Mr. Lascelles sat reading; and his two daughters leaning over his shoulder, seemed to join him. At the sight of the party, he rose; and, bowing with a dignified grace all his own, he stepped forward, without particularly noticing any one. They filled the four chancel-pews, while the clerk arranged; and, as soon as Mr. Lascelles had put on his surplice, and was within the rail, he motioned with his hand for them to come forward.

After the first address, inquiring whether any one objected, there was a slight rustle, that made every one start; and, to the no small annoyance of Esther and Michael, the whole family of the Jennings's, who had crouched down in a distant pew, now started up, and came forward. They were dressed in all the finery they could collect. This was a sad thing for poor Joe; and it was very doubtful to his brother, if this unexpected meeting would not again unsettle him. However, this was no moment for conjecture; the whole thought was concentrated, and the heart devoted to the sacred subject in which they were engaged.

Mr. Brownrigg knew nothing of these people; but he stood half upright, by the side of his darling niece, and gave her hand to Michael, with an air equally impressive and imposing, as though he would have

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said, there, Sir, I make you a very handsome present ;" and poor Esther was hot and cold, and could scarcely articulate, when she first began. She soon recovered, and said, most solemnly, “I, Esther, take thee, Michael," with a musical and liquid note, and with the reverence and solemn awe, due to him in whose presence she pledged herself, "For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love cherish and to obey till death us do part." Michael spoke with his deep and manly voice, calmly, and slowly, as though he was pleased thus to devote himself to his gentle partner; and, as soon as the service was over, bowing respectfully to Mr. Lascelles, he slipped the hand of the newly betrothed beneath his arm, passed the Jennings's without a single glance, and was far on his way to the Brow, ere the party joined him.

No sooner did Brownrigg overtake him, than he said, "You Sir, what do you mean by running off with my niece?" Michael turned round, smiling, when Brownrigg continued, "but, Sir, you are not married yet.' "Not married?" No; you must come "Are those "They

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back and sign your names." ladies gone yet, Mr. Brownrigg?"

are not in the church, but, they are all gathered round Mr. Joseph under the

Spanish chesnut, and seem amazingly glad to see him." Well, we must leave it," said Michael. "Leave it," said Brownrigg, "I tell you, you must not leave it; you must come and finish it. You see, Esther, he wanted a hole to creep out at." "No, indeed," said Michael, smiling. "But I will explain this to you another time;" and they turned round.

If ever Michael felt awkwardly, this was the moment. He could not explain to Mr. Lascelles, or any one, the cause of this haste; and, when he returned, there was a subdued smile on every countenance, and a triumphant archness on that of Brownrigg, as though he would say, "I have caught them."

Names were at length signed, and the parties returned in good order to the Brow. Joe was constrained to join them; and was offering his arm to Miss Jemima, but awkwardly bidding farewell to Miss Louisa, and promising to come again in the afternoon; Brownrigg slipped the lady's hand beneath his arm; and, looking back upon Joe, said, in a soft tone, "How happy could I be with either, were t'other dear charmer away," and left him in his own lack-a-daysical manner, to find his way to the Brow.

As soon as the general congratulations were offered, as they ascended the hill Michael turned to Mr. Brownrigg, saying; "I should like to consult you about something." Brownrigg nodded, When you will." Betty Smith had slipped by, and was curtsying, with her eyes downcast, as her master passed; and, "The Lord, bless you Sir," in her most respectful tone;" and, Sir, it is all spread, it is all spread in the great parlour." What could be spread, Michael did not know; he supposed Mrs. Finch had given orders. But no, Mrs. Lascelles, whose tender health never permitted her personally to share in the benevolent offices of her husband, was nevertheless with him in spirit, and was continually planning some little kind office. She had She had sent the gardener and her own maid, with flowers and fruits, and little delicacies of every kind, with a neat dessert service; and, at the moment when Mr. Lascelles set out for the church, these willing domestics departed for the Brow. There was a gift for the bride and the bridegroom, a neatly bound pocket bible and prayer-book for each, with the kindest wishes in a blank leaf, and this text in Michael's, "For I know Him, that he will command his children and his household after him," &c.; and in

Esther's, "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."

These kind attentions, so soothing to a grateful mind, were received in genial soil; and the inquiry,' what can we do to show our gratitude to Mrs. Lascelles?' immediately followed. But there was nothing to be done. They could pray for her; but she wanted nothing; and they could only feel, that they were insolvent debtors. But James Brown showed that he was in the secret; for, taking up the finest collection of flowers, said "These are for Mrs. Kemp." Poor Esther was so new to the name, that she thought it was for her mother; and, when it was presented to her, her uncle was obliged to say, There, Esther, child, why don't you take your offering?" and she received it gratefully.

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It required some courage on the part of Michael, in such a mixed circle, to know how to solemnize that day, which he considered as the most important of his life. But he could not rest; it must be; and, after they had eaten their fruit, he rose, and casting his eyes down, he said, "It would be an offensive suspicion, were I to think for a moment, that what I am about to propose could be unpleasing to any one here; our kind friend, Mr. Las