birthday; and may every succeeding one, find you further advanced in that course, which alone tends to happiness.'

Helen's eyes expressed much, but her heart was too full to waste its thanks in words; she could only articulate a hope, that she might long enjoy Mrs. Middleton's

confidence.

'I hope so,' replied Mrs. Middleton; 'the link that now draws us together, is, I trust, made of too lasting materials to be easily disunited."

'Many happy returns of the day,' said the little girls, who now entered, with pleasure beaming on their faces. 'I like happy returns,' cried Adelaide, jumping about in the excess of her glee; 'there is always something to be pleased about;' and she went away, singing happy re

turns.

A birthday to Helen, was always "a day to be remembered;" and so it ever should be: for its return speaks with a solemn and a warning voice. We may fondly hope that many will succeed, yet how know we "what a day may bring forth." A birthday tolls the knell of a year gone, never to return; but it has gone on the wings of time, to render its account, how spent, to the Searcher of all hearts. The span of life is so much shorter; and though time rolls on its noiseless current to the fathomless ocean of eternity, how few heed its rapidity.

Mankind glide on with fatal perseverance, in the ceaseless pursuits of earth; and will take no heed to the

friendly voice, which would implore them to provide a haven, wherein to end their voyage in safety. There is but one hope-one way. Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life:" and they who slight him, must perish in the quicksands of sin; for he saith " no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

This is a case, in which there is no alternative; and whilst we admit the dread reality of this awful truth, does not the christian's heart bleed, when he contemplates his fellow men, rushing wilfully to destruction ? But to return to Helen : - she was aroused from her meditations by hearing the dressing bell; and began to prepare for dinner, with many a wish, that the family had been alone as usual.

On descending into the drawing room, she found that only two gentlemen had arrived. These were Sir Charles Wheatley and Mr. Cavendish; who were engaged in an animated discussion with Mr. Middleton, upon some parliamentary business then in agitation. Sir Charles was advanced in years, but Mr. Cavendish was a young and fine looking man; and Helen thought his manners very pleasing, as he politely and immediately addressed his conversation to her, in the finely modulated tones of a peculiarly musical voice.

Other guests speedily arrived. Some of the ladies scarcely deigned Helen a look; others vouchsafed a distant and chilling bow to the 'companion.'

The present party were all nearly total strangers to

Helen; and also persons whom Mrs. Middleton herself visited, solely to oblige her husband: their pursuits being but little in accordance with her own. enjoy tent

Helen reproached herself once, as she felt the colour rise; when, upon being introduced to Lady Glenville, she was met by a stare of feigned surprise. Why should I care? thought she; it is better for me it should be thus; and the momentary feeling of anger vanished.

Mr. Cavendish who stood near saw the insult, though he could scarcely define the reason it was offered; and as he took a seat by Helen's side, reprobated in rather sarcastic terms, the behaviour he had just witnessed.

'Indeed, I do not mind it,' said Helen, with the utmost naïveté.

I cannot so easily forgive her,' answered he, 'and Lady Glenville shall hear of it from me, ere many days are past. She is generally considered an elegant woman; but the grace of politeness, appears to be wanting on her visiting list.'

'Pray oblige me,' said Helen, 'by forgetting this trivial affair, it is what I must expect.'

He looked with an expression of unfeigned surprise; but ere a remark could be made, dinner was announced; and much to the astonishment of many in the room, Sir Charles Wheatley offered his arm to Helen, who modestly accepted it, whilst the facetious old Baronet joked Mr. Cavendish upon his loss.

When the little girls entered for dessert, they greeted

Sir Charles and Mr. Cavendish, as old friends. Mr. Cavendish called Adelaide to him; and whispered, 'who is that young lady?' 'She is Miss Sinclair,' said Adelaide, 'and this is her birthday.'

But who is Miss Sinclair?'

Why she helps mamma to teach us; and we all love her very much.'

'No wonder either,' said he sotto voce 'but do you know where she comes from?'

'No,' said Adelaide, 'not quite, for when we asked her about home one day, when mamma was out, she cried, so Louisa and I say nothing about it now; but she has a mamma, and some sisters, I know.'

Mr. Cavendish smiled at the earnestness of his young informant; but Mrs. Middleton happening at that moment to conjecture what might be the tenour of his enquiries, beckoned Adelaide to her side, thus preventing any further questioning.

'How do you like this part of the country?' said Mr. Cavendish to Helen, as he joined her in the drawing

room.

'Very much' answered she, 'though I have not yet seen it to advantage; for it was the latter end of the autumn when I came; and it rained incessantly.'

'If you are an admirer of scenery,' continued he, 'I should say that Scotland would delight you with its "banks and braes"; I was there some months in the autumn, but perhaps you are better acquainted with it,

:

than myself: Sinclair is a sweet name, quite associated

with Scottish feelings and ideas.”

'I believe I was once in Edinburgh when quite a

6

child;' answered Helen, 'but I remember it very indistinctly.' Then you do acknowledge yourself a Scotch lassie,' replied he, 'I wonder how it is, that Scotch women are generally prettier than their English neighbours.'

Helen laughed, but rejoined, 'It is not every one who would be so candid though as to yield them the palm; we Englishwomen must, however, do so to many besides the Scotch; and it really is kind,' continued Helen archly, of the good natured to remind us of the fact.' He bit his lip, and adroitly changing the conversation, talked upon every subject that he deemed likely to interest his auditor; speaking upon each, with the grace and ease of one, who understands well what he undertakes to elucidate.

I

They were more interested in the discussion than Helen herself was aware of, when Sir Charles Wheatley joined them, and requested her to sing. I have asked several ladies,' said he, 'but not one can, or will sing, to oblige an old man; will you refuse me, Miss Sinclair?

Helen would rather have declined complying with his request, but without hesitation she began a song, though a degree of timidity, which she in vain endeavoured to shake off, threatened to impede her voice. Mr. Cavendish, however, unasked, took a second; and thus ably