RACHEL'S INTIMATION.

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Soon after this, Rachel told Grace, privately, that rather than the young girl should dwell in Vanity against her will, she would have taken her to live with them; but she had not mentioned this plan to herself, perceiving that the separation from them, her kind fellow-travellers, was what pained her most. And I think," added she, or I am much mistaken, she is not the only one of the party to whom a separation would be grievous."

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No, that she is not," answered Grace; "for I am sure I should be grieved to part from her, and so should we all."

"I believe it," replied Rachel, archly; " and none more so than your brother."

"Ah! do you think so?" said Grace.

Her companion nodded.

Grace. Well, it is probable enough; and I wonder it never struck me before. But they are both so young!

Rachel. They are so, and the maiden is portionless. Grace. Very true; but I should not mind that, for she is virtuous, wise for her years, and, above all, devout; and Solomon has pronounced that the value of such a wife is "far above rubies."

Here the conference was interrupted by the en

trance of its object, looking cheerful again, now that it was decided she was not to be parted from her friends.

Grace took an opportunity that evening of speaking to Luke on the subject, who confessed that their friendly landlady was right in her surmises.

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I did not intend to have any concealments from you, dear sister," continued he, "knowing that both you and Paul ever have my happiness at heart; but I was myself scarcely aware of my attachment till the idea of her departure from us revealed it to me: nor have I as yet spoken to her of it."

Grace expressed all she thought on this matter with her usual kind and sisterly feeling, and offered to speak for him first to Myra respecting it, to which he assented. She did so, and soon perceived, by the blush of surprise that mantled her cheek and the sudden joy sparkling in her downcast eyes, that the communication was as agreeable as it was unexpected to her young and innocent heart.

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Then I may give my brother hope that his affection will not be unrequited?" asked Grace.

"Yes," replied Myra; "but I hope you do not blame me for feeling this partiality, considering that our acquaintance has been but of short duration."

Grace assured her (with an embrace), that she need have no apprehension of that kind.

I believe it was his being your brother," said Myra, "that first attracted my regard; and another thing, which perhaps you will laugh at me for, helped to win it, by drawing my attention to his amiable disposition."

"What was that?" demanded Grace.

Myra. His good-natured care of my poor little dog on several occasions.

Grace replied, laughing, "You know the old saying, Love me, love my dog.'"

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Myra. Yes, I have often heard it, but do not think it could have applied to me then: so, perhaps, in my case it was, Love my dog, love me." And now we talk of Brisk, I must mention, that the Truemans both told me yesterday they thought it dangerous to take him to the great Town of Vanity, for that he would there be most probably lost or stolen, either of which disasters would vex me extremely, for I could not bear to think the poor little faithful fellow might be suffering ill-usage; therefore, sorry as I shall be to part with him, I think I will give him to Rachel, as she is remarkably fond of him, and I shall be sure of his being kindly treated as long as he lives.

Grace approved of this plan, which was afterwards adopted.

This point settled, they resumed their former conversation. Though Myra (as has been seen) did not attempt to deny her partiality for Luke, she quite agreed with her friend Grace that it would be far better to delay the marriage for some time, on account of his and her own early youth.

"And now that I am to remain with you, and shall see him every day," said she, "I feel quite happy in the assurance of his affection; nor do I fear any fickleness on his part."

Grace. You need not, for his regard for you is founded on a durable basis; not that he is blind or insensible to the beauty of person and grace of manner which you possess, for that were unnatural rather than commendable; but he has too much sense (young as he is) to consider it the principal attraction. He knows that "Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised."

Grace lost no time in giving her brother the pleasing intelligence that his suit had been favourably heard, and he lost none in seeking his beloved, and receiving the confirmation of it from herself.

THEY LEAVE THE INN.

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Paul congratulated him with cordial friendship, saying, “He thought he would never find reason to repent of following his example;" and the good couple of the house wished them both joy, fully participating in the satisfaction of their guests.

And now I saw in my dream that the appointed day arrived for the departure of the pilgrims from that hospitable roof where they had been so kindly entertained, and which they quitted with equal gratitude and regret, in which latter sentiment their worthy host and his wife truly shared. She was highly pleased with the gift of Myra's dog, who was, however, carefully kept out of the way at the time of his young mistress leaving the house. Trueman gave Paul a letter to take to his kinsman, who, he said, lived in Quiet Street, and his name was Right-mind. Rachel gave them a basket of fine pears and apples to refresh them on the way; and after an affectionate leave-taking, the four travellers set forth. Paul and Grace walking first, and Luke and Myra following. I then observed what I had not noticed before, that the sign of the inn was the Bird's Nest. There was nothing very striking in the country around, which was more level than that they had previously traversed, but smooth and easy for walking; and