PREFACE. To my dear Sister I dedicate the following pages. For many years past she has always been urging me to write a story, and I refused, on the ground that I could not write what would suit the popular taste. At last I have yielded to her request, because I feel, that such is the variety of taste, that what will be dull to some may be interesting to others. Moreover, there are so many unpleasant pictures of human life published in these days-too true, I fear-that I am not sorry to add to the minority of stories which try to bring out the better side of everyday-life. |