supported, she gradually gained more confidence, and sung even better than usual.

'I do not admire English songs,' said a lady who sat near; 'I am quite tired of Mrs. Hemans' strains, they are so common now; and unless they are sung well,' continued she, (glancing at poor Helen, who had just concluded one of that lady's sweetest songs) 'they are really intolerable.' Helen heard the whole remark; and endeavoured quietly to effect her escape, but Mr. Cavendish prevented her, saying, 'Do give us an Italian song, for I see you have plenty here; your style of voice would suit them, and perhaps Mrs. Thoreton may like them better,' continued he, looking at the lady in question, with a curl of the lip, very nearly amounting to a

sneer.

'I would rather not sing again,' said Helen earnestly, 'do pray excuse me.'

'Well,' replied he, smiling, 'you beg so imploringly that I really cannot press the point, merely for my own gratification; but to make me amends, you must do me the honour of playing a game of chess with me. Cards I believe are never allowed here, at least, in the lady's room.' 'If they were,' answered Helen, 'the challenge would be useless, for I cannot play, and do not intend to learn.'

'Indeed! what has my good friend Mrs. Middleton enrolled you in her corps?'

Helen looked very grave, and was about to answer,

D

when he said, 'do not mistake me :-Mrs. Middleton is a great favourite of mine ;--but which men do you pre fer, red or white?' said he, as he placed the chess table in a proper position; whilst Mrs. Thoreton continued to play most vehemently, in a kind of double Herz style. When the last chord was struck upon the piano, apr plauses echoed through the room:-such thought Helen are the hollow praises bestowed by the world. zamoo bed

'I have your queen,' said Mr. Cavendish to Helen, who had been looking off: you have lost it through inattention. The game was now nearly in his own hands; and they continued talking, until victory appeared once more on Helen's side; 'c'est la mienne!' said she rather triumphantly. Nous verrons,' he replied, smiling, I never was vanquished by a female antagonist.' Sir Charles Wheatley, who was standing behind Helen's chair, said, with some emphasis, 'Then I sincerely wish Miss Sinclair may prove the champion of her sex; and after vanquishing you, punish you with your own wea pons.' Mr. Cavendish bowed assent, but with a peculiar expression of countenance that Helen in vain endea voured to define; but which implied that something more was meant than met the ear. Whatever might be the import of the words, the person to whom they were addressed was evidently annoyed; and the game being concluded, he rose and left Helen with Sir Charles. - Erd At length the party dispersed, evidently to the satisfaction of Mrs. Middleton; who looked pale and wearied.

Will you not join us to night love?' said she, to Mr.

Middleton as they were we leaving the room. old No my my dear, I am am too sleepy.'

Mrs. Middleton sighed whilst she and Helen repaired to the library, where the domestics always assembled for prayepasiq et no

It was very late ere Helen had retired to rest, and had composed her mind for serious reflection; for she was fully convinced that the prayer of the lip, without that of the heart, is of no avail. True, she had united in family prayer; but now she had to supplicate for grace, to spend the time which might yet be allotted to her, more to the praise of Him, who had preserved her through the past year.

Thoughts of her last birthday-of the home she had left and of her present blessings-followed in rapid succession through her mind; until they gradually assumed a shadowy indistinctness; and composed her to sleep.

Had she been that evening where religion was the chosen theme; and where the fear of God predominated above the love of the world, and all its fleeting dreams; it would have greatly assisted, instead of retarded her devotional feelings. Who then can affirm, with any truth, that what is termed pleasure, by the world, can go hand in hand with true piety?

Mr. Adams, in his work entitled 'Private Thoughts,' speaking of human nature, justly observes, "It is like a

bad clock, it may go right now and then, or be made to strike the hour; but its inward frame is to go wrong."

Surely then, it behoves us to be careful, lest we further impede the hand, which is stretched forth to put this derangement in order; and which will, unless we ourselves prevent it, gradually bring the whole into the utmost harmony and perfection.

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Although Mrs. Middleton was not one who blazoned forth her good deeds, Helen was sometimes her almoner, in administering to the necessities of the afflicted and distressed; thus she became more intimately acquainted with the individual character of the poorer class around Oakwood, than might otherwise have been the case.

One lovely morning, the children, as a pretext for a longer walk than usual, begged that a commission might be given them.

'Then Miss Sinclair shall take Betty Wilson half-acrown,' said Mrs. Middleton; 'for it is too long a walk for me, so go and see whether she feels inclined to go with you.' Adelaide soon re-appeared, with Helen ready equipped for a walk; and they set out in high spirits. Oh! those joys of childhood how sweet they are; who cannot remember, or rather who can forget, the delight afforded by the first violets and cowslips; even a gay