sparency. Yet her wasted countenance retained its serenity; and her feeble voice still spoke the accents of cheerfulness.

My dearest Ellen," said she, "this is so kind! And yet I expected it too! I knew you would come."

Blushing at praise which my tardy kindness had so ill deserved, I hastily inquired concerning her health. "I believe," said she smiling, though she sighed too, "that I am still to cumber the ground a little longer. I am told that my immediate danger is past."

"Heaven be praised," cried I, with fervent sincerity,

"God's will be done," said Miss Mortimer. "I once seemed so near my haven ! I little thought to be cast back upon the stormy ocean; but, God's will be done."

Nay, call it not the stormy ocean," said I. 66 Say rather, upon a cheerful stream, where you and I shall glide peacefully on together. You will soon be able to come to us at Richmond, and then I will shew you all the affection and all the respect which"-" I ought always to have

shewn," were the words which rose to my lips; but pride stifled the accents of confession. "Were you once able," continued I, "to taste the blessed air that stirs all living things so joyously to-day, and see how all earth and heaven are gladdened with this glorious sunshine, you would gain new life and vigour every moment."

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Ay he is shining brightly," said Miss Mortimer, looking towards her darkened casement. "And a better sun too is gladdening all earth and heaven; but I, confined in a low cottage, see only the faint reflection of His brightness. But I know that He is shining gloriously," continued she, the flush of rapture mounting to her face, " and I shall yet see Him and rejoice."

I made no reply. "It is fortunate," thought I," that they who have no pleasure in this life, can solace themselves with the prospect of another." Little did I at that moment imagine, that I myself was destined to furnish proof, that the loss of all worldly comfort cannot of itself procure this solace; that the ruin of all our earthly prospects

cannot of itself elevate the hope long used

to grovel among earthly things.

friend; I spent almost two hours with my during which, though so weak that the slightest exertions seemed oppressive to her, she at intervals conversed cheerfully. She inquired with friendly interest into my employments and recreations; but she knew me too well to hazard more direct interrogation concerning the effect of her monitory letter. In the course of our conversation, she asked, whether I often saw Mr Maitland? The question was a very simple one; but my roused watchfulness upon that subject made me fancy something particular in her manner of asking it. It had occur red to me, that she might possibly be able to solve the difficulty which had of late so much perplexed me; but I could not prevail upon myself to state the case directly. "I wonder," said I, "now that you are gone, what can induce Maitland to visit us so often?" I thought there was meaning in Miss Mortimer's smile; but her reply was prevented by the entrance of the maid with refreshments. I wished Barbara a thousand

miles off with her tray, though it contained rich wines, and some of the most costly fruits of the season. Miss Mortimer pressed me to partake of them, telling me, that: she was regularly and profusely supplied. "The giver," said she, "withholds nothing except his name; and that too I be-' lieve I can guess.

A gentle knock at the house-door now drew Barbara from the room, and I instantly began to contrive how I might revert to the subject of my curiosity. "Could you have imagined," said I," that my father was the kind of man likely to attract Maitland so much?"

My enemy again made her appearance. "Mr Maitland is below, Madam," said she, "I asked him in, because I thought you would not turn his worthy worship away. the third time he is come to ask for you."

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Well, Ellen," said Miss Mortimer smiling," as your presence may protect my character, I think I may see him to-day." As Mr Maitland entered the room, I saw my friend make a feeble effort to rise from her seat; and, bending towards her, I sup

ported her in my arms. The moment Maitland's eye fell upon me it lightened with satisfaction. After speaking to my friend he turned to me. "Miss Percy!" said he; and he said no more; but I would not have exchanged these words, and the look which accompanied them, for all the compliments of all mankind. Yet at that moment the spirit of coquetry slept; for I quite forgot to calculate upon his love, and thought only of his approbation.

I believe neither Maitland nor I recollected that he still held the hand he had taken, till Miss Mortimer offered him some fruit, hinting that she suspected him of having a peculiar right to it. A slight change of colour betrayed him, but he only answered carelessly, that fruit came seasonably after a walk of seven miles in a sultry day. "You never travel otherwise than on foot on Sunday," said Miss Mortimer. "I seldom find occasion to travel on Sunday at all," answered Maitland; " but I knew that I could spend an hour with you without violating the spirit of the fourth commandment.