Eight cousins : or, The aunt-hill

286 EIGHT COUSINS.There Dr. Alec stopj^ed to get his breath, for hehad siDoken very earnestly, and his voice got a littlehusky over the last words. A gentle murmur fromthe aunts seemed to encourage him, and he wenton with an engaging smile, for the good man wasslyly trying to win all the ladies to vote for himwhen the time came." Now, I don't wish to be selfish or arbitrary, becauseI am her guardian, and I shall leave Rose freeto choose for herself. We all want her, and if shelikes to make her home with any ofyou rather thanwith me, she shall do so. In fact, I encouraged hervisits last winter, that she might see what we can alloffer her, and judge where she will be happiest. Isnot that the fairest way ? Will you agree to abide byher choice, as I do ? "" Yes, we will," said all the aunts, in quite a flutterof excitement, at the j^rospect of having Rose for awhole year." Good ! she will be here directly, and then we willsettle the question for another year. A most importantyear, mind you, for she has got a good start, andwill blossom rapidly now if all goes well with her.So I beg of you don't undo my work, but deal verywisely and gently with my little girl, for if any harmcome to her, I think it would break my heart." .As he spoke. Dr. Alec turned his back abruptly andaffected to be examining the pictures again ; but theaunts understood how dear the child was to the solitaryman who had loved her mother years ago, andwho now found his happiness in cherishing the littleRose who was so like her. The good ladies nodded