weakness, to comfort his family by his pre

sence.

It was one morning after a night thus spent, that they were all assembled in the library, and Mr. Lascelles saying that he must return either on the morrow or on the following day, that our reverend friend, with his hand in Protheroe's, and Sophia with her little work, now and then laying it down and looking upon him, he said, "I have a strange proposal to make; I am so poor a creature, that I cannot long expect to keep my wealth; and how often have I censured misers for holding their bags till the last moment. I was thinking," said he, "Sophia," turning to his wife," of inviting a man to rob rie;" then pausing for a minute, and seeing that surprise and wonder sat on the face of each, he said, Perhaps it might be as well to give it away, at least it would be more creditable to me, and I would do it now while I have legal people about me.' All this was said so calmly and so gravely, that there was only one person in the circle who understood him; and this quickness of apprehension arose from his eye glancing upon Sophia. At the word treasure she instantly conceived his meaning, for he had often pressed her hand, and used this expression. Protheroe was in that

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sort of state hardly knowing where his eyes should rest; when his uncle spoke of legal men, he thought he meant himself; he fancied he was about to make his will, but he looked at Sophia, and he saw her face crimsoned with blushes, and he began to comprehend it. But here the dear sufferer raised himself slowly on his couch. My dear friend," said he to Mr. Lascelles, you know that this young man has long been my son, like the twin brother of my dear Edmund, and he has wished to bind himself by a closer tie, and to become a kind guardian to one, who it is needless to say, is very dear to me; and I had intended myself to join their hands, to pronounce the nuptial benediction; but it seems otherwise ordered. As you are now here, I have a proposal to make to marry them by special licence in my sick room, that my soul may bless them before I die." 66 Oh, my dear father!" said Sophia, "it must not, cannot be. Protheroe also rose, and said, My dear Sir, at such a moment I do not, cannot wish it." Softly, children," said the dear good man, "I am not going to part with Sophy; here she must abide, Protheroe; that's one of my stipulations; but I have settled it in my mind, unless you have altered your's, my good Protheroe." Oh, my

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dearest uncle!" and here he looked at Sophia, as though he would have said, You know it is impossible.'

There were difficulties attending the procuring of the special licence, and the time pressed; so it was at length determined they should go to church, and the ceremony should be again performed in the library, that the presence of the beloved father, might sanctify the scene. We may

say, this was an affecting wedding, they rejoiced with trembling; Sophia and Protheroe were sincere Christians, and they both took the same view of the pathetic circumstances which hung over their union; they felt that they were eating of the Lord's passover with bitter herbs. Though it

were to be wished that such seasons as these might be unclouded, yet, truly speaking, it is in harmony with the state of man, whose enjoyments and sorrows are so blended as truly to be called a chequered scene. The dear father felt this, and more than ever exerted himself to dispel that cloud which he knew his own sickness occasioned; and when they returned from church, they found him, with every thing around him, so arranged under his own direction, that but for his pallid hue and recumbent posture, one might have thought him well. And when he

joined their hands, his countenance wore such an air of tender interest as he said, "the Lord bless you," that even Mr. Lascelles shed tears.

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Jane Kemp, who so far partook of the family character as to do most things well, came curtsying respectfully, and walking up to her mistress, as though she bore happy tidings, in a half whisper, said, My brother Michael is come, ma'am.' Mr. Lascelles caught the sound of the word Michael, and began to fear that something painful had occurred, in which he was concerned, and was greatly relieved when he heard her say, "Ma'am, my brother had such a desire to see master;' and Mr. Walker looking at his wife, said, "what is that, love?" "Our old friend. the blackberry gatherer," said Edmund, looking at Protheroe. "Well, this is pleasant," said one," this is pleasant," said another, and he was welcomed by all from the heart. "Let us see him," said Mr. Walker. "As soon as he has taken some refreshment, take care of him, Jane;" and the bride rose and cut him a slice of cake. seems but the other day, Sophy," said Edmund, "that you and I were at Fanny Kemp's wedding, and here we are now at your's, my dear." Protheroe, who stood leaning over the back of Sophia's chair,

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said, "And when are we to come to your's, Edmund?" "That I cannot say, That I cannot say, I shall be very particular." A simper ran through the circle as he said this, and Mr. Lascelles looked on him with an enquiring eye. Edmund, who was not aware he was listened to by any but Protheroe and Sophy, looked a little put out by the general notice, and seemed to shrink into himself for a moment. ""Tis a very important change," said Mr. Lascelles," and I blame no man for being particular, the colour of his life here, and it may be that which is to come depends upon it.' Dear Mr. Walker, whose patient attention had been unbroken during the whole of this little converse, said, in soliloquy, "Ah! most true! most true!-What do we not owe to it?" and then looking at his wife, Ah, Sophy, you know how in the early part of our union your kind hints were axioms, and your influence my guiding star; and all this," looking at Mr. Lascelles," without any assumption of consequence. During this sweet compliment, the eye of Protheroe rested on Sophia, for he thought it highly probable that he should receive the same kind support from her principles which her father had received from her mother's: it is true, he had had a very different education, but then he was

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