for the only destination to which their education had pointed was marriage, and of that there seemed no being called on to fill. crammed with romantic

probability of their Their heads were notions, their per

sons decorated beyond their station, their conversation consisted mostly of weak, short sentences, delivered in a decisive tone, only intercepted by a vacant laugh, sometimes very good, sometimes abominable, shocking, horrid, equally inapplicable, so that they were unfit to teach and unwilling to learn, not an uncommon state. The heart of Mrs. Lascelles might be said to yearn over them; she felt that the blame was with their parents, and thought it hard that they should thus suddenly be thrust into the world without a hand to guide or direct them. After supper, as she sat in converse with her husband, " but these Miss Jennings', my dear, if you do not think them competent to the care of boys, what can they do?" "That must be your concern, my love; I have not the most remote idea how to provide for ignorance and indolence."

The following morning Esther Humphries brought home some dresses for the Misses Lascelles. As she was leaving the room she said, "Madam, two young ladies called on me to look at dresses, but I did

not take the liberty of showing Miss Lascelles' without your leave." "Oh, my good girl, that was all very right and proper, but give you leave to show any thing of mine or my daughters, if it can be of the slightest service to you; but I did not know there were any young ladies in this village." "Ma'am, their name was Jennings." "Did they give you any orders?" "They desired to see some dresses.' Very extraordinary; when was this pray?" "Yesterday morning, ma'am.' "Very extraordinary, said Mrs. Lascelles musing. Poor Esther was afraid she was making mischief, and repeated that she did not shew them.

My good girl, if you had I should not have had the slightest objection. But I cannot understand how young women in the situation of the Misses Jennings could have any orders to give you." The matter grew visibly worse, and poor Esther fearing she was doing some one an injury, begged Mrs. Lascelles to take no notice of what she had said. The young ladies perhaps had only called for curiosity; she hoped she should not do them any injury in her good opinion by what she said; in short, every word she uttered deepened Mrs. Lascelles's view of her innocence and benevolence, and we may say she never lost that good opinion which Mrs. L. formed of her during this short interview.

As the innocent girl returned home Fanny Meredith met her: she had the tears in her eyes, and Fanny said, "Well, Esther, what's the matter?" She curtsied and replied, Nothing of any consequence."

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Oh, but my good girl, do tell me; remember you speak to a friend." "I really do believe its not of the least consequence." "You believe, you don't know?" "I really don't;" and she smiled through her tears. "Well, you know we women are very curious, and I must know what is the matter." The simple girl related her tale, and said she feared she had done hurt to those ladies by telling Mrs. Lascelles. "You

should have asked her not to mention it." "I did, ma'am, and she promised she would not. I certainly intended no wrong, but I saw madam did not approve." "My good girl, Mrs. Lascelles feels as a mother towards us all; if you were to do wrong, if I were to do wrong, she would be grieved; but she has no anger against us, Esther. As for the Miss Jennings's, I don't think she knows much of them, for they are not religious girls; but would it ease your mind if I were to go and tell her you were grieved you had prejudiced her against them?" "Oh, yes, it would." Well then I'll go, and do you take the little girl." Esther took the child, and waited the return of her mediating friend.

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Mrs. Lascelles was crossing the hall to go up stairs when she saw Fanny through the glass door, and her condescending hand was immediately extended to open it. "Sweet lady," said Fanny to herself, "no more pride than a baby. "What were you saying, Mrs. Meredith?" "Nothing of any consequence; I was only taking the liberty to love you, Madam." "Dear, good creature, I love to be loved."

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"You

But, Madam, I'm come on very urgent business; for poor Esther is greatly afraid she has done something wrong this morning." "She has done something which has filled me with admiration of her simplicity and feeling; I never saw so much of her before, nor ever liked her half so well." Then, Madam, will you promise me to say nothing to the Miss Jennings's of what poor Esther said to you?" may tell her she may rely upon me. It is a rare thing for Miss J. and I to meet, but it has so happened that I saw her father yesterday, and something that passed then led me to express surprise that Miss Jennings's should employ a mantua-maker : this is all. Pray tell poor Esther to let her heart rest." "Good morning, Madam; and Fanny Meredith soon joined Esther and her baby.

After relating what Mrs. Lascelles had

promised; "now, Esther, let your heart rest, for you are as secure as though you had never opened your lips.' "Thank you,

dear, kind friend, you've been a comfort to me indeed, and so you have ever since I knew you. Was it not you who showed the baby's frock I made to Mrs. Lascelles, and who got me four shirts to make for Mr. Kemp? I never shall forget the favours you have done me." "Why, child, while you work as neatly as you have done, you never will want work; people are always glad to get their things well done, you know; and, besides, you serve the Lord, Esther, and he never suffers his people to want." "Well, good day to you, Mrs. Meredith; my mother will wonder where I've been."

Mrs. Humphries did wonder, and was really glad to see her girl return; her love for this young creature bordered on idolatry, which is not very wonderful, for she had always been very amiable, and since she had become religious, her conduct had been almost blameless. She might really be said to adorn the doctrine of God her Saviour. 66 Well, child, and what could keep ye so long?" She related the whole to her mother, and how uneasy she had been. Ah," said her mother, "a close tongue maketh a wise head." "Why now

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