’And you will be in the native land of this magnificent tree we have been reading about,’ said Harry, ’the blue gum tree. Do, Mr. Norton, write and tell us all you know about it.’

‘Harry is quite sceptical respecting its merits,’ said Mr. Maitland, laughing. ’I do hope you will be able to convince him that what he has read and heard about it is all quite true.’

’I am sorry to say that I have never yet turned my attention to the subject, but I make Master Harry a promise that I will do so, and that I will give him all possible information I can gain on the subject; but just now,’ added the gentleman, ’we have a proposal to make, which we must not defer, as our time is so short. It is this,’ continued Mr. Norton, ’that we all spend a pleasant day together at some place of amusement, to be chosen by the young ladies. We are to spend this evening at Camden Terrace, with our kind friends Mr. and Mrs. Ellis. I hope you will be there, and then we can settle our plans for to-morrow.’

‘We have been invited,’ said Mrs. Maitland, ’but unfortunately we had a prior engagement; but I promise you, Mr. Norton, that in whatever direction you may decide to go to-morrow, we will accompany you.’

‘Stop, stop, my dear,’ interrupted Mr. Maitland; ’you are reckoning without your host, although he happens to be in the room with you. Do you forget that I have to set off early in the morning to pay a visit to a sick friend who is particularly anxious to see me?’

‘Well, we shall be very sorry to go without you, Maitland,’ replied Mr. Norton; ’but I suppose Master Harry, here, will try to supply your place to the young ladies, and we must do as well as we can.’

’Did you hear about our finding Mrs. Ellis’s brooch yesterday, in the Regent’s Park?’ inquired Mrs. Norton; ’but perhaps you have not seen any of them. It was a curious accident.’

‘The brooch!’ exclaimed Dora and Annie, simultaneously. ’Did you really find the brooch? Oh, we are so glad! We told dear mamma about it, and she was as sorry as we were, but we have not seen Mabel or Julia since. How did you happen to find it, Mrs. Norton?’

‘We went to seat ourselves under the shade of the trees,’ replied the lady. ’We saw you in the distance, but did not know who you were; and I dare say you did not see us, for you were all looking on the ground.’

‘Yes, of course we were,’ said Dora; ’we were searching for the brooch. And I remember we did see a lady and gentleman coming towards us; we went away sooner on that account, for Mabel was in such a temper I felt ashamed of anyone coming near us, though she was the only person to blame, as she ought not to have worn her mamma’s brooch.’

‘Hush, hush! my little girl!’ said papa; ’don’t you know that our motto is, “If you cannot speak good of a person, say nothing at all of them."’

‘Bravo! bravo!’ cried Mr. Norton. ’I heartily wish that this golden rule were adopted in every family. What a world of trouble would be saved, and how much more time there would be for profitable conversation!’

‘Well,’ said Mrs. Maitland, ’we are all heartily glad that the treasure is recovered; and perhaps its temporary loss, and the uneasiness it occasioned, may be a useful lesson to the young people.’

The visitors now took leave of their friends, promising themselves the pleasure of seeing them in the morning, at the early hour of eleven, in order that they might have a long day together. It was also agreed that, to save time and trouble, the parties were to meet at the Park, if no objection were raised to the proposed plan by Mr. and Mrs. Ellis.