STRATA GEMS.

CHAPTER I.

THE ARRIVAL.

"I KNOW, mamma, you cannot tell me positively, but say, do you think aunt Catherine will be here to-day?" asked Helen Beecham, stopping suddenly in the middle of rather a difficult passage she was practising.

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My dear Helen," replied Mrs. Beecham, "this is the third time you have turned from the piano within the last quarter of an hour to same question; and I can

ask me the

only answer

B

you, I do not know. The vessel from Bengal, by which we expect my sister, was telegraphed as in the Channel yesterday; and I hope by this time your papa has arrived safely at Portsmouth, in readiness to meet her. But your aunt, invalid as we know she is, may require rest after the fatigue of disembarking, and be unable to start immediately on a long journey."

"Railroad travelling is very little fatiguing," said Helen. "I think aunt Catherine will be here to-night.”

"I hope so," returned Mrs. Beecham ; 'meanwhile, as I foresee several holidays for you within the next few weeks, I recommend you to make the most of this morning, and practise for at least another hour with care and attention.

Stay! stay!" continued Mrs. Beecham ; "do not miss the remainder of that minor passage at the beginning of which you broke off: it is the very part of the fantasia in which you are the least perfect."

Helen blushed scarlet, as she turned back the page, for her conscience told her she had hoped her mamma would not observe the omission. She was not by any means in an industrious mood; she could think of nothing but the visit of her aunt, whom she had never seen, but whose amiable qualities had been a theme of conversation with her parents from her earliest recollection. Helen was now fourteen years of age, and for the last three years had kept up a regular correspondence with her aunt,

Mrs. Travers; and kind letters, and on several occasions beautiful presents, had given her niece a very just idea of her affectionate disposition and generous nature. It was a pity Helen did not acknowledge that her mind was SO occupied by the expected pleasure of seeing her aunt, that she found it difficult to attend to her studies, instead of attempting to slur them over. Mrs. Beecham was so kind and considerate, that she would certainly have been indulgent on such an occasion; but a want of candour was the great fault of Helen's character. Yet she was not without many good qualities, and she strove now to make amends for " "skipping" the difficult passage by practising it many times with care and attention.