She saw her fold a soft, delicate garment about the
cold form of her sister, at the same time saying, in reproving tones, to
herself, "This is not the only time you have left your sister alone in
the cold and cared for yourself. The sin of selfishness is great, and the
gods will succor the innocent and punish the offender."
She closed, and was rising, with Truth in her arms, to the skies, when
Error gave such a loud shriek that Astrea dropped her, and a strong
current of air took the goddess out of sight. It was well for the earth,
which might have been forever in darkness, that Truth was dropped,
though hard for her.
Error awoke from her dream, which seemed more real than her elegant
surroundings, and resolved to go in search of Truth when the morning
came; but a blinding storm of snow and sleet, and the remonstrance of
the family, added to her own innate love of ease, left Truth uncared
for by one whose duty it was to seek her.
The days glided into weeks, and yet Error remained, much to the wonder
of the poorer neighbors around, that Mrs. Highbred should encourage and
keep such a companion for her daughters. They could see at a glance that
Error was superficial, that she possessed no depth of thought or feeling;
and their wonder grew to deep surprise when they saw all the gentry for
miles around giving parties in honor of her. Everywhere she was flattered
and adored, until she became, if possible, more vain and full of her own
conceit.
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