of hypocrisy at all, because he found one or two hypocrites. Thus it is frequently seen the tares and the wheat are blended, "let both grow together until harvest;' then shall ye discover between the righteous and the wicked, &c. &c. Journies are frequently fatiguing in themselves, and unless full of novel interest, are doubly so in recital. We will therefore suppose Brownrigg entering the cottage of his sister, and anticipating the pleasure of seeing his niece, to whom he had become greatly attached; however, there was no one at home but Margaret, and he was greatly disappointed to find Esther and her mother out, and half angry to be told they were gone to a lecture at the rectory. He sat fretting and fidgetting, and the more displeased, the more his conscience told him he had no right to be angry. 66 What, don't ye go to church on Sunday? Why, is not that enough? What's the good of having the head crammed with sermons? I am sure, for my part, I can never remember them I hear on Sundays." Margaret was silent, she saw it was no time to reply; but, says the zealous reader, ought she not to have replied? ought she not to have pleaded that cause, in which she was so deeply interested? There is a time for every thing," says 66 the wise man, and in nothing is the time more to be studied than in religious counsel. To convince an angry man, it is wrong to be angry, involves no small difficulty; but to remove prejudice, and anger at once, is a hopeless undertaking, so she simply said, "I am sure, brother, they would not have gone out if they had expected you;' and this little speech, though it made no impression at the moment, sunk upon his heart like an effort of kindness; and if it did not entirely remove his displeasure, he felt it was unjust to be angry with Margaret, who was at home; and while he was planning what he should say to the stragglers, they returned, and Michael Kemp with them. Reader, you have doubtless seen a heavy cloud pass over your head, and a brilliant sun break from behind it in splendour. Poor Brownrigg was so pleased that he was obliged to quit the room, after having shaken hands with Michael, and bid welcome to his sister and niece, and stepping into the garden, relieved his mind by these short exclamations. "Yes, yes, that will do, I like that very much; well, there's no harm, some at the ball, some at the races, some at church; there's no harm at all, only I do not like people to be over religious." Having spent his first emotions of joy, he returned to the cottage, leaving 66 Margaret in some surprise at his sudden good humour. Michael possessed himself very well, and said, "I am glad, Sir, I called this evening; perhaps you will do me the favour of accompanying me home." Why indeed, unless this cottage has been enlarged, Mr. Kemp, I must beg a bed of you;" and he fully expected that Michael would unfold the mystery of his visit. But no, not a word: he little knew the character of our hero, who knowing Brownrigg was rich, and to have made a friend of him in the present instance would have been asking a fortune, and this was a step of which he was incapable. No, he regarded Esther simply for her own worth, and since he found himself not unacceptable to her, had consulted no being but her mother. Greatly was Brownrigg disappointed at Michael's persevering silence, and he hurried down next morning from the Brow, that he might gain intelligence from his Sisters." Very odd, very extraordinary, I think" he muttered to himself as he walked along, "the girl has no father; why, I'm her nearest male relation. Very odd; very extraordinary." Esther met him at the cottage door, and told him how glad she was to see him. He took the first opportunity of her quitting the room, to question his sisters what that young man was there for last night. "Because you are a rich man, brother." rich man ?" "The world says so. "And suppose I am, is that a reason why I am to be treated with no respect?" Mary Humphries now went up to her brother, and taking his hand, said, " "My dear Jonathan, I'm sure Mr. Kemp had but one reason for not speaking to you; he thought it would seem as if he expected a portion with our Esther. Oh, brother, he is not a common young man, I do assure you, he's got such a generous heart." "Well, well, I don't understand it; it's a great deal too fine for me. I should like him to have spoken to me. 1 tell you, I like to be consulted; I've a right." Mary. Most certainly you have. But there is an extreme in most minds; and Mr. Kemp has certainly erred, through fear of selfishness. I wish you could see it in the right light, and then I think you would esteem it. 66 (B.) Well, my dear; well, perhaps I should; and, if he don't choose to speak, why then, you know, I've nothing to answer." Mary. Only let me beg, brother, that you will not be angry with them. B. Oh, no child. Esther came in soon after and put an end to the conversation. Some weeks passed, during which time Brownrigg was busily engaged in planning his cottage. It was certainly not very elegant, but very neat and convenient; but he was much put out, with the prospect of Esther's leaving her mother's wing, for he had made up his mind to have her as an inmate; and, though he loved his sisters, he thought them rather of the gravest. He was a man naturally of a gay spirit; and to be obliged always to think of his words, before he uttered them, was to him slavery. He loved dearly to say a droll thing, and join the laugh it occasioned; he loved to communicate freely, and to be confided in and consulted in return: but the modesty of Esther, and the generosity of Michael, were such barriers as time only could remove; and, after some moments' cogitation, he would close it by uttering aloud, "Well I can't help it; if they won't, they won't." In the mean |