Page:Authors daughter v1.djvu/302

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298
THE AUTHOR'S DAUGHTER.

had a miniature of his mother taken before her marriage, and except that the expression on the vignette was more lively and joyous, there was almost absolute identity between the faces. Amy's eyes were rather darker, and her eyebrows more defined; but the likeness was even more remarkable than when it had ed Mrs. Hammond and had prejudiced her against the desolate orphan. Mr. Derrick could not speak; he looked at both likenesses long and attentively, Jessie and George knew of the relationship, and held their breath till he should say. something, while he old people though he was simply a great connoisseur who was struck with the beauty of the portraits and the excellence of the execution, which was so creditable to Australia.

"I knew you would admire them," said Mrs. Copeland. "Poor child, it is well she fell into such kind hands. Is not she a sort of governess at your father's, Jessie, my dear, getting a regular salary now? Though she was so young, her father, who was a bookish man, had given her a first-rate education, and she was clever enough to be of great use to Jessie's young sisters."

"And to Allan and me too," said Jessie, quietly.

"When did her father meet with this sad death?" asked Mr. Derrick.