MY LITTLE LADY. 66 BY THE AUTHOR OF ERSILIA." THE TIMES. "There is a great deal of fascination about this book. The au thor writes in a clear unaffected style. She has a decided gift for depicting character; while the descriptions of scenery scattered up and down the book convey a distinct pictorial impression to the reader. The scenes in Florence are singularly rich in local colouring and picturesque details. All this part of the narrative is very interestingly told. It reads like the experiences of actual life." MORNING POST. 'My Little Lady,' is at once one of the most remarkable and the most interesting tales which has been for some time submitted to the public. In every quality of conception, construction, and working out of a tale, there is conspicuous fitness and ample capability." DAILY NEWS. “We are pleased to be able to class the authoress of 'My Little Lady' among the successful novelists of the day. The creation of a new and charming personage is too rarely achieved not to excite approbation." STANDARD. "A novel of more than ordinary merit with which our readers should not fail to make themselves acquainted. It is the work of a cultivated and clever woman. She has given us in it a charming and original study of a girl's character." PALL MALL GAZETTE. "This book is full of life and colour. The characters are well phrased and consistent throughout. The scenes on which the incidents are severally laid portray the experiences of a mind well stored to begin with, and quick to receive impressions of grace and beauty. Finally, there is not a line in it that might not be read aloud in the family circle." ATHEN EUM. "It is an agreeable task to record a book which can be read with genuine pleasure. The aim of the story is high, and its moral excellent; and the 'Little Lady' is thoroughly worthy of her name." SATURDAY REVIEW. "This story presents a number of vivid and very charming pictures. Indeed, the whole book is charming. It is interesting in both character and story, and thoroughly good of its kind." HURST & BLACKETT, Publishers, 13, Great Marlborough Street. HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1876. All rights reserved. 251. d. 85. ERSILIA. PROLOGUE. E who writes these pages, searching HE through the dimness of the separating years for the memories of his youth, feels like one who, sailing from his native shores in darkest night, presently sees the day break once more over the grey waters, and the well-loved land rise dream-like from the waves. To that lonely watcher, looking back with forlorn eyes, perhaps, with an inexpressible longing in his heart, the mists seem all at once to lift, to melt away, revealing a |