Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/206

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204
DUTY AND INCLINATION.

greatly tend to the agreeableness of his walk, they accordingly set off together.

As soon as they had entered the cottage, the little girl, who could already walk alone, no sooner saw Rosilia than she joyfully threw herself into the arms extended to receive her. It had been agreed by the Doctor, that whilst he pursued his morning's avocations, she would remain to pass an hour or two with the child, until he called to take her up, and conduct her home.

Not less innocent, but still more lovely than her blooming charge, Rosilia delighted to ramble with her through those pleasant meadows and beautiful winding alleys adjacent to the cottage; sometimes she chased her round the garden, and sometimes, seated in a rustic recess, taught her to pronounce some words, and to form her lisping accents into an articulation more intelligible; while Rose, often weary of the task, would stray away, and after a short interval playfully return, her little hands being laden with flowers, fresh and glowing as herself, whilst, with frolic humour in her face, she tossed the rich profusion into the lap of her sweet instructress. To please the charming child, Rosilia would twine them into a wreath, which she would encircle around the curly head or snow-white bosom of the beautiful infant.

Having been thus employed, and fatigued from exercise, they returned to the cottage. Her thoughts and affections still occupied by her infant playmate,