TherelivedinthenorthernpartsofEngland，agentlewomanwhoundertooktheeducationofyoungladies;andthistrustsheendeavouredfaithfullytodischarge，byinstructingthosecommittedtohercareinreading，writing，working，andinallproperformsofbehaviour。Andthoughherprincipalaimwastoimprovetheirmindsinallusefulknowledge;torenderthemobedienttotheirsuperiors，andgentle，kind，andaffectionatetoeachother;yetdidshenotomitteachingthemanexactneatnessintheirpersonsanddress，andaperfectgentilityintheirwholecarriage。
Thisgentlewoman，whosenamewasTeachum，wasthewidowofaclergyman，withwhomshehadlivednineyearsinalltheharmonyandconcordwhichformstheonlysatisfactoryhappinessinthemarriedstate。Twolittlegirls（theyoungestofwhichwasbornbeforethesecondyearoftheirmarriagewasexpired）tookupagreatpartoftheirthoughts;anditwastheirmutualdesigntosparenopainsortroubleintheireducation。
Mr。Teachumwasaverysensibleman，andtookgreatdelightinimprovinghiswife;asshealsoplacedherchiefpleasureinreceivinghisinstructions。Oneofhisconstantsubjectsofdiscoursetoherwasconcerningtheeducationofchildren：sothat，wheninhislastillnesshisphysicianspronouncedhimbeyondthepoweroftheirarttorelievehim，heexpressedgreatsatisfactioninthethoughtofleavinghischildrentothecareofsoprudentamother。
Mrs。Teachum，thoughexceedinglyafflictedbysuchaloss，yetthoughtitherdutytocallforthallherresolutionstoconquerhergrief，inordertoapplyherselftothecareoftheseherdearhusband’schildren。Buthermisfortuneswerenotheretoend：
forwithinatwelvemonthafterthedeathofherhusband，shewasdeprivedofbothherchildrenbyaviolentfeverthatthenragedinthecountry;and，aboutthesametime，bytheunforeseenbreakingofabanker，inwhosehandsalmostallherfortunewasjustthenplaced，shewasbereftofthemeansofherfuturesupport。
TheChristianfortitudewithwhich（throughherhusband’sinstructions）shehadarmedhermind，hadnotleftitinthepowerofanyoutwardaccidenttobereaveherofherunderstanding，ortomakeherincapableofdoingwhatwasproperonalloccasions。
Therefore，bytheadviceofallherfriends，sheundertookwhatshewassowellqualifiedfor;namely，theeducationofchildren。
Butasshewasmoderateinherdesires，anddidnotseektoraiseagreatfortune，shewasresolvedtotakenomorescholarsthanshecouldhaveaneyetoherselfwithoutthehelpofotherteachers;andinsteadofmakinginteresttofillherschool，itwaslookeduponasagreatfavourwhenshewouldtakeanygirl。
Andashernumberwasfixedtonine，whichsheonnoaccountwouldbeprevailedontoincrease，greatapplicationwasmade，whenanyscholarwentaway，tohaveherplacesupplied;andhappyweretheywhocouldgetapromiseforthenextvacancy。
Mrs。Teachumwasaboutfortyyearsold，tallandgenteelinherperson，thoughsomewhatinclinedtofat。Shehadalivelyandcommandingeye，insomuchthatshenaturallycreatedanaweinallherlittlescholars;exceptwhenshecondescendedtosmile，andtalkfamiliarlytothem;andthenshehadsomethingperfectlykindandtenderinhermanner。Hertemperwassoextremelycalmandgood，thatthoughsheneveromittedreprehending，andthatprettyseverely，anygirlthatwasguiltyofthesmallestfaultproceedingfromanevildisposition;yetfornocausewhatsoeverwassheprovokedtobeinapassion;butshekeptupsuchadignityandauthority，byhersteadybehavior，thatthegirlsgreatlyfearedtoincurherdispleasurebydisobeyinghercommands;andwereequallypleasedwithherapprobation，whentheyhaddoneanythingworthyhercommendation。
Atthetimeoftheensuinghistory，theschool（beingfull）
consistedoftheninefollowingyoungladies：
MissJENNYPEACE。
MissNANNYSPRUCE。
MissSUKEYJENNETT。
MissBETTYFORD。
MissDOLLYFRIENDLY。
MissHENNYFRET。
MissLUCYSLY。
MissPOLLYSUCKLING。
MissPATTYLOCKIT。
Theeldestofthesewasbutfourteenyearsold，andnoneoftheresthadyetattainedtheirtwelfthyear。
ANACCOUNTOFAFRAY，BEGUNANDCARRIEDONFORTHESAKEOFAN
APPLE：INWHICHARESHOWNTHESADEFFECTSOFRAGEANDANGER。
Itwasonafinesummer’seveningwhentheschool—hourswereatanend，andtheyoungladieswereadmittedtodivertthemselvesforsometime，astheythoughtproper，inapleasantgardenadjoiningtothehouse，thattheirgoverness，whodelightedinpleasingthem，broughtoutalittlebasketofapples，whichwereintendedtobedividedequallyamongstthem;butMrs。Teachumbeinghastilycalledaway（oneofherpoorneighhourshavinghadanaccidentwhichwantedherassistance），sheleftthefruitinthehandsofMissJennyPeace，theeldestofherscholars，withastrictchargetoseethateveryonehadanequalshareofhergift。
ButhereaperverseaccidentturnedgoodMrs。Teachum’sdesignofgivingthempleasureintotheirsorrow，andraisedintheirlittleheartsnothingbutstrifeandanger：for，alas！therehappenedtobeoneapplesomethinglargerthantherest，onwhichthewholecompanyimmediatelyplacedtheirdesiringeyes，andallatoncecriedout，’Pray，MissJenny，givemethatapple。’Eachgaveherreasonswhyshehadthebesttitletoit：theyoungestpleadedheryouth，andtheeldestherage;oneinsistedonhergoodness，anotherfromhermeeknessclaimedatitletopreference;andone，inconfidenceofherstrength，saidpositively，shewouldhaveit;
butallspeakingtogether，itwasdifficulttodistinguishwhosaidthis，orwhosaidthat。
MissJennybeggedthemalltobequiet，butinvain;forshecouldnotbeheard：theyhadallsettheirheartsonthatfineapple，lookinguponthoseshehadgiventhemasnothing。Shetoldthemtheyhadbetterbecontentedwithwhattheyhad，thanbethusseekingwhatitwasimpossibleforhertogivetothemall。Sheofferedtodivideitintoeightparts，ortodoanythingtosatisfythem;butshemightaswellhavebeensilent;fortheywerealltalkingandhadnotimetohear。Atlastasameanstoquietthedisturbance，shethrewthisapple，thecauseoftheircontention，withherutmostforceoverahedgeintoanothergarden，wheretheycouldnotcomeatit。
Atfirsttheywereallsilent，asiftheywerestruckdumbwithastonishmentwiththelossofthisonepoorapple，thoughatthesametimetheyhadplentybeforethem。
ButthisdidnotbringtopassMissJenny’sdesign：fornowtheyallbeganagaintoquarrelwhichhadthemostrighttoit，andwhichoughttohavehadit，withasmuchvehemenceastheyhadbeforecontendedforthepossessionofit;andtheirangerbydegreesbecamesohigh，thatwordscouldnotventhalftheirrage;
andtheyfelltopullingofcaps，tearingofhair，anddraggingtheclothesoffoneanother’sbacks：thoughtheydidnotsomuchstrike，asendeavourtoscratchandpinchtheirenemies。
MissDollyFriendlyasyetwasnotengagedinthebattle;butonhearingherfriendMissNannySprucescreamout，thatshewashurtbyaslypinchfromoneofthegirls，sheflewonthisslypincher，asshecalledher，likeanenragedliononitsprey;andnotcontentonlytoreturntheharmherfriendhadreceived，shestruckwithsuchforce，asfelledherenemytotheground。Andnowtheycouldnotdistinguishbetweenfriendandenemy;butfought，scratched，andtore，likesomanycats，whentheyextendtheirclawstofixthemintheirrival’sheart。
MissJennywasemployedinendeavouringtopartthem。
InthemidstofthisconfusionappearedMrs。Teachum，whowasreturninginhopestoseethemhappywiththefruitshehadgiventhem;butshewassometimetherebeforeeitherhervoiceorpresencecouldawakenthemfromtheirattentiontothefight;whenonasuddentheyallfacedher，andfearofpunishmentbegannowalittletoabatetheirrage。Eachofthemissesheldinherrighthand，fastclenched，somemarksofvictory;fortheybeatandwerebeatenbyturns。Oneofthemheldalittlelockofhairtornfromtheheadofherenemy;anothergraspedapieceofacap，which，inaimingatherrival’shair，haddeceivedherhand，andwasallthespoilsshecouldgain;athirdclenchedapieceofanapron;afourth，ofafrock。Inshort，everyoneunfortunatelyheldinherhandaproofofhavingbeenengagedinthebattle。Andthegroundwasspreadwithragsandtatters，tornfromthebacksofthelittleinveteratecombatants。
Mrs。Teachumstoodforsometimeastonishedatthesight;butatlastsheenquiredofMissJennyPeace，whowastheonlypersondisengaged，totellherthewholetruth，andtoinformherofthecauseofallthisconfusion。
MissJennywasobligedtoobeythecommandsofhergoverness;
thoughshewassogoodnaturedthatshediditinthemildestterms;andendeavouredallshecouldtolessen，ratherthanincrease，Mrs。Teachum’sanger。Theguiltypersonsnowbeganalltoexcusethemselvesasfastastearsandsobswouldpermitthem。
Onesaid，’Indeed，madam，itwasnoneofmyfault;forIdidnotbegin;forMissSukeyJennett，withoutanycauseintheworld（forIdidnothingtoprovokeher），hitmeagreatslapintheface，andmademytoothache;thepainDIDmakemeangry;andthen，indeed，Ihitheralittletap;butitwasonherback;andIamsureitwasthesmallesttapintheworldandcouldnotpossiblyhurtherhalfsomuchashergreatblowdidme。’
’Law，miss！’repliedMissJennett，’howcanyousayso？whenyouknowthatyoustruckmefirst，andthatyourswasthegreatblow，andminethelittletap;forIonlywenttodefendmyselffromyourmonstrousblows。’
Suchlikedefencestheywouldallhavemadeforthemselves，eachinsistingonnotbeinginfault，andthrowingtheblameonhercompanion;butMrs。Teachumsilencedthembyapositivecommand;
andtoldthem，thatshesawtheywereallequallyguilty，andassuchwouldtreatthem。
Mrs。Teachum’smethodofpunishingInevercouldfindout。Butthisiscertain，themostseverepunishmentshehadeverinflictedonanymisses，sinceshehadkeptaschool，wasnowlaidonthesewickedgirls，whohadbeenthusfighting，andpullingoneanothertopieces，forasorryapple。
Thefirstthingshedidwastotakeawayalltheapples;tellingthem，thatbeforetheyhadanymoreinstancesofsuchkindnessfromher，theyshouldgiveherproofsoftheirdeservingthembetter。Andwhenshehadpunishedthemasmuchasshethoughtproper，shemadethemallembraceoneanother，andpromisetobefriendsforthefuture;which，inobediencetohercommands，theywereforcedtocomplywith，thoughthereremainedagrudgeandill—willintheirbosoms;everyonethinkingshewaspunishedmost，althoughshewouldhaveit，thatshedeservedtobepunishedleast;andtheycontinuedalltheslytrickstheycouldthinkontovexandteaseeachother。
ADIALOGUEBETWEENMISSJENNYPEACEANDMISSSUKEYJENNETT;
WHEREINTHELATTERISATLASTCONVINCEDOFHEROWNFOLLYINBEING
SOQUARRELSOME;AND，BYHEREXAMPLE，ALLHERCOMPANIONSARE
BROUGHTTOSEEANDCONFESSTHEIRFAULT。
ThenextmorningMissJennyPeaceusedherutmostendeavourstobringherschoolfellowstobeheartilyreconciled，butinvain：
foreachinsistedonit，thatshewasnottoblame;butthatthewholequarrelarosefromthefaultsofothers。AtlastensuedthefollowingdialoguebetweenMissJennyPeaceandMissSukeyJennett，whichbroughtaboutMissJenny’sdesigns;andwhichwerecommendtotheconsiderationofallouryoungreaders。
MISSJENNY。Nowpray，MissSukey，tellme，whatdidyougetbyyourcontentionandquarrelaboutthatfoolishapple？
MISSSUKEY。Indeed，ma’am，Ishallnotansweryou;Iknowthatyouonlywanttoprove，thatyouarewiserthanI，becauseyouareolder。ButIdon’tknowbutsomepeoplemayunderstandasmuchatelevenyearsoldasothersatthirteen：but，becauseyouaretheoldestintheschool，youalwayswanttobetutoringandgoverning。Idon’tliketohavemorethanonegoverness;andifI
obeymymistress，Ithinkthatisenough。
MISSJENNY。Indeed，mydear，Idon’twanttogovernyou，nortoprovemyselfwiserthanyou;Ionlywantthatinsteadofquarrelling，andmakingyourselfmiserable，youshouldliveatpeaceandbehappy。Therefore，praydoanswermyquestion，whetheryougetanythingbyyourquarrel？
MISSSUKEY。NoIcannotsayIgotanythingbyit：formymistresswasangry，andpunishedme;andmyhairwaspulledoff，andmyclothestorninthescuffle;neitherdidIvaluetheapple;
butyetIhavetoomuchspirittobeimposedon。IamsureIhadasgoodarighttoitasanyoftheothers;andIwouldnotgiveupmyrighttoanyone。
MISSJENNY。Butdon’tyouknow，MissSukey，itwouldhaveshownmuchmorespirittohaveyieldedtheappletoanother，thantohavefoughtaboutit？Thenindeedyouwouldhaveprovedyoursense;foryouwouldhaveshown，thatyouhadtoomuchunderstandingtofightaboutatrifle。Thenyourclotheshadbeenwhole，yourhairnottornfromyourhead，yourmistresshadnotbeenangry，norhadyourfruitbeentakenawayfromyou。
MISSSUKEY。Andso，miss，youwouldfainprove，thatitiswisesttosubmittoeverybodythatwouldimposeuponone？ButIwillnotbelieveii，saywhatyouwill。
MISSJENNY。ButisnotwhatIsaytrue？Ifyouhadnotbeeninthebattle，wouldnotyourclotheshavebeenwhole，yourhairnottorn，yourmistresspleasedwithyou，andtheapplesyourown？
HereMissSukeypausedforsometime：forasMissJennywasintherightandhadtruthonherside，itwasdifficultforMissSukeytoknowwhattoanswer。Foritisimpossible，withoutbeingverysilly，tocontradicttruth;andyetMissSukeywassofoolish，thatshedidnotcaretoownherselfinthewrong;thoughnothingcouldhavebeensogreatasignofherunderstanding。
WhenMissJennysawherthusatalossforananswer，shewasinhopesofmakinghercompanionhappy;for，asshehadasmuchgoodnatureasunderstanding，thatwasherdesign。Shethereforepursuedherdiscourseinthefollowingmanner：
MISSJENNY。Pray，MissSukey，doanswermeonequestionmore。
Don’tyoulieawakeatnights，andfretandvexyourself，becauseyouareangrywithyourschool—fellows？Arenotyourestlessanduneasy，becauseyoucannotfindasafemethodtoberevengedonthem，withoutbeingpunishedyourself？Dotellmetruly，isnotthisyourcase？
MISSSUKEY。Yesitis。ForifIcouldbuthurtmyenemies，withoutbeinghurtmyself，itwouldbethegreatestpleasureI
couldhaveintheworld。
MISSJENNY。Ohfie，MissSukey！Whatyouhavenowsaidiswicked。Don’tyouconsiderwhatyousayeverydayinyourprayers’？Andthiswayofthinkingwillmakeyouleadaveryuneasylife。Ifyouwouldhearkentome，Icouldputyouintoamethodofbeingveryhappy，andmakingallthosemissesyoucallyourenemies，becomeyourfriends。
MISSSUKEY。Youcouldtellmeamethod，miss？DoyouthinkI
don’tknowaswellasyouwhatisfittobedone？IbelieveIamascapableoffindingthewaytobehappy，asyouareofteachingme。
HereMissSukeyburstintotears，thatanybodyshouldpresumetotellherthewaytobehappy。
MISSJENNY。Uponmyword，mydear，Idon’tmeantovexyou;butonly，insteadoftormentingyourselfallnightinlayingplotstorevengeyourself，IwouldhaveyouemploythisonenightinthinkingofwhatIhavesaid。Nothingwillshowyoursensesomuch，astoownthatyouhavebeeninthewrong。Norwillanythingprovearightspiritsomuch。astoconfessyourfault。
Allthemisseswillbeyourfriends，andperhapsfollowyourexample。Thenyouwillhavethepleasureofhavingcausedthequietofthewholeschool;yourgovernesswillloveyou;andyouwillbeatpeaceinyourmind，andneverhaveanymorefoolishquarrels，inwhichyouallgetnothingbutblowsanduneasiness。
MissSukeybegannowtofind，thatMissJennywasintheright，andsheherselfinthewrong;butyetshewassoproudshewouldnotownit。Nothingcouldbesofoolishasthispride;becauseitwouldhavebeenbothgoodandwiseinhertoconfessthetruththemomentshesawit。However，MissJennywassodiscreetasnottopressheranyfartherthatnight;butbeggedhertoconsiderseriouslyonwhatshehadsaid，andtoletherknowherthoughtsthenextmorningandthenlefther。
WhenMissSukeywasaloneshestoodsometimeingreatconfusion。
Shecouldnothelpseeinghowmuchhithertoshehadbeeninthewrong;andthatthoughtstunghertotheheart。Shecried，stamped，andwasinasgreatanagonyasifsomesadmisfortunehadbefallenher。Atlast，whenshehadsomewhatventedherpassionbytears，sheburstforthintothefollowingspeech：
’ItisverytruewhatMissJennyPeacesays;forIamalwaysuneasy。Idon’tsleepinquietbecauseIamalwaysthinking，eitherthatIhavenotmyshareofwhatisgivenus，orthatI
cannotberevengedonanyofthegirlsthatoffendme。AndwhenI
quarrelwiththem，Iamscratchedandbruised;orreproached。AndwhatdoIgetbyallthis？Why，Iscratch，bruise，andreproachtheminmyturn。Isnotthatgainenough？IwarrantIhurtthemasmuchastheyhurtme。Butthenindeed，asMissJennysays，ifIcouldmakethesegirlsmyfriends，anddidnotwishtohurtthem，Icertainlymightliveaquieter，andperhapsahappier，life。Butwhatthen，haveIbeenalwaysinthewrongallmylifetime？forIalwaysquarrelledandhatedeveryonewhohadoffendedme。Oh！Icannotbearthatthought！Itisenoughtomakememad！whenIimaginedmyselfsowiseandsosensible，tofindoutthatIhavebeenalwaysafool。IfIthinkamomentlongeraboutit，Ishalldiewithgriefandshame。Imustthinkmyselfintheright;andIwilltoo。But，asMissJennysays，I
reallyamunhappy;forIhateallmyschoolfellows;andyetIdarenotdothemanymischief;formymistresswillpunishmeseverelyifIdo。Ishouldnotsomuchmindthatneither;butthenthoseI
intendtohurtwilltriumphoverme，toseemepunishedfortheirsakes。Inshort，themoreIreflect，themoreIamafraidMissJennyisintheright;andyetitbreaksmyhearttothinkso。’
Herethepoorgirlweptsobitterly，andwassoheartilygrieved，thatshecouldnotutteronewordmore;butsatherselfdown，recliningherheaduponherhand，inthemostmelancholyposturethatcouldbe;norcouldsheclosehereyesallnight，butlaytossingandravingwiththethoughthowsheshouldact，andwhatsheshouldsaytoMissJennythenextday。
Whenthemorningcame，MissSukeydreadedeverymoment，asthetimedrewnearerwhenshemustmeetMissJenny。Sheknewitwouldnotbepossibletoresistherarguments;andyetshameforhavingbeeninfaultovercameher。
AssoonasMissJennysawMissSukeywithhereyescastdown，andconfessing，byalookofsorrow，thatshewouldtakeheradvice，sheembracedherkindly;and，withoutgivingherthetroubletospeak，tookitforgranted，thatshewouldleaveoffquarreling，bereconciledtoherschoolfellows，andmakeherselfhappy。
MissSukeydidindeedstammeroutsomewords，whichimpliedaconfessionofherfault;buttheywerespokesolowtheycouldhardlybeheard;onlyMissJenny，whoalwayschosetolookatthefairestsideofhercompanions’actions，byMissSukey’slookandmannerguessedhermeaning。
Inthesamemannerdidthisgoodgirl，Jenny，persuade，onebyone，allherschoolfellowstobereconciledtoeachwithsincerityandlove。
MissDollyFriendly，whohadtoomuchsensetoengagethebattleforthesakeofanapple，andwhowasprovokedtostrikeablowonlyforfriendship’ssake，easilysawthetruthofwhatMissJennysaid;andwasthereforepresentlyconvinced，thatthebestpartshecouldhaveactedforherfriend，wouldhavebeentohavewithdrawnherfromthescuffle。
ASCENEOFLOVEANDFRIENDSHIP，QUITETHEREVERSEOFTHEBATTLE，WHEREINARESHOWNTHEDIFFERENTEFFECTSOFLOVEANDGOODNESSFROM
THOSEATTENDINGANGER，STRIFE，ANDWICKEDNESS：WITHTHELIFEOF
MISSJENNYPEACE。
AfterMissJennyhadcompletedthegoodworkofmakingallhercompanionsfriends，shedrewthemroundherinalittlearbour，inthatverygardenwhichhadbeenthesceneoftheirstrife，andconsequentlyoftheirmisery;andthenspoketothemthefollowingspeech;whichshedeliveredinsomildavoice，thatitwassufficienttocharmherhearersintoattention，andtopersuadethemtobeledbyheradvice，andtofollowherexampleinthepathsofgoodness。
’Mydearfriendsandschoolfellows，youcannotimaginethehappinessitgivesmetoseeyouthusallsoheartilyreconciled。
Youwillfindthejoyfulfruitsofit。Nothingcanshowsomuchsenseasthustoownyourselvesinfault;forcouldanythinghavebeensofoolishastospendallyourtimeinmisery，ratherthanatoncetomakeuseofthepoweryouhaveofmakingyourselveshappy？Nowifyouwilluseasmanyendeavourstoloveasyouhavehithertodonetohateeachother，youwillfindthateveryoneamongstyou，wheneveryouhaveanythinggivenyou，willhavedouble，nay，Imaysayeighttimes（asthereareeightofyou）thepleasure，inconsideringthatyourcompanionsarehappy。Whatistheendofquarrels，butthateveryoneisfrettedandvexed，andnoonegainsanything！Whereasbyendeavouringtopleaseandloveeachother，theendishappinesstoourselves，andjoytoeveryonearoundus。Iamsure，ifyouwillspeakthetruth，noneofyouhavebeensoeasysinceyouquarrelled，asyouarenowyouarereconciled。Answermehonestly，ifthisisnottruth。’
HereMissJennywassilent，andwaitedforananswer。Butthepoorgirls，whohadinthemtheseedsofgoodwilltoeachother，althoughthoseseedswerechokedandoverrunwiththeweedsofenvyandpride;asinagardenthefineststrawberrieswillbespoiledbyrankweeds，ifcareisnottakentorootthemout;
thesepoorgirls，Isay，nowstruckwiththeforceoftruth，andsorryforwhattheyhaddone，letdropsometears，whichtrickleddowntheircheeks，andweresignsofmeekness，andsorrowfortheirfault。Notlikethosetearswhichburstfromtheirswolleneyes，whenangerandhatredchokedtheirwords，andtheirproudheartslabouredwithstubbornnessandfolly;whentheirskinsreddened，andalltheirfeatureswerechangedanddistortedbytheviolenceofpassion，whichmadethemfrightfultothebeholders，andmiserabletothemselves;——No！Farothercausehadtheynowfortears，andfardifferentwerethetearstheyshed;theireyes，meltedwithsorrowfortheirfaults，letfallsomedrops，astokensoftheirrepentance;but，assoonastheycouldrecoverthemselvestospeak，theyallwithonevoicecriedout，’Indeed，MissJenny，wearesorryforourfault，andwillfollowyouradvice;whichwenowseeisowingtoyourgoodness。’
MissJennynowproducedabasketofapples，whichshehadpurchasedoutofthelittlepocket—moneyshewasallowed，inordertoprove，thatthesamethingsmaybeapleasureorapain，accordingasthepersonstowhomtheyaregivenaregoodorbad。
Thesesheplacedinthemidstofhercompanions，anddesiredthemtoeat，andenjoythemselves;andnowtheyweresochanged，thateachhelpedhernextneighbourbeforeshewouldtouchanyforherself;andthemomenttheyweregrownthusgoodnaturedandfriendly，theywereaswell—bred，andaspolite，asitispossibletodescribe。
MissJenny’sjoywasinexpressible，thatshehadcausedthishappychange;norlesswasthejoyofhercompanions，whonowbegantotastepleasures，fromwhichtheiranimositytoeachotherhadhithertodebarredthem。Theyallsatlookingpleasedontheircompanions;theirfacesborrowedbeautyfromthecalmnessandgoodnessoftheirminds;andallthoseuglyfrowns，andallthatill—naturedsourness，whichwhentheywereangryandcrosswerebuttooplainintheirfaces，werenowentirelyfled;jessamineandhoneysucklessurroundedtheirseats，andplayedroundtheirheads，ofwhichtheygatherednosegaystopresenteachotherwith。
Theynowenjoyedallthepleasureandhappinessthatattendthosewhoareinnocentandgood。
MissJenny，withherheartoverflowingwithjoyatthishappychange，said，’Now，mydearcompanions，thatyoumaybeconvincedwhatIhavesaidanddonewasnotoccasionedbyanydesireofprovingmyselfwiserthanyou，asMissSukeyhintedwhileshewasyetinheranger，Iwill，ifyouplease，relatetoyouthehistoryofmypastlife;bywhichyouwillseeinwhatmannerIcamebythiswayofthinking;andasyouwillperceiveitwaschieflyowingtotheinstructionsofakindmamma，youmayalllikewisereapthesameadvantageundergoodMrs。Teachum，ifyouwillobeyhercommands，andattendtoherprecepts。AndafterIhavegivenyoutheparticularsofmylife，Imustbegthateveryoneofyouwill，somedayorother，whenyouhavereflecteduponit，declareallthatyoucanrememberofyourown;for，shouldyounotbeabletorelateanythingworthrememberingasanexample，yetthereisnothingmorelikelytoamendthefuturepartofanyone’slife，thantherecollectingandconfessingthefaultsofthepast。’
AllourlittlecompanyhighlyapprovedofMissJenny’sproposal，andpromised，intheirturns，torelatetheirownlives;andMissPollySucklingcriedout，’Yesindeed，MissJenny，I’lltellallwhenitcomestomyturn;sopraybegin，forIlongtohearwhatyoudid，whenyouwasnobiggerthanIamnow。’MissJennythenkissedlittlePolly，andsaidshewouldinstantlybegin。
Butasinthereadingofanyone’sstory，itisanadditionalpleasuretohavesomeacquaintancewiththeirpersons;andasI
delightingivingmylittlereaderseverypleasurethatisinmypower;Ishallendeavour，asjustlyasIcan，bydescription，tosetbeforetheireyesthepictureofthisgoodyoungcreature：
andinthesameofeveryoneofouryoungcompany，astheybegintheirlives。
THEDESCRIPTIONOFMISSJENNYPEACE。
MissJennyPeacewasjustturnedoffourteen，andcouldbecalledneithertallnorshortofherage;butherwholepersonwasthemostagreeablethatcanbeimagined。Shehadanexceedingfinecomplexion，withasmuchcolourinhercheeksasisthenaturaleffectofperfecthealth。Herhairwaslightbrown，andcurledinsoregularandyeteasyamanner，asnevertowantanyassistancefromart。Hereyebrows（whichwerenotofthatcorrectturnastolookasiftheyweredrawnwithapencil）andhereyelasheswerebothdarkerthanherhair;andthelatterbeingverylong，gavesuchashadetohereyesasmadethemoftenmistakenforblack，thoughtheywereonlyadarkhazel。Togiveanydescriptionofhereyesbeyondthecolourandsize，whichwasperfectlythemedium，wouldbeimpossible;exceptbysayingtheywereexpressiveofeverythingthatisamiableandgood;forthroughthemmightbereadeverysinglethoughtofthemind;fromwhencetheyhadsuchabrightnessandcheerfulness，asseemedtocastalustreoverherwholeface。Shehadfineteeth，andamouthansweringtothemostcorrectrulesofbeauty;andwhenshespoke（thoughyouwereattoogreatadistancetohearwhatshesaid）thereappearedsomuchsweetness，mildness，modestyandgoodnature，thatyoufoundyourselffilledmorewithpleasurethanadmirationinbeholdingher。ThedelightwhicheveryonetookinlookingonMissJennywasevidentinthis，thatthoughMissSukeyJennettandMissPattyLockitwerebothwhatmaybecalledhandsomergirls（andifyouaskedanypersonsincompanytheiropinion，theywouldtellyouso）yettheireyeswereadirectcontradictiontotheirtongues，bybeingcontinuallyfixedonMissJenny;for，whileshewasintheroom，itwasimpossibletofixthemanywhereelse。Shehadanaturaleaseandgentilityinhershape;andallhermotionsweremorepleasing，thoughlessstrikingthanwhatiscommonlyacquiredbytheinstructionofdancingmasters。
SuchwastheagreeablepersonofMissJennyPeace，who，inherusualobligingmanner，andwithanairpleasingbeyondmypowertoexpress，attherequestofhercompanionsbegantorelatethehistoryofherlife，asfollows：
THELIFEOFMISSJENNYPEACE。
’MyfatherdyingwhenIwasbuthalfayearold，Iwaslefttothecareofmymamma，whowasthebestwomanintheworld，andtowhosememoryIshalleverpaythemostgratefulhonour。Fromthetimeshehadanychildren，shemadeitthewholestudyofherlifetopromotetheirwelfare，andformtheirmindsinthemannershethoughtwouldbestanswerherpurposeofmakingthembothgoodandhappy;foritwasherconstantmaxim，thatgoodnessandhappinessdweltinthesamebosoms，andweregenerallyfoundtolifesomuchtogether，thattheycouldnoteasilybeseparated。
’Mymotherhadsixchildrenbornalive;butcouldpreservenonebeyondthefirstyear，exceptmybrother，HarryPeace，andmyself。
Shemadeitoneofherchiefcarestocultivateandpreservethemostperfectloveandharmonybetweenus。MybrotherisbutatwelvemontholderthanI;sothat，tillIwassixyearsold（forsevenwastheageinwhichhewassenttoschool）heremainedathomewithme;inwhichtimeweoftenhadlittlechildishquarrels;
butmymotheralwaystookcaretoconvinceusofourerrorinwranglingandfightingaboutnothing，andtoteachushowmuchmorepleasureweenjoyedwhilstweagreed。Sheshowednopartialitytoeither，butendeavouredtomakeusequalinallthings，anyotherwisethanthatshetaughtmeIowedarespecttomybrotherastheeldest。
’Beforemybrotherwenttoschool，wehadsethoursappointedus，inwhichweregularlyattendedtolearnwhateverwasthoughtnecessaryforourimprovement;mymammaherselfdailywatchingtheopeningofourminds，andtakinggreatcaretoinstructusinwhatmannertomakethebestuseoftheknowledgeweattained。
Whateverwereadsheexplainedtous，andmadeusunderstand，thatwemightbethebetterforourlessons。Whenwewerecapableofthinking，wemadeitsomucharuletoobeyourparent，themomentshesignifiedherpleasure，thatbythatmeansweavoidedmanyaccidentsandmisfortunes;forexample：mybrotherwasrunningonedaygiddilyroundthebrinkofawell;andifhehadmadetheleastfalsestep，hemusthavefallentothebottom，andbeendrowned;mymamma，byasignwithherfingerthatcalledhimtoher，preservedhimfromtheimminentdangerhewasinoflosinghislife;andthenshetookcarethatweshouldbothbethebetterforthislittleincident，bylayingbeforeushowmuchoursafetyandhappiness，aswellasourduty，wereconcernedinbeingobedient。
’MybrotherandIoncehadaquarrelaboutsomethingastriflingasyourappleofcontention;and，thoughwebothheartilywishedtobereconciledtoeachother，yetdidourlittleheartsswellsomuchwithstubbornnessandpride，thatneitherofuswouldspeakfirst;bywhichmeansweweresosillyastobebothuneasy，andyetwouldnotusetheremedythatwasinourownpowertoremovethatuneasiness。Mymammafounditout，andsentformeintohercloset，andsaid，\"Shewassorrytoseeherinstructionshadnobettereffectonme;for，\"continuedshe，\"indeed，Jenny，Iamashamedofyourfolly，aswellaswickedness，inthuscontendingwithyourbrother\"Atear，whichIbelieveflowedfromshame，startedfrommyeyesatthisreproof;andIfixedthemontheground，beingtoomuchoverwhelmedwithconfusiontodaretoliftthemuponmamma。Onwhichshekindlysaid，\"Shehopedmyconfusionwasasignofmyamendment。Thatshemightindeedhaveusedanothermethod，bycommandingmetoseekareconciliationwithmybrother;forshedidnotimagineIwasalreadysofargoneinperverseness，asnottoholdhercommandsasinviolable;butshewaswilling，formygood，firsttoconvincemeofmyfolly。\"
Assoonasmyconfusionwouldgivemeleavetospeak，onmykneesIgaveherathousandthanksforhergoodness，andwentimmediatelytoseekmybrother。Hejoyfullyembracedthefirstopportunityofbeingreconciledtome;andthiswasoneofthepleasantesthoursofmylife。Thisquarrelhappenedwhenmybrothercamehomeatabreaking—up，andIwasnineyearsold。
’Mymamma’sprincipalcarewastokeepupaperfectamitybetweenmeandmybrother。Irememberonce，whenHarryandIwereplayinginthefields，therewasasmallrivuletstoppedmeinmyway。Mybrother，beingnimblerandbetterabletojumpthanmyself，withonespringleapedover，andleftmeontheothersideofit;butseeingmeuneasythatIcouldnotgetovertohim，hisgoodnaturepromptedhimtocomebackandtoassistme;and，bythehelpofhishand，Ieasilypassedover。Onthismygoodmammabidmerememberhowmuchmybrother’ssuperiorstrengthmightassistmeinhisbeingmyprotector;andthatIoughttoreturntousemyutmostendeavourstoobligehim;andthatthenweshouldbemutualassistantstoeachotherthroughoutlife。Thuseverythingthatpassedwasmadeuseoftoimprovemyunderstandingandamendmyheart。
’IbelievenochildeverspenthertimemoreagreeablythanIdid;
forInotonlyenjoyedmyownpleasures，butalsothoseofothers。
Andwhenmybrotherwascarriedabroad，andIwasleftathome，thatHEwaspleased，mademefullamendsforthelossofanydiversion。thecontentionsbetweenus（whereourparent’scommandsdidnotinterfere）werealwaysexertedinendeavourseachtoprefertheother’spleasurestoourown。Mymindwaseasyandfreefromanxiety;forasIalwaystookcaretospeaktruth，Ihadnothingtoconcealfrommymamma，andconsequentlyhadneveranyfearsofbeingfoundinalie。Foronelieobligesustotellathousandotherstoconcealit;andIhavenonotionofanyconditionsbeingsomiserable，astoliveinacontinualfearofdetection。Mostparticularly，mymammainstructedmetobewareofallsortsofdeceit;sothatIwasaccustomed，notonlyinwordstospeaktruth，butalsonottoendeavourbyanymeanstodeceive。
’Butthoughthefriendshipbetweenmybrotherandmewassostronglycultivated，yetweweretaught，thatlyingforeachother，orpraisingeachotherwhenitwasnotdeserved，wasnotonlyafault，butaverygreatcrime;forthis，mymammausedtotellus，wasnotlove，buthatred;asitwasencouragingoneanotherinfollyandwickedness。Andthoughmynaturaldispositioninclinedmetobeverytenderofeverythinginmypower，yetwasInotsufferedtogivewayeventoTHISinanunreasonabledegree。OneinstanceofwhichIremember。
’WhenIwasaboutelevenyearsold，IhadacatthatIhadbredupfromalittlekitten，thatusedtoplayroundme，tillIhadindulgedforthepooranimalafondnessthatmademedelighttohaveitcontinuallywithmewhereverIwent;and，inreturnformyindulgence，thecatseemedtohavechangeditsnature，andassumedthemannerthatmoreproperlybelongstodogsthancats;foritwouldfollowmeaboutthehouseandgardens，mournformyabsence，andrejoiceatmypresence。And，whatwasveryremarkable，thepooranimalwould，whenfedbymyhand，losethatcautionwhichcatsareknowntobepossessedof，andeatwhateverIgaveit，asifitcouldreflectthatImeantonlyitsgood，andnoharmcouldcomefromme。
’IwasatlastsoaccustomedtoseethislittleFrisk（forsoI
calledit）playingroundme，thatIseemedtomisspartofmyselfinitsabsence。Butonedaythepoorlittlecreaturefollowedmetothedoor;whenaparcelofschoolboyscomingby，oneofthemcatchedherupinhisarms，andranawaywithher。Allmycriesweretonopurpose;forhewasoutofsightwithherinamoment，andtherewasnomethodtotracehissteps。Thecruelwretches，forsport，astheycalledit，hunteditthenextdayfromonetotheother，inthemostbarbarousmanner;tillatlastittookshelterinthathousethatusedtobeitsprotection，andcameandexpiredatmyfeet。
’Iwassostruckwiththesightofthelittleanimaldyinginthatmanner，thatthegreatgriefofmyheartoverflowedatmyeyes，andIwasforsometimeinconsolable。
’Myindulgentmammacomfortedwithoutblamingme，tillshethoughtIhadsufficienttimetoventmygrief;andthen，sendingformeintoherchamber，spokeasfollows：
’\"Jenny，Ihavewatchedyoueversincethedeathofyourlittlefavouritecat;andhavebeeninhopesdaily，thatyourlamentingandmelancholyonthataccountwouldbeatanend。ButIfindyoustillpersistingrieving，asifsuchalosswasirreparable。
Now，thoughIhavealwaysencouragedyouinallsentimentsofgoodnatureandcompassion;andamsensible，thatwherethosesentimentsarestronglyimplanted，theywillextendtheirinfluenceeventotheleastanimal;yetyouaretoconsider，mychild，thatyouarenottogivewaytoanypassionsthatinterferewithyourduty;forwheneverthereisanycontentionbetweenyourdutyandyourinclinations，youmustconquerthelatter，orbecomewickedandcontemptible。If，therefore，yougivewaytothismelancholy，howwillyoubeabletoperformyourdutytowardsme，incheerfullyobeyingmycommands，andendeavouring，byyourlivelyprattleandinnocentgaietyofheart，tobemycompanionanddelight？Norwillyoubefittoconversewithyourbrother，whom（asyoulostyourgoodpapawhenyouweretooyoungtoknowthatloss）Ihaveendeavouredtoeducateinsuchamanner，thatIhopehewillbeafathertoyou，ifyoudeservehisloveandprotection。Inshort，ifyoudonotkeepcommandenoughofyourselftopreventbeingruffledbyeveryaccident，youwillbeunfitforallthesocialofficesoflife，andbedespisedbyallthosewhoseregardandloveareworthyourseeking。Itreatyou，mygirl，ascapableofconsideringwhatisforyourowngood;forthoughyouarebutelevenyearsofage，yetIhopethepainsI
havetakeninexplainingallyouread，andinansweringallyourquestionsinsearchofknowledge，hasnotbeensomuchthrownaway，butthatyouaremorecapableofjudging，thanthoseunhappychildrenare，whoseparentshaveneglectedtoinstructthem。Andtherefore，farthertoenforcewhatIsay，remember，thatrepiningatanyaccidentthathappenstoyou，isanoffencetothatGodtowhomIhavetaughtyoudailytoprayforalltheblessingsyoucanreceive，andtowhomyouaretoreturnhumblethanksforeveryblessing。
’\"Iexpecttherefore，Jenny，thatyounowdryupyourtears，andresumeyourusualcheerfulness。Idonotdoubtbutyourobediencetomewillmakeyouatleastputontheappearanceofcheerfulnessinmysight。Butyouwilldeceiveyourself，ifyouthinkthatisperformingyourduty;forifyouwouldobeymeasyouought，youmusttryheartilytorootfromyourmindallsorrowandgloominess。Youmaydependuponit，thiscommandisinyourpowertoobey;foryouknowIneverrequireanythingofyouthatisimpossible。\"
’Aftermymammahadmadethisspeech，shewentouttotakeawalkinthegarden，andleftmetoconsiderofwhatshehadsaid。
’ThemomentIcametoreflectseriously，Ifounditwasindeedinmypowertorootallmelancholyfrommyheart，whenIconsidereditwasnecessary，inordertoperformmydutytoGod，toobeythebestofmothers，andtomakemyselfablessingandacheerfulcompaniontoher，ratherthanaburden，andthecauseofheruneasiness，bymyfoolishmelancholy。
’Thislittleaccident，asmanagedbymymamma，hasbeenalessontomeingoverningmypassionseversince。
’Itwouldbeendlesstorepeatallthemethodsthisgoodmotherinventedformyinstruction，amendment，andimprovement。Itissufficienttoacquaintyou，thatshecontrivedthateverynewdayshouldopentomesomenewsceneofknowledge;andnogirlcouldbehappierthanIwasduringherlife。But，alas！whenIwasthirteenyearsofage，thescenechanged。Mydearmammawastakenillofascarletfever。Iattendedherdayandnightwhilstshelayill，myeyesstartingwithtearstoseeherinthatcondition;
andyetIdidnotdaretogivemysorrowsvent，forfearofincreasingherpain。’
HereatricklingtearstolefromMissJenny’seyes。Shesuppressedsomerisingsobsthatinterruptedherspeech，andwasabouttoproceedinherstory，when，castinghereyesonhercompanions，shesawhersorrowhadsuchaneffectuponthemall，thattherewasnotoneofherhearerswhocouldrefrainfromsheddingasympathisingtear。Shethereforethoughtitwasmorestrictlyfollowinghermamma’spreceptstopassthispartofherstoryinsilence，ratherthantogrieveherfriends;andhavingwipedawayhertears，shehastenedtoconcludeherstory;whichshedidasfollows：
’Aftermymamma’sdeath，myAuntNewman，myfather’ssister，tookthecareofme;butbeingobligedtogotoJamaica，tosettlesomeaffairsrelatingtoanestatesheispossessedofthere，shetookwithhermyCousinHarriet，heronlydaughter，andleftmeunderthecareofthegoodMrs。Teachumtillherreturn。AndsinceI
havebeenhere，youallknowasmuchofmyhistoryasIdomyself。’
AsMissJennyspokethesewords，thebellsummonedthemtosupperintothepresenceoftheirgoverness，whohavingnarrowlywatchedtheirlookseversincethefray，hadhithertoplainlyperceived，thatthoughtheydidnotdaretobreakoutagainintoanopenquarrel，yettheirheartshadstillharbouredunkindthoughtsofoneanother。ShewassurprisedNOW，asshestoodatawindowinthehallthatoverlookedthegarden，toseeallherscholarswalktowardsherhandinhand，withsuchcheerfulcountenances，asplainlyshowedtheirinwardgoodhumour。Andasshethoughtpropertomentiontothemherpleasureinseeingthemthusaltered，MissJennyPeacerelatedtohergovernessallthathadpassedinthearbour，withtheirgeneralreconciliation。Mrs。
TeachumgaveMissJennyalltheapplauseduetohergoodness，saying，sheherselfhadonlywaitedalittlewhile，toseeiftheirangerwouldsubside，andlovetakeitsplaceintheirbosoms，withoutherinterferingagain;forTHATshecertainlyshouldotherwisehavedone，tohavebroughtaboutwhatMissJennyhadsohappilyeffected。
MissJennythankedhergovernessforherkindapprobation，andsaid，thatifshewouldgivethemleave，shewouldspendwhattimeshewaspleasedtoallowthemfromschoolinthislittlearbour，inreadingstories，andsuchthingsassheshouldthinkaproperandinnocentamusement。
Mrs。Teachumnotonlygaveleave，butverymuchapprovedofthisproposal;anddesiredMissJenny，asarewardforwhatshehadalreadydone，topresideoverthesediversions，andtogiveheranaccountinwhatmannertheyproceeded。MissJennypromisedinallthingstobeguidedbygoodMrs。Teachum。Andnow，soonaftersupper，theyretiredtorest，freefromthoseuneasypassionswhichusedtopreventtheirquiet;andastheyhadpassedthedayinpleasure，atnighttheysunkinsoftandsweetrepose。
MONDAY。
THEFIRSTDAYAFTERTHEIRREPENTANCE;AND，CONSEQUENTLY，THEFIRST
DAYOFTHEHAPPINESSOFMISSJENNYPEACEANDHERCOMPANIONS。
Earlyinthemorning，assoonasMissJennyarose，allhercompanionsflockedroundher;fortheynowlookedonherasthebestfriendtheyhadintheworld;andtheyagreed，whentheycameoutofschool，toadjournintotheirarbour，anddivertthemselvestilldinner—time;whichtheyaccordinglydid。WhenMissJennyproposed，ifitwasagreeabletothemtohearit，toreadthemastorywhichshehadputinherpocketforthatpurpose;andastheynowbegantolookuponherasthemostproperpersontodirectthemintheiramusements，theyallreplied，Whatwasmostagreeabletoherwouldpleasethembest。Shethenbegantoreadthefollowingstory，withwhichweshallopentheirfirstday’samusement。
THESTORYOFTHECRUELGIANTBARBARICO，THEGOODGIANTBENEFICO，ANDTHELITTLEPRETTYDWARFMIGNON。
Agreatmanyhundredyearsago，themountainsofWaleswereinhabitedbytwogiants;oneofwhomwastheterrorofallhisneighboursandtheplagueofthewholecountry。Hegreatlyexceededthesizeofanygiantrecordedinhistory;andhiseyeslookedsofierceandterrible，thattheyfrightenedallwhoweresounhappyastobeholdthem。
ThenameofthisenormouswretchwasBarbarico。Anamewhichfilledallwhohearditwithfearandastonishment。Thewholedelightofthismonster’slifewasinactsofinhumanityandmischief;andhewasthemostmiserableaswellasthemostwickedcreaturethateveryetwasborn。Hehadnosoonercommittedoneoutrage，buthewasinagoniestillhecouldcommitanother;neversatisfied，unlesshecouldfindanopportunityofeithertorturingordevouringsomeinnocentcreature。Andwheneverhehappenedtobedisappointedinanyofhismaliciouspurposes，hewouldstretchhisimmensebulkonthetopofsomehighmountain，andgroan，andbeattheearth，andbellowwithsuchahollowvoice，thatthewholecountryheardandtrembledatthesound。
Theothergiant，whosenamewasBenefico，wasnotsotallandbulkyasthehideousBarbarico。Hewashandsome，wellproportioned，andofaverygood—naturedturnofmind。Hisdelightwasnolessinactsofgoodnessandbenevolencethantheother’swasincrueltyandmischief。Hisconstantcarewastoendeavourifpossibletorepairtheinjuriescommittedbythishorridtyrant，whichhehadsometimesanopportunityofdoing;forthoughBarbaricowasmuchlargerandstrongerthanBenefico，yethiscowardmindwasafraidtoengagewithhim，andalwaysshunnedameeting;leavingthepursuitofanyprey，ifhehimselfwaspursuedbyBenefico：norcouldthegoodBeneficotrustfarthertothiscowardspiritofhisbaseadversary，thanonlytomakethehorridcreaturefly;forhewellknewthatacloseengagementmightmakehimdesperate;andfataltohimselfmightbetheconsequenceofsuchabrutaldesperation;thereforeheprudentlydeclinedanyattempttodestroythiscruelmonster，tillheshouldgainsomesureadvantageoverhim。
Ithappenedonacertainday，thatastheinhumanBarbaricowasprowlingalongthesideofacraggymountainovergrownwithbramblesandbrierythickets，takingmosthorridstrides，rollinghisghastlyeyesaroundinquestofhumanblood，andhavinghisbreasttorturedwithinwardrageandgrief，thathehadbeensounhappyastoliveonewholedaywithoutsomeactofviolence，hebeheld，inapleasantvalleyatadistance，alittlerivuletwindingitsgentlecoursethroughrowsofwillowsmixedwithfloweryshrubs。Hitherthegianthasted;andbeingarrived，hegazedabouttoseeifinthissweetretirementanyweresounhappyastofallwithinhispower;butfindingnone，thedisappointmentsethiminaflameofrage，which，burninglikeaninwardfurnace，parchedhisthroat。Andnowhelaidhimdownonthebank，totryifinthecoolstream，thatmurmuredasitflowed，hecouldassuageorslackthefierythirstthatburntwithinhim。
Hebenthimdowntodrink;andatthesametimecastinghisbalefuleyestowardstheoppositeside，hediscoveredwithinalittlenaturalarbourformedbythebranchesofaspreadingtree，withinthemeadow’sflowerylawn，theshepherdFidusandhislovedAmata。
Thegloomytyrantnosoonerperceivedthishappypair，thanhisheartexultedwithjoy;and，suddenlyleapingupontheground，heforgothisthirst，andleftthestreamuntasted。Hestoodforashortspacetoviewthemintheirsweetretirement;andwassoonconvincedthat，intheinnocentenjoymentofreciprocalaffection，theirhappinesswascomplete。Hiseyes，inflamedwithenvytobeholdsuchbliss，dartedafearfulglare;andhisbreastswellingwithmaliceandenvenomedrage，hewithgiganticpaceapproachedtheirpeacefulseat。
ThehappyFiduswasatthattimebusyinentertaininghislovedAmatawithasongwhichhehadthatverymorningcomposedinpraiseofconstancy;andthegiantwasnowwithinonestrideofthem，whenAmata，perceivinghim，criedoutinatremblingvoice，’Fly，Fidus，fly，orwearelostforever;wearepursuedbythehatefulBarbarico！’Shehadscarceutteredthesewords，whenthesavagetyrantseizedthembythewaistneitherhand，andholdinguptohisnearerview，thussaid：’Speak，miscreants;and，ifyouwouldavoidimmediatedeath，tellmewhoyouare，andwhencearisesthattranquilityofmind，whichevenatadistancewasvisibleinyourbehaviour。’
PoorFidus，withlooksthatwouldhavemeltedthehardestheart，innocentlyreplied，thattheywerewanderingthatwaywithoutdesigningoffencetoanycreatureonearth。Thattheywerefaithfullovers;and，withtheconsentofalltheirfriendsandrelations，weresoontobemarried;thereforeheentreatedhimnottopartthem。
Thegiantnownosoonerperceived，fromthelastwordsoftheaffrightedyouth，whatwasmostlikelytogivethemthegreatesttorment，thanwithaspitefulgrinwhichmadehishorriblefaceyetmorehorrible，andinahollowvoice，asloudasthunder，hetauntinglycriedout，’Ho—hoh！You’dnotbeparted，wouldyou？
ForonceI’llgratifythywill，andthoushaltfollowthisthywhimperingfondlingdownmycapatiousmaw。’Sosaying，heturnedhisghastlyvisageonthetremblingAmatawho，beingnownolongerabletosupportherselfunderhiscruelthreats，faintedaway，andremainedinhishandbutasalifelesscorpse。Whenliftinguphiseyestowardsthehillontheoppositeside，hebeheldBeneficocominghastilytowardshim。ThisgoodgianthavingbeenthatmorninginformedthatBarbaricowasroaminginthemountainsafterprey，lefthispeacefulcastle，inhopesofgivingprotectiontowhateverunfortunatecreatureshouldfallintotheclutchesofthissocruelamonster。
Barbarico，atthesightofthefriendlyBenefico，startedwithfear;foralthoughinbulkandstaturehewas，aswehavesaid，thesuperior：yetthatcowardice，whicheveraccompanieswickedness，nowwroughtinhiminsuchamannerthathecouldnotbeartoconfronthim，wellknowingthecourageandfortitudethatalwaysattendthegoodandvirtuous;andthereforeinstantlyputtingFidusintothewalletthathungoverhisshoulder，heflungthefaintingAmata，whomhetooktobequiteexpired，intothestreamthatranhardby，andfledtohiscave，notdaringoncetocasthiseyesbehindhim。
ThegoodBeneficoperceivingthemonster’sflight，andnotdoubtingbuthehadbeenperpetratingsomehorridmischief，immediatelyhastenedtothebrook;wherehefoundthehalf—expiringAmatafloatingdownthestream，forherclotheshadyetborneheruponthesurfaceofthewater。Hespeedilysteppedin，anddrewherout，andtakingherinhisarms，pressedhertohiswarmbosom;andinashortspaceperceivinginherfacethevisiblemarksofreturninglife，hisheartswelledwithkindcompassion，andhethusbespokethetendermaid：’Unhappydamsel，liftupthygentleeyes，andtellmebywhathardfatethouhastfallenintothepowerofthatbarbarousmonster，whosesavagenaturedelightsinnothingbutruinanddesolation。Tremblenotthus，butwithoutfearorterrorbeholdonewhojoysinthethoughtofhavingsavedtheefromdestruction，andwillbringtheeeverycomforthisutmostpowercanprocure。’
ThegentleAmatawasnowjustenoughrecoveredtoopenhereyes：
butfindingherselfinagiant’sarms，andstillretaininginhermindthefrightfulimageofthehorridBarbarico，shefetchedadeepsigh，cryingoutinbrokenaccents，’Fly，Fidus，fly;’andagainsunkdownuponthefriendlygiant’sbreast。Onhearingthesewords，andplainlyseeingbytheanguishofhermindthatsomesettledgriefwasdeeplyrootedatherheart，andthereforedespairingtobringhertoherselfimmediately，thekindBeneficohastenedwithhertohishospitablecastle;whereeveryimaginableassistancewasadministeredtoherrelief，inordertorecoverherlostsense，andtoreconcilehertoherwretchedfate。
