Page:A New England Tale.djvu/99

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A NEW-ENGLAND TALE.

the king was exceedingly admired, and some were heard to observe, (very pertinently,) that they did not believe Solomon, in all his glory, was arrayed like him.

Jane's situation, at her aunt's, was rendered more painful than ever, from the events of the school and the exhibition. Mrs. Wilson treated her with every species of vexatious unkindness. In vain Jane tried, by her usefulness to her aunt, to win her favour, and by the most patient obedience to her unreasonable commands, by silent uncomplaining submission, to sooth her into kindness. It was all in vain; her aunt was more oppressive than ever; Martha more rude, and Elvira more tormenting. It was not hearing her called "the just," that provoked their hatred; but it was the keen and most disagreeable feeling of self-reproach that stung them, when the light of her goodness fell upon their evil deeds; it was the "daily beauty of her life that made them ugly."