opposed that, I may say, Mr. Priestly and myself are little more than strangers to each other. When I think of the truly awful responsibility of our charge as stewards and ministers of the Word, I tremble for those who in any way desire to overmagnify their office, and for one moment lose sight of the Great High Priest, our Divine Master. Ensamples we should be to the flock; not lords over God's heritage."

"Perfectly so," returned Mrs. Vivian; "and yet how widely these errors are spreading, readily ensnaring the young and the weak."

66

Alas, it is indeed so!" resumed Mr. Graham. "Called to proclaim remission,' these High Churchmen would confer remission of sins; and most true it is that these errors are very widely, aye, and most insidiously spreading themselves, even where we least expect to see them. Satan is permitted to be very busily at work just now among the children of God, but, doubt not, the Lord Jehovah is gathering in, by various ways and means, His own elect. In every age He has drawn out a society of witnesses for Himself, even as in the natural world; and it is my belief firmly that He is now doing so here."

They had by this time reached the parsonage; and Mr. Graham alighting, with repeated thanks, wished Mrs. Vivian good night.

"What a nice, kind creature, Aunt Vivian is!" said Lady Adelaide Forster to Emmeline, as they ascended the staircase to bed on the night in question.

Indeed, Aunt Louisa is always much loved when she is known," returned her cousin; "but you, Ethell, what do you say?" as she turned round upon the first landing leading to Lady Ethell's bed-room to give her a kiss.

"Aunt Vivian is not at all what I thought her!" musingly replied Lady Ethell, returning her cousin's affectionate embrace; "but then, you know, Emmy, I mean by that, from your description, she appears most kind."

"Well, I have promised her we will go and spend another hour at Summerfield before you leave," returned her cousin.

66

Wednesday or Thursday, you will see, we shall take our departure," rejoined the lively Lady Adelaide;" and, indeed, it will be with regret I take leave of Everton; I vote, therefore, that we go on Tuesday to Summerfield." So saying, she followed her into her bed-room, leaving Emmeline to find her own way to her room.

CHAPTER XV.

"Within this flower, to every eye
So little worth, doth hidden lie
Most rare and subtle fragrancy."

S. WILBERFORCE.

"WELL! Isabella writes most joyously. She was always a happy-minded creature, and so thoroughly unselfish! I quite rejoice with her that at length she tells me they have a Home' after having been so long unsettled."

These words were spoken by no other than the venerable Lady Catherine Douglas to her niece Mrs. Montagu, as she laid down on the table, beside her, her letter and her spectacles. Mrs. Montagu, probably our readers may remember, in the early part of our story, as the only sister of Lady Grey, was now with her husband, making her aunt, Lady Catherine Douglas, a visit of a few weeks at the Grange. The post had brought her aunt that morning a long and pleasing letter from Mrs. Vernon an early friend of her own, as well as of her lamented sister's; and it gave Mrs. Montagu as much pleasure as it did her aunt, Lady Catherine Douglas, to hear the pleasant account Mrs. Vernon gave, in her letter,

of herself, her husband, and her little girl. She was delighted at their new acquisition of Ivy Tower by the death of Mr. Vernon's father, and her description of all the occupation she had already embarked herself in, for the good of others, in the way of schools and other improvements, was most glowing and happy.

"Could you not come to us, dear Lady Catherine ? and, dear Emily Montagu," she said, "you would show me how to make Ivy Tower like the Grange; and Emily would assist me in reviving a spirit of religion in our little parish, where, though I find much to interest me, it is but slow work; our clergyman is so dead to anything save bare formality, and being, too, an old man, without any family, there is no one to take an active part in what, I believe, should reign very prominently in the heart of every true believer-the earnest promotion of our Saviour's glory. As I have not yet given up being myself governess to Mildred, you can easily imagine that I have enough on my hands; I do not despair, however, later, being able, when things at home shall be brought into a little more order, to profit by your kind wish to see us at the dear old Grange, though at present it is quite out of the question."

"Isabella then gives up altogether coming here just now, you see, my dear Aunt, which I am sorry for," said Mrs. Montagu, as she returned Lady Catherine her letter. "There is little chance in this case of our being able to go to her, as I

rarely get my dear husband to allow himself a holiday; indeed, he grudges our pleasant days at the Grange; and but that with you we are at no real distance, and he can on pressure ride over to the Rectory, I fear I should less often enjoy the happiness of being with you," and she looked affectionately at her old and respected relative.

"Charles Montagu is my pattern of a clergyman," returned Lady Catherine; "would there were more like him-fervently zealous in their Master's cause! but I am bent on a scheme," and her bright benevolent countenance lightened as she spoke, "I am bent on a scheme, and that is to go-absolutely to comply with with Isabella Vernon's wish to see us. But still more, Emily, if I go you must be my companion, and Charles too, he may very well give himself this holiday. Mr. Leslie, his curate, is all that he can wish, and a fortnight's absence will only do him much good."

"My dear Aunt Catherine this is a brilliant scheme, and just like one of your happy propositions. If my Uncle Douglas consents, and we can get Charles to do the same, it will be charming. But I see the pony chair is at the door; shall I call your maid?

Wallace, Lady Catherine's maid, had lived with her for years; she had had the charge of both Lady Grey and Mrs. Montagu, when, as little orphans, they were first consigned to her excellent lady's care. Well accustomed to her ladyship's usual hour for taking her drive, the faithful creature was ready at the door with