'And who is Charles-the favoured one?' said Mr. Cavendish.

'He is my brother,' replied Helen, as she advanced towards the door; which was, however, opened by Mr. Middleton, who declared himself nearly frozen.

Soon after Charles came in, and on Mr. Middleton's introducing him to Mr. Cavendish, a most formal, though perfectly polite salutation, passed between them; and from that moment a change seemed to have come over Mr. Cavendish, who now appeared silent and thoughtful. Helen felt that this evening would decidedly prove how he intended to act; he could now at least explain himself, if he wished ever so to do. An inward but faithful monitor, whispered 'Ought you to wish it so to to be?' and conscience plainly answered 'No.'

During the evening, Charles maintained his usual easy and pleasing style of conversation; not so Mr. Cavendish; he sat apart and but rarely joined in the subjects discussed; and when he did so, it was evidently by an effort which quickly died away.

'So you see Miss Sinclair,' said Mr. Middleton, 'I brought your brother with me, for as I was coming down through Cambridge yesterday, who should I meet, but he and Markland; so after "much ado about nothing," I pressed him into my service; Markland excused himself, but I dare say we shall soon have him again.'

Mr. Cavendish turned to Charles, 'I think Mr. Sinclair you and Mr. Markland are intimate, though he must be your senior by some years.'

We are,' answered Charles, and I prize his friend

ship very highly.'

6

You have perhaps proved it?'

At this moment I am deeply indebted to him,' an

swered Charles, 'so far perhaps, I may be said to have proved it.'

19 I also know him,' answered Mr. Cavendish, laconically.

'So I have understood,' replied Charles, as though wishing to waive the subject.

"But,' answered Mr. Cavendish, I have not yet proved how far we are friends, possibly you might inform me at your leisure, since you are so exceedingly intimate.'

!

Helen gave Charles an imploring look; but he needed no reminding how far to go; and he replied without the slightest shade of anger.

This I know, that Mr. Markland possesses a high principle of religious and moral rectitude, totally opposed to any subterfuge; nor would he be guilty of ungenerous conduct towards any one: which is more I fear, than we can say of every person we meet with, however great may be their qualifications in other respects.'

Mr. Cavendish's handsome brow darkened, and his lip curled with disdain; but to Helen's inexpressible relief, Mrs. Middleton, who feared higher words might follow, said, Come! let us have some music, Mr. Cavendish Bjot sd tom will you open the pianoforte.'

He obeyed, as it were mechanically, arranged some music, &c., and then returned in moody silence to the fauteuil he had before occupied.

Mrs. Middleton truly pitied Helen as she marked the changing colour in her cheek; and was almost as glad as Helen herself could be, when Mr. Cavendish rose to take his leave.

After shaking hands with Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, and bowing coldly to Charles, he crossed the room to where Helen stood, and said 'Miss Sinclair, I must say farewell, shake hands with me once more.' Helen complied, when he murmured Heaven bless you,' and left the room immediately.

'Upon my word,' said Mr. Middleton, as the door closed, 'what has come to Cavendish? he looks as miserable as though he were going to be hanged; I never saw him in this way all the years I have known him. Miss Sinclair you must solve the enigma.'

He looked round, but Helen had vanished, and was seeking the solitude of her own apartment, to endeavour by prayer and meditation, to tranquillize her perturbed and harassed spirit.

Nor did she supplicate wholly in vain: for whenever did a prayer, uttered with sincerity of heart, fail?-ne

The answer may be one we little expected; and we, in our short-sightedness, may wonder why such things are: but as time flies with noiseless wing over our heads, how often do we find that what we esteemed our greatest trials, eventually proved our greatest blessings.

For if in losing an earthly blessing, (or at least what we fancy such,) God in his infinite mercy, fills up the vacancy with his grace and love: how greatly do we benefit by the exchange; and when we have erred from that "narrow way," and are through His forbearance brought again to see where we "have done amiss," then can we say with the Psalmist, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes."

1

CHAPTER X.

"Oh! how unlike the complex works of man
Heav'n's easy, artless, unencumbered plan !
No meretricious graces to beguile,
No clustering ornaments to clog the pile.
From ostentation, as from weakness free,
It stands like the cerulean arch we see,
Majestic in its own simplicity."

2

COWPER.

:

1

Every day now when the weather permitted, Helen's walks were directed to some cottage, where an acquaintance of her's happened to reside: she took a kind farewell of each, as she paid her last visits; and many a regret was expressed by these her poor friends, who were now to lose Mrs. Middleton's young lady, for as such they generally designated her.

Amongst these, old Jackson was not easily to be forgotten; and one frosty morning, Helen accompanied by the little girls, set off to take leave of the latter.

Every twig and leaf were incrusted with the glittering particles of a hoar frost, which may be styled the foliage of winter; whilst each little brook and rivulet were frozen up.