On a small round table were, very prettily arranged,
various little knicknacks and curiosities, which Elizabeth always
laughed at, such as a glass ship, which was surrounded with miniature
watering-pots, humming-tops, knives and forks, a Tonbridge-ware box,
a gold-studded horn bonbonniere, a Breakwater-marble ruler, several
varieties of pincushions, a pen-wiper with a doll in the middle of
it, a little dish of money-cowries, and another of Indian shot, the
seed of the mahogany tree, some sea-eggs, a false book made of the
wreck of the Royal George, and some pieces of spar and petrifactions
which Helen had acquired on an expedition to Matlock with the
Stauntons. The book-shelf, however, was to Anne the most attractive
object in the room; and whilst Helen was untying the strings of her
portfolio, she went up to it.
'What a beautiful little Bishop Wilson!' exclaimed she, taking out
one of the books.
'Yes,' said Helen with a sigh, 'that was dear Mrs. Staunton's last
present to me before I left Dykelands. She said that perhaps she
should not see me again before I was confirmed, and it was the
fittest Godmother's gift she could find.
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