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pleasure he felt, in seeing his sisters; who in their turn, were delighted to perceive how completely happy and at home he felt himself......

They remained a fortnight at Holme Park, enjoying themselves exceedingly; Helen was delighted with the taste displayed in the garden; and as Edward had predicted, she did think the library one of the most delightful rooms, she had ever seen.

'It is more suitable though for a lady,' said Henry Arundel, when Helen was admiring its arrangement. So I think,' said Colonel Graham smiling, and I hope Henry that my niece, when she comes, will like it,'

Henry shook his head; and the Colonel turning to Helen, continued 'I want that wilful boy to find a wife; and he tells me, he has never yet met with any lady to suit him; I hope Miss Sinclair, you will convince him such a fastidious taste is altogether erroneous.'

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Mr. Arundel was, or pretended to be, busied in searching for a book; and now letting some fall, with no slight degree of noise; succeeded (if such was his intention) in turning the conversation into another channel...

The young people generally spent their mornings in riding or walking, sometimes in visiting the poor of the adjoining village, of which the greater part belonged to Colonel Graham; and a cheerful evening, spent in vari ous innocent recreations, was always closed with reading and prayers.

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It was a beautiful sight to observe the old soldier, and his venerable sister, surrounded by their young friends, engaged in thus recommending religion by precept and example. The Colonel himself, usually read the portion of scripture selected for the evening's devotion; and clear, though concise, were his explanations, upon any passage, he deemed the domestics might not understand. Thus happily they lived, depending upon the only firm basis, upon which true cheerfulness and contentment can be founded; "for her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

Helen always appeared to be Colonel Graham's favourite, although he constantly evinced how highly he esteemed Sophia; who was not, generally speaking, so easily understood as her more lively sister Helen Sophia's feelings were under more perfect controul, and she was naturally rather silent, and with some persons reserved: yet beneath this apparent coldness, beat a heart warm and alive to every kindly feeling.

In some respects, Mr. Arundel might be said to re semble Sophia; but which sister he preferred, if indeed he gave a preference to either, remained best known to himself; though he certainly talked more to Sophia than Helen, who more than once observed him silently disten ing to her conversation; and when he did speak, it was very frequently to dissent from her opinion, apparently for the sole purpose of hearing all she had to say upon the subject in discussion.

At length, they took a reluctant farewell of their kind friends; and bid adieu to Holme Park, with a promise that they would revisit it ere long.

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"Hope, when nursed by affection, is rendered doubly sanguine."

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In order to avoid prolixity, I must take advantage of the usual privilege given to narrators; and pass over a period of about two years, with much greater rapidity than has been used hitherto. Charles Sinclair was now in possession of a fellowship, residing principally in college, and enjoying a tolerable income; which now gave him the ability to gratify the wish he had formerly entertained, of occasionally making handsome presents to his mother, in the way of pecuniary assistance. Edward, partly from natural taste, but chiefly from a romantic wish to follow the steps of his patron, had chosen the army for his future destination; and was at Sandhurst; thus Mrs. Sinclair now found herself enabled to procure many comforts, before denied by the narrow limits of her income.

Sophia and Helen frequently visited at Holme Park; and Mr. Arundel had several times ridden over to pay

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his respects to Mrs. Sinclair; as for Helen, she once or twice felt quite uneasy at the evidently scrutinizing eye with which he appeared to regard her every action; whilst he and Sophia gradually became almost like brother and sister. He likes Sophy, thought Helen, but he does not like me I am certain: so with this decision as regarded Mr. Arundel's feelings towards them, she remained perfectly satisfied.

To do Helen justice, we must own that she was greatly improved by constant intercourse with Sophia; her character and disposition had acquired more stability; and in gaining a tinge of Sophia's thoughtfulness, she had lost a portion of that dangerous faculty, (when too much indulged in) namely, that of giving a couleur de rose to every trifling incident; and being ready to despond when the false and fading tints disappeared in the shades of disappointment.

An imaginative disposition, when uncontrolled by a higher power than mere human efforts, frequently proves a snare to the possessor. It casts a glowing lustre over coming events, which does not really belong to them; and when reason once more exerts her power, the enchantment is at an end, all appears darker from the contrast, and we are then in danger of running immediately into the opposite extreme.

Helen Sinclair felt where she had erred, and now rested less upon her own feelings, and more on that "Rock" which can never be moved: thus there was at present more consistency in her character, and consequently, more peace in believing; for the path of indecision is, and ever must be, productive of evil, since it is highly displeasing to the Almighty.

The two years which had passed away had been unmarked by any great events; but their tenour had been even and happy. Mrs. Sinclair's health was again firmly established, which added not a little to their thankfulness towards the "Giver of all good," for the blessings bestowed upon them.

Helen was deeply grieved, still to find Mrs. Middleton complaining in her letters of being far from well; and in a short time she received another, saying, that as it was now near the holidays, Mrs. Middleton hoped that she would again visit Oakwood; particularly, she added, as you assured me in your last, not any thing now would prevent you from enjoying yourself with us.

Helen readily accepted the invitation, having by prayer and efforts, not a few, wholly conquered those feelings she wished never to have experienced.

That Mr. Cavendish still remained unmarried, she knew; but nearly two years had passed, and Helen resolved and felt that she could now meet him as the mere casual acquaintance of a former time.

Accordingly, she once more reached Oakwood, then flourishing in all the beauty and verdure of summer's luxuriant foliage. Her eye wandered rememberingly o'er each well-known spot; and it appeared for a mo

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