objection?" Me, Sir. No, Sir; but do you know Mr. Jennings?" "There is a beginning for all things, you know, Sir. I am going to settle in this country, Mr. Kemp, and it is pleasant to be acquainted with our neighbours." Joe could say no more; so, however unwillingly, he was constrained to accept Mr. Brownrigg's company; and, just as the clock struck four, they sallied out together. Old Kemp looked very uneasily at Joe; and Brownrigg, perceiving it, spoke in a sort of half whisper, "don't be uneasy, Sir, I shall not lose sight of this stripling."

Esther had changed her dress, and was in a neat nankeen pelisse, and cambric muslin bonnet, with her dove-coloured cloak upon her arm, waiting Michael's pleasure. Her thoughtful mother had packed all neatly in the chaise-box, and Betty Smith had provided for her master. There was nothing wanting; but lest Joe should give him the slip, Brownrigg had appointed him to hand in his new sister; and, as Joe thought it the post of honour, and never saw far beyond the present moment, he had not the slightest suspicion of Brownrigg's scheme.

Mary Humphries, though quite sensible of the blessing of such a son-in-law as Michael, had that morning parted with her

all, and her heart swelled with distress the more painful, that she was constrained to conceal it. "Ah!" thought she," how I shall miss that dear creature; the first sight my eyes opened on every morning was her dear face, mother, it is time for you to rise."" Margaret Beal saw this; indeed, she dreaded the parting moment, and watched Mary with the kindness of a sister. She got her into the garden, and began to state what a blessing it was that Esther was so well provided for. "Oh yes, I know it, I know it; I am an ungrateful creature, 'tis all selfishness, 'Margaret, but I must weep-you must let me alone." Betty Smith, whose eye was Lupon every one, guessed poor Mary's sorrow, and followed them into the garden.

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Ah!" said she, I knew how it would be, but you know she will be back in a day or two, for master cannot stay long." "I am quite ashamed, Betty, I really am; but if you knew what Esther has been to meMargaret Beal thought it best to leave her to herself; so they kept walking up and down, Mary weeping, till at last, feeling conscious that something was due to Mrs. Kemp and the rest of the party, she returned to the parlour, where they were all assembled. Stephen had been home to fetch his children from a neighbour's, where they had been lodged

for safety; and the little Jemima came as neat as cambric muslin could make her; and the boy in his grey dress, and black hat and feather; and poor Mary was glad of this relief, and began to caress the young ones, taking the little girl upon her knee. The sight of Esther's hem-stitch. round the sleeve of the child's frock recalled all her pleasant activity and willing services: the child, looking in her face, exclaimed, "Oh! Missey Hum, what for you cry? Your tooth ache?" Fanny had been very poorly lately with this complaint, and the young innocent was sympathising. The little Michael, who was a most manly spirited boy, full of imitation and kindness, riggled down from his grandmother's knee, and was off to the kitchen, where, pulling and tugging a small pocket handkerchief, which his mother had fastened firmly between his vest and trowsers, he succeeded in breaking the loop; and, heating it as hot as he could, crumpled it up in his little fat hands, and brought it to Mary. "The dear, kind child!" said Mrs. Finch, what a sensible boy it is!" And Jemima caught his hand. “How came you to think of such a thing?" said she. And Fanny explained it, by saying, he often warmed the handkerchief for her when she had the tooth-ache.

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Dear child, dear sensible child," said

this kind lady," how very pleasing it is to see such infants so feeling." "Yes," said Fanny, and she passed her maternal arm round her boy, and with the other parted the hair on his open forehead, and imprinted a kiss. "He is a kind-hearted little poppet, and his mother loves him, how dearly who can tell." Mrs. Finch guessed; "That tall boy," said she, looking at James, and stretching out a hand to Michael, "was once a pet boy like you.' Oh," said the young one, I am not mother's pet, I am mother's man;" and he drew up to make as much of himself as he could. Little Jem is mother's pet." "Yes, I are,” said the little one; and she nestled her head into ber mother's lap, mother's lap, and kissing her arms, while the mother looked delight on éach.

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Where habit hath made one being ne

breach.other, time only can heal the

to breach. Thus it was with Mary and Margaret they felt that they should return. to their homes lonely and dull; but, when they considered how mercifully God had appeared for them, and that they were permitted still to comfort and solace each other, they resolved to resist what they were constrained to own was rebellion in a mild form. There were not wanting some to pity Betty Smith, but it was ma

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lignant pity-it was, "Poor Betty, she had a fine time of it, plenty of good things she has fingered; she has had the government in her own hands, she had rendered no account, they dared to say; all the goose feathers, all the hen feathers, she has had plenty." Plenty of what?" Oh, one thing or tother, I don't know what, can't justly say, but every thing, I suppose it will make a great change for she. They supposed Mrs. Kemp would keep her keys now." "Of course she will," said one and another. This ill-natured pity had travelled round, and just before Mary and Margaret went home, the good creature opened her heart, said she was sure her hands were clean, and if they heard any thing, hoped they would clear her, and not give ear to any evil report. Why, do we not know you?" said Margaret, "and have we not always known you?" said Mary. Yes, but who can tell what unjust suspicions might make master think." Ah, Betty," replied Margaret, "I see you have not learnt your lesson perfect; Arn't you to pass through evil report and good report? Is your mistress given to unjust judgment? and has your master ever given ear to unjust reports?" "Never."" Then why should you doubt them now; and if, poor frail

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