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self, "nothing can be more charming than
my brother, and I think the boy is like
him." So indeed he was, for he resembled
both; but he had a peculiar cast of coun-
tenance which belonged to Fanny.
was not beauty, but something which went
more to the heart, it seemed to say, what
no human countenance can say, "I have
no thought which seeks concealment,'
and though this cannot be, yet the mere
semblance pleases us. If you please,
Ma'am," said Stephen,
"I must take my
boy to see his grandmother. I fear she
would be hurt if she did not see him soon."
True," said Mrs. Finch, I'm sure I
should. I think
I think you had better take him.”

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It was a sweet walk, the young father with his lovely boy, and the fond aunt gazing on him, anticipating the pleasure of the grandmother and grandfather, nor did they overrate the joy their presence would occasion. The neat inmates of the Level Bit clustered eagerly around the newly arrived. Stephen's delight was not without check, for he saw time making inroads on the countenances of both his parents.. It was four years since they had met, and the silent stealing of time's footsteps was visible to the eye of Stephen, and he could not help anticipating, when

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the manly form of his father, and the feminine one of his mother, should be laid in the grave;-yet they shall rise to life and immortality"Thou art musing, boy," said his father, "thou art thinking there's one wanting, and so there is, but I suppose it couldn't be helped." "No,

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Father," said Stephen, and he was glad of this turn given to his thoughts, "Fanny couldn't leave baby, and it was too far to travel with such a young child." Yes, indeed," said his mother, "I should love to see her." "I am come to fetch you,' said Stephen, "I will not be refused, my Fanny has set her heart on having her mother."

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Stephen knew his mother's feelings, and that she needed this assurance, for circumstances had prevented those minute attentions which the rich are able to pay. Their obligations to Michael were great, and had not yet been all discharged, and they felt they had no right to be generous at his expense; therefore he was aware his mother might think he had been negligent, and his heart longed to explain to her and his father, which he took an early opportunity of doing. It was delightful intercourse, which this heart explanation led to. "You have thought I forgot you,

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my dear mother?" "I, Stephen, never, no, never. There's a text in the scripture, My heart showeth me the wickedness of the ungodly,' and when I've been thinking of you, Stephen, my heart showeth me the love of my boy! Now, how could you suppose we expect any thing of you, young housekeepers like you!" "Well, mother, I'm glad ye did me justice, for my heart has yearned after you.' "I'm very glad to hear ye say so, my dear, though I never doubted it; and now I'll show ye something that pleased me greatly, though I could not take it, Stephen. When I came to put the boy to bed, pretty fellow, down dropped a small packet out of his night shift, I observed that it was pinned up very carefully, and when I came to look, it was directed, For my mother Meredith,' and when I opened it, it contained this two pound note, three half crowns, and a sovereign. Now the letter I shall keep, but for the money, I could not, my dear boy; we do not want it, I think it would be wicked to take it." Pray let me see the note, my dear mother, for I knew nothing of this business." No, that's the beauty of the whole; oh, you're a lucky boy, Stephen!" "God has been very good

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to me, mother." "Indeed he has." Fanny's note ran thus:

My dear Mother,

These were gifts to Fanny Kemp when she married, and Fanny Meredith therefore has a right to dispose of them they were laid by for purposes for which they never have been wanted, and I hope they will help you to come to Stephen and your own Fanny. Now the half crowns are for the boys, and the sovereign for Ellen Meredith.

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"But I think its a shame to take it." Now, dear mother, if it would really make you uneasy, lay it out at some future day for the children, but do not refuse Fanny." "Well, my dear, I will do as you say: I think I may be safely guided by him; husband, what do you think?" Why I think I should not like to refuse that sweet young creature, because I believe its a pleasure to her to do us any kindness.' "That it is father-Pray how does Ellen go on at the Valley?" "Why, my dear, very well, but there's been a very disagreeable thing happened lately; Poor Williamson, honest, excellent old creature." "Yes, that he is, I hope nothing has happened to him?" Nothing

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very bad, only he took it into his head to fall in love with poor Ellen, and he said, he supposed she could not fancy him, and to be sure she could not: he has left her every shilling he may die worth, but it has made her place rather uncomfortable to her, because she does not like to see him unhappy, and she talks of leaving. I spoke to her mistress, and she said, poor foolish old man, I'm sorry for him. for him. I replied, I hope you will not think the worse of our Ellen, and she said, poor thing, no, how can she help it? I am sadly vexed Williamson should be so very foolish, though to say truth, he has shown good taste, for Ellen is a nice looking girl." "Indeed she is, though I'm her brother that say it." 66 And why should not a brother speak well of his own sister, my boy?" "I'm sure I cannot tell, mother, its generally reckoned like praising oneself. Good night and good night, and I must go early to the Valley to-morrow, for though I went there first to settle some business for my master, I was so full of my boy, and talking of old times, that I quite forgot it : but it will do as well in the morning." "Pray, Stephen, is it true, a report that I have heard, that your master pays Mrs. Finch a hundred pounds a year?" "Indeed it is: I'm now come with the money in

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