The Parent's Assistant; Or, Stories for Children

Without determining which species of love is the most flattering to others, we can easily decide which is the most agreeable feeling to our minds. We give our hearts more credit for being generous than for being just; and we feel more self-complacency when we give our love voluntarily, than when we yield it as a tribute which we cannot withhold. Though Cecilia's companions might not know all this in theory, they proved it in practice; for they loved her in a much higher proportion to her merits than they loved Leonora.

Each of the young judges was to signify her choice by putting a red or a white shell into a vase prepared for the purpose. Cecilia's colour was red, Leonora's white.

In the morning nothing was to be seen but these shells; nothing talked of but the long-expected event of the evening. Cecilia, following Leonora's example, had made it a point of honour not to inquire of any individual her vote, previously to their final determination.

They were both sitting together in Louisa's room. Louisa was recovering from the measles. Every one during her illness had been desirous of attending her; but Leonora and Cecilia were the only two that were permitted to see her, as they alone had had the distemper. They were both assiduous in their care of Louisa, but Leonora's want of exertion to overcome any disagreeable feelings of sensibility often deprived her of presence of mind, and prevented her from being so constantly useful as Cecilia. Cecilia, on the contrary, often made too much noise and bustle with her officious assistance, and was too anxious to invent amusements and procure comforts for Louisa, without perceiving that illness takes away the power of enjoying them.

As she was sitting at the window in the morning, exerting herself to entertain Louisa, she heard the voice of an old peddler who often used to come to the house. Downstairs, they ran immediately, to ask Mrs. Villars's permission to bring him into the hall. Mrs. Villars consented, and away Cecilia ran to proclaim the news to her companions. Then, first returning into the hall, she found the peddler just unbuckling his box, and taking it off his shoulders.

'What would you be pleased to want, miss?' said the peddler; 'I've all kinds of tweezer-cases, rings, and lockets of all sorts,' continued he, opening all the glittering drawers successively.

'Oh!' said Cecilia, shutting the drawer of lockets which tempted her most, 'these are not the things which I want. Have you any china figures? any mandarins?'

'Alack-a-day, miss, I had a great stock of that same chinaware; but now I'm quite out of them kind of things; but I believe,' said he, rummaging one of the deepest drawers, 'I believe I have one left, and here it is.' 'Oh, that is the very thing! what's its price?' 'Only three shillings, ma'am.' Cecilia paid the money, and was just going to carry off the mandarin, when the peddler took out of his greatcoat pocket a neat mahogany case. It was about a foot long, and fastened at each end by two little clasps. It had, besides, a small lock in the middle.

'What is that?' said Cecilia, eagerly. 'It's only a china figure, miss, which I am going to carry to an elderly lady, who lives nigh hand, and who is mighty fond of such things.' 'Could you let me look at it?' 'And welcome, miss,' said he, and opened the case. 'Oh, goodness! how beautiful!' exclaimed Cecilia.

It was a figure of Flora, crowned with roses, and carrying a basket of flowers in her hand. Cecilia contemplated it with delight. 'How I should like to give this to Louisa!' said she to herself; and, at last, breaking silence, 'Did you promise it to the old lady?' 'Oh no, miss, I didn't promise it – she never saw it; and if so be that you'd like to take it, I'd make no more words about it.' 'And how much does it cost?' 'Why, miss, as to that, I'll let you have it for half-a-guinea.'

Cecilia immediately produced the box in which she kept her treasure, and, emptying it upon the table, she began to count the shillings. Alas! there were but six shillings. 'How provoking!' said she; 'then I can't have it. Where's the mandarin? Oh, I have it,' said she, taking it up, and looking at it with the utmost disgust. 'Is this the same that I had before?' 'Yes, miss, the very same,' replied the peddler, who, during this time, had been examining the little box out of which Cecilia had taken her money – it was of silver. 'Why, ma'am,' said he, 'since you've taken such a fancy to the piece, if you've a mind to make up the remainder of the money, I will take this here little box, if you care to part with it.'

Now this box was a keepsake from Leonora to Cecilia. 'No,' said Cecilia hastily, blushing a little, and stretching out her hand to receive it.

'Oh, miss!' said he, returning it carelessly, 'I hope there's no offence. I meant but to serve you, that's all. Such a rare piece of china-work has no cause to go a-begging,' added he. Then, putting the Flora deliberately into the case, and turning the key with a jerk, he let it drop into his pocket; when, lifting up his box by the leather straps, he was preparing to depart.

'Oh, stay one minute!' said Cecilia, in whose mind there had passed a very warm conflict during the peddler's harangue. 'Louisa would so like this Flora,' said she, arguing with herself. 'Besides, it would be so generous in me to give it to her instead of that ugly mandarin; that would be doing only common justice, for I promised it to her, and she expects it. Though, when I come to look at this mandarin, it is not even so good as hers was. The gilding is all rubbed off, so that I absolutely must buy this for her. Oh yes! I will, and she will be so delighted! and then everybody will say it is the prettiest thing they ever saw, and the broken mandarin will be forgotten for ever.'

Here Cecilia's hand moved, and she was just going to decide: 'Oh, but stop,' said she to herself, 'consider – Leonora gave me this box, and it is a keepsake. However, we have now quarrelled, and I daresay that she would not mind my parting with it. I'm sure that I should not care if she was to give away my keepsake, the smelling-bottle, or the ring which I gave her. Then what does it signify? Besides, is it not my own? and have I not a right to do what I please with it?'

At this moment, so critical for Cecilia, a party of her companions opened the door. She knew that they came as purchasers, and she dreaded her Flora's becoming the prize of some higher bidder. 'Here,' said she, hastily putting the box into the peddler's hand, without looking at it, 'take it, and give me the Flora.' Her hand trembled, though she snatched it impatiently. She ran by, without seeming to mind any of her companions.

Let those who are tempted to do wrong by the hopes of future gratification, or the prospect of certain concealment and impunity, remember that, unless they are totally depraved, they bear in their own hearts a monitor, who will prevent their enjoying what they ill obtained.

In vain Cecilia ran to the rest of her companions, to display her present, in hopes that the applause of others would restore her own self-complacency; in vain she saw the Flora pass in due pomp from hand to hand, each vying with the other in extolling the beauty of the gift and the generosity of the giver. Cecilia was still displeased with herself, with them, and even with their praise. From Louisa's gratitude, however, she yet expected much pleasure, and immediately she ran upstairs to her room.

In the meantime, Leonora had gone into the hall to buy a bodkin; she had just broken hers. In giving her change, the peddler took out of his pocket, with some halfpence, the very box which Cecilia had sold to him. Leonora did not in the least suspect the truth, for her mind was above suspicion; and besides, she had the utmost confidence in Cecilia.

'I should like to have that box,' said she, 'for it is like one of which I was very fond.'

The peddler named the price, and Leonora took the box. She intended to give it to little Louisa. On going to her room she found her asleep, and she sat softly down by her bedside. Louisa opened her eyes.

'I hope I didn't disturb you,' said Leonora. 'Oh no; I didn't hear you come in; but what have you got there?' 'It is only a little box; would you like to have it? I bought it on purpose for you, as I thought perhaps it would please you, because it's like that which I gave Cecilia.' 'Oh yes! that out of which she used to give me Barbary drops. I am very much obliged to you; I always thought that exceedingly pretty, and this, indeed, is as like it as possible. I can't unscrew it; will you try?'

Leonora unscrewed it. 'Goodness!' exclaimed Louisa, 'this must be Cecilia's box. Look, don't you see a great L at the bottom of it?'

Leonora's colour changed. 'Yes,' she replied calmly, 'I see that; but it is no proof that it is Cecilia's. You know that I bought this box just now of the peddler.' 'That may be,' said Louisa; 'but I remember scratching that L with my own needle, and Cecilia scolded me for it, too. Do go and ask her if she has lost her box – do,' repeated Louisa, pulling her by the ruffle, as she did not seem to listen.

Leonora, indeed, did not hear, for she was lost in thought. She was comparing circumstances which had before escaped her attention. She recollected that Cecilia had passed her as she came into the hall, without seeming to see her, but had blushed as she passed. She remembered that the peddler appeared unwilling to part with the box, and was going to put it again in his pocket with the halfpence. 'And why should he keep it in his pocket, and not show it with his other things?' Combining all these circumstances, Leonora had no longer any doubt of the truth, for though she had an honourable confidence in her friends, she had too much penetration to be implicitly credulous.

'Louisa,' she began, but at this instant she heard a step, which, by its quickness, she knew to be Cecilia's, coming along the passage.

'If you love me, Louisa,' said Leonora, 'say nothing about the box.' 'Nay, but why not? I daresay she had lost it.' 'No, my dear, I'm afraid she has not.' Louisa looked surprised. 'But I have reasons for desiring you not to say anything about it.' 'Well, then, I won't, indeed.'

Cecilia opened the door, came forward smiling, as if secure of a good reception, and taking the Flora out of the case, she placed it on the mantelpiece, opposite to Louisa's bed.

'Dear, how beautiful!' cried Louisa, starting up. 'Yes,' said Cecilia, 'and guess who it's for.' 'For me, perhaps!' said the ingenuous Louisa. 'Yes, take it, and keep it for my sake. You know that I broke your mandarin.' 'Oh, but this is a great deal prettier and larger than that.' 'Yes, I know it is; and I meant that it should be so. I should only have done what I was bound to do if I had only given you a mandarin.'

'Well,' replied Louisa, 'and that would have been enough, surely; but what a beautiful crown of roses! and then that basket of flowers! they almost look as if I could smell them. Dear Cecilia, I'm very much obliged to you; but I won't take it by way of payment for the mandarin you broke; for I'm sure you could not help that, and, besides, I should have broken it myself by this time. You shall give it to me entirely; and, as your keepsake, I'll keep it as long as I live.'

Louisa stopped short and coloured; the word keepsake recalled the box to her mind, and all the train of ideas which the Flora had banished. 'But,' said she, looking up wistfully in Cecilia's face, and holding the Flora doubtfully, 'did you – '

Leonora, who was just quitting the room, turned her head back, and gave Louisa a look, which silenced her.

Cecilia was so infatuated with her vanity, that she neither perceived Leonora's sign nor Louisa's confusion, but continued showing off her present, by placing it in various situations, till at length she put it into the case, and laying it down with an affected carelessness upon the bed, 'I must go now, Louisa. Good-bye,' said she, running up and kissing her; 'but I'll come again presently'; then, clapping the door after her, she went. But as soon as the fermentation of her spirits subsided, the sense of shame, which had been scarcely felt when mixed with so many other sensations, rose uppermost in her mind. 'What!' said she to herself, 'is it possible that I have sold what I promised to keep for ever? and what Leonora gave me? and I have concealed it too, and have been making a parade of my generosity. Oh! what would Leonora, what would Louisa – what would everybody think of me if the truth were known?'

Humiliated and grieved by these reflections, Cecilia began to search in her own mind for some consoling idea. She began to compare her conduct with that of others of her own age; and at length, fixing her comparison upon her brother George, as the companion of whom, from her infancy, she had been habitually the most emulous, she recollected that an almost similar circumstance had once happened to him, and that he had not only escaped disgrace, but had acquired glory, by an intrepid confession of his fault. Her father's word to her brother, on the occasion, she also perfectly recollected.

'Come to me, George,' he said, holding out his hand, 'you are a generous, brave boy: they who dare to confess their faults will make great and good men.'

These were his words; but Cecilia, in repeating them to herself, forgot to lay that emphasis on the word men which would have placed it in contradistinction to the word women. She willingly believed that the observation extended equally to both sexes, and flattered herself that she should exceed her brother in merit if she owned a fault which she thought that it would be so much more difficult to confess. 'Yes, but,' said she, stopping herself, 'how can I confess it? This very evening, in a few hours, the prize will be decided. Leonora or I shall win it. I have now as good a chance as Leonora, perhaps a better; and must I give up all my hopes – all that I have been labouring for this month past? Oh, I never can! If it were but to-morrow, or yesterday, or any day but this, I would not hesitate; but now I am almost certain of the prize, and if I win it – well, why then I will – I think I will tell all – yes I will; I am determined,' said Cecilia.

Here a bell summoned them to dinner. Leonora sat opposite to her, and she was not a little surprised to see Cecilia look so gay and unconstrained. 'Surely,' said she to herself, 'if Cecilia had done that which I suspect, she would not, she could not, look as she does.' But Leonora little knew the cause of her gaiety. Cecilia was never in higher spirits, or better pleased with herself, than when she had resolved upon a sacrifice or a confession.

'Must not this evening be given to the most amiable? Whose, then, will it be?' All eyes glanced first at Cecilia, and then at Leonora. Cecilia smiled; Leonora blushed. 'I see that it is not yet decided,' said Mrs. Villars; and immediately they ran upstairs, amidst confused whisperings.

Cecilia's voice could be distinguished far above the rest. 'How can she be so happy!' said Leonora to herself. 'O Cecilia, there was a time when you could not have neglected me so! when we were always together the best of friends and companions; our wishes, tastes, and pleasures the same! Surely she did once love me,' said Leonora; 'but now she is quite changed. She has even sold my keepsake; and she would rather win a bracelet of hair from girls whom she did not always think so much superior to Leonora than have my esteem, my confidence, and my friendship for her whole life – yes, for her whole life, for I am sure she will be an amiable woman. Oh that this bracelet had never been thought of, or that I were certain of her winning it; for I am sure that I do not wish to win it from her. I would rather – a thousand times rather – that we were as we used to be than have all the glory in the world. And how pleasing Cecilia can be when she wishes to please! – how candid she is! – how much she can improve herself! Let me be just, though she has offended me; she is wonderfully improved within this last month. For one fault, and that against myself, shall I forget all her merits?'

As Leonora said these last words, she could but just hear the voices of her companions. They had left her alone in the gallery. She knocked softly at Louisa's door. 'Come in,' said Louisa; 'I'm not asleep. Oh,' said she, starting up with the Flora in her hand, the instant that the door was opened, 'I'm so glad you are come, Leonora, for I did so long to hear what you all were making such a noise about. Have you forgot that the bracelet – ' 'Oh yes! is this the evening?' inquired Leonora. 'Well, here's my white shell for you,' said Louisa. 'I've kept it in my pocket this fortnight; and though Cecilia did give me this Flora, I still love you a great deal better.' 'I thank you, Louisa,' said Leonora, gratefully. 'I will take your shell, and I shall value it as long as I live; but here is a red one, and if you wish to show me that you love me, you will give this to Cecilia. I know that she is particularly anxious for your preference, and I am sure that she deserves it.' 'Yes, if I could I would choose both of you,' said Louisa, 'but you know I can only choose which I like the best.' 'If you mean, my dear Louisa,' said Leonora, 'that you like me the best, I am very much obliged to you, for, indeed, I wish you to love me; but it is enough for me to know it in private. I should not feel the least more pleasure at hearing it in public, or in having it made known to all my companions, especially at a time when it would give poor Cecilia a great deal of pain.' 'But why should it give her pain?' asked Louisa; 'I don't like her for being jealous of you.' 'Nay, Louisa, surely you don't think Cecilia jealous? She only tries to excel, and to please; she is more anxious to succeed than I am, it is true, because she has a great deal more activity, and perhaps more ambition. And it would really mortify her to lose this prize – you know that she proposed it herself. It has been her object for this month past, and I am sure she has taken great pains to obtain it.' 'But, dear Leonora, why should you lose it?' 'Indeed, my dear, it would be no loss to me; and, if it were, I would willingly suffer it for Cecilia; for, though we seem not to be such good friends as we used to be, I love her very much, and she will love me again – I'm sure she will; when she no longer fears me as a rival, she will again love me as a friend.'

Here Leonora heard a number of her companions running along the gallery. They all knocked hastily at the door, calling 'Leonora! Leonora! will you never come? Cecilia has been with us this half-hour.' Leonora smiled. 'Well, Louisa,' said she, smiling, 'will you promise me?' 'Oh, I am sure, by the way they speak to you, that they won't give you the prize!' said the little Louisa, and the tears started into her eyes. 'They love me, though, for all that,' said Leonora; 'and as for the prize, you know whom I wish to have it.'

'Leonora! Leonora!' called her impatient companions; 'don't you hear us? What are you about?' 'Oh, she never will take any trouble about anything,' said one of the party; 'let's go away.' 'Oh, go, go! make haste!' cried Louisa; 'don't stay; they are so angry.' 'Remember, then, that you have promised me,' said Leonora, and she left the room.

During all this time, Cecilia had been in the garden with her companions. The ambition which she had felt to win the first prize – the prize of superior talents and superior application – was not to be compared to the absolute anxiety which she now expressed to win this simple testimony of the love and approbation of her equals and rivals.

To employ her exuberant activity, Cecilia had been dragging branches of lilacs and laburnums, roses and sweet brier, to ornament the bower in which her fate was to be decided. It was excessively hot, but her mind was engaged, and she was indefatigable. She stood still at last to admire her works. Her companions all joined in loud applause. They were not a little prejudiced in her favour by the great eagerness which she expressed to win their prize, and by the great importance which she seemed to affix to the preference of each individual. At last, 'Where is Leonora?' cried one of them; and immediately, as we have seen, they ran to call her.

Cecilia was left alone. Overcome with heat and too violent exertion, she had hardly strength to support herself; each moment appeared to her intolerably long. She was in a state of the utmost suspense, and all her courage failed her. Even hope forsook her; and hope is a cordial which leaves the mind depressed and enfeebled.

'The time is now come,' said Cecilia; 'in a few moments all will be decided. In a few moments – goodness! How much do I hazard? If I should not win the prize, how shall I confess what I have done? How shall I beg Leonora to forgive me? I, who hoped to restore my friendship to her as an honour! They are gone to seek for her. The moment she appears I shall be forgotten. What – what shall I do?' said Cecilia, covering her face with her hands.

Such was Cecilia's situation when Leonora, accompanied by her companions, opened the hall door. They most of them ran forwards to Cecilia. As Leonora came into the bower, she held out her hand to Cecilia. 'We are not rivals, but friends, I hope,' said she. Cecilia clasped her hand; but she was in too great agitation to speak.

The table was now set in the arbour – the vase was now placed in the middle. 'Well,' said Cecilia, eagerly, 'who begins?' Caroline, one of her friends, came forward first, and then all the others successively. Cecilia's emotion was hardly conceivable. 'Now they are all in! Count them, Caroline!'

'One, two, three, four; the numbers are both equal.' There was a dead silence. 'No, they are not,' exclaimed Cecilia, pressing forward, and putting a shell into a vase. 'I have not given mine, and I give it to Leonora.' Then, snatching the bracelet, 'It is yours, Leonora,' said she; 'take it, and give me back your friendship.' The whole assembly gave one universal clap and a general shout of applause.

'I cannot be surprised at this from you, Cecilia,' said Leonora; 'and do you then still love me as you used to do?'

'O Leonora, stop! don't praise me; I don't deserve this,' said she, turning to her loudly-applauding companions. 'You will soon despise me. O Leonora, you will never forgive me! I have deceived you; I have sold – '

At this instant Mrs. Villars appeared. The crowd divided. She had heard all that passed, from her window. 'I applaud your generosity, Cecilia,' said she, 'but I am to tell you that in this instance it is unsuccessful. You have it not in your power to give the prize to Leonora. It is yours. I have another vote to give to you. You have forgotten Louisa.'

'Louisa!' exclaimed Cecilia; 'but surely, ma'am, Louisa loves Leonora better than she does me.' 'She commissioned me, however,' said Mrs. Villars, 'to give you a red shell; and you will find it in this box.'

Cecilia started, and turned as pale as death; it was the fatal box!

Mrs. Villars produced another box. She opened it; it contained the Flora. 'And Louisa also desired me,' said she, 'to return you this Flora.' She put it into Cecilia's hand. Cecilia trembled so that she could not hold it. Leonora caught it.

'Oh, madam! Oh, Leonora!' exclaimed Cecilia; 'now I have no hope left. I intended – I was just going to tell – ' 'Dear Cecilia,' said Leonora, 'you need not tell it me; I know it already; and I forgive you with all my heart.'

'Yes, I can prove to you,' said Mrs. Villars, 'that Leonora has forgiven you. It is she who has given you the prize; it was she who persuaded Louisa to give you her vote. I went to see her a little while ago; and perceiving, by her countenance, that something was the matter, I pressed her to tell me what it was.

'"Why, madam," said she, "Leonora has made me promise to give my shell to Cecilia. Now I don't love Cecilia half so well as I do Leonora. Besides, I would not have Cecilia think I vote for her because she gave me a Flora." Whilst Louisa was speaking,' continued Mrs. Villars, 'I saw this silver box lying on the bed. I took it up, and asked if it was not yours, and how she came by it. "Indeed, madam," said Louisa, "I could have been almost certain that it was Cecilia's; but Leonora gave it me, and she said that she bought it of the peddler this morning. If anybody else had told me so, I could not have believed them, because I remember the box so well; but I can't help believing Leonora." "But did not you ask Cecilia about it?" said I. "No, madam," replied Louisa; "for Leonora forbade me." I guessed her reason. "Well," said I, "give me the box, and I will carry your shell in it to Cecilia." "Then, madam," said she, "if I must give it her, pray do take the Flora, and return it to her first, that she may not think it is for that I do it."'

'Oh, generous Leonora!' exclaimed Cecilia; 'but, indeed, Louisa, I cannot take your shell.'

'Then, dear Cecilia, accept of mine instead of it! you cannot refuse it; I only follow your example. As for the bracelet,' added Leonora, taking Cecilia's hand, 'I assure you I don't wish for it, and you do, and you deserve it.' 'No,' said Cecilia, 'indeed I do not deserve it. Next to you, surely Louisa deserves it best.'

'Louisa! oh yes, Louisa,' exclaimed everybody with one voice.

'Yes,' said Mrs. Villars, 'and let Cecilia carry the bracelet to her; she deserves that reward. For one fault I cannot forget all your merits, Cecilia, nor, I am sure, will your companions.' 'Then, surely, not your best friend,' said Leonora, kissing her.

Everybody present was moved. They looked up to Leonora with respectful and affectionate admiration.

'Oh, Leonora, how I love you! and how I wish to be like you!' exclaimed Cecilia – 'to be as good, as generous!'

'Rather wish, Cecilia,' interrupted Mrs. Villars, 'to be as just; to be as strictly honourable, and as invariably consistent. Remember, that many of our sex are capable of great efforts – of making what they call great sacrifices to virtue or to friendship; but few treat their friends with habitual gentleness, or uniformly conduct themselves with prudence and good sense.'