and those who do, learn the lesson but imperfectly. Well has it been observed that the good know not their own goodness, nor the wicked their own sinfulness."

"Of course you consider actions the truer test of reality in religion, the proof of right feeling, just as works are the proof and fruit of faith."

"Undoubtedly, Ion,-if I see acts of faith, of charity, of penitence, I can believe the existence of those virtues in the agent, though he may scarcely dare to hope that these Christian graces exist in his heart. You remember, I dare say, the words of a living writer, that in the judgment we shall be asked, 'What didst thou do?' and not, ‘What didst thou feel?' That it will be of no avail to urge that we felt sorrow for our sins, if we never acted the part of the penitent by confession, by severity, by self-denial;-that we felt pity for the poor and suffering, if we never relieved them. That when we stand before the great white throne, and the Evil One produces his accusations against us, our many sinful deeds, our acts of omission and commission, our pride, our selfishness, it will not avail us to urge what we have believed, when the Judge will ask, 'What hast thou done? and that it is a fearful saying, when in reply to our urgent cry, 'Thy faith!' CHRIST shall inquire 'Thy works ?'"

"Yet persons have come to despise dogmatic truth in these days," said Ion, "because they do not understand the connection between right principles and right practice. Gilbert cannot see the importance of that connection, and it is sad to think that he drove away the only friend who was likely to have any good influence with him."

Ah, by the by, Ion, what is become of the Loudons, they seem to have left this neighbourhood altogether."

"Yes, they intend to reside in London; and the

Doctor has fully consented to his son's desire of taking Orders in fact he discovered that Gilbert had had some hand in causing the disunion between them, and when his guardianship was at an end, he declined having any more acquaintance with the Dudleys, and took James into his favour again."

"I am rejoiced to hear it, he will induce his family at least to respect his opinions. I am very glad that your sister does not encourage Mr. Dudley in his attentions, he would be no fit husband for her; I should fancy it a great annoyance to her, for he never seems to understand that his wishes are not always to be gratified. Do you think she will hold firm ?"

'Oh, yes, Mr. Bernard, I have no fear of it; he is scarcely the character to be loved against one's convictions."

"Well, she is an interesting character; I think there is a great deal of earnestness and rightminded feeling about her; very like your friend Clement, they have just the same tendencies. I am glad to see that she does justice to that poor boy, Jack, for he has enough to bear from his more immediate relations."

"Yes, Jack is much happier now, I think, in feeling that he is better understood by Margaret; she has his greatest confidence. I am thankful to see her improving; I did not know on my return to England that I should have a sister with whom I could sympathise so fully in every thought and pursuit."

Margaret indeed had had a painful struggle with her own feelings, but now she was beginning to feel the encouragement of progressive conquest over self. Outwardly calm and self-controlled, her manner proclaimed nothing of the deep earnestness with which she endeavoured to subdue her natural inclinations to her positive duty. This was re

served for silence and solitude: the stars in their quiet watchings, alone of created things, might know her mournful vigils; the night alone would tell of tears and prayers in which she sorrowed for the past, and implored strength for the future. She was conscious now that she had been sitting in judgment on the faults of another, while she was herself following his steps. She had despised Gilbert for his selfishness, yet what was the indulgence of her natural haughtiness, of her proud contempt for weakness and error, but an emanation of the same, different perhaps in its manifestation, yet radically the same. And now how continual must be the discipline she practised, the efforts of self-sacrifice she must make to attend uncomplainingly to the perpetual requirements of her aunt, which were exacted until they became almost unsupportable to her proud spirit. How difficult was the task of submission when her dearly-prized solitude was invaded, and the studies to which she had devoted the energies of her clear young mind, could only be pursued at irregular intervals, and all this must be submitted to for the amusement of one whose ideas were so every way dissimilar as Mrs. Dudley's, and who was fidgety, unintellectual, exacting, and extremely tenacious of attention. Alice, too, was no companion,-a spoilt child, with no ideas beyond the limits of fashion and society; while Gilbert, in his most agreeable moods, was more annoying in her present state of feeling towards him than when, sullen and contemptuous, he took no notice of her existence.

But Margaret felt that she had abundant cause for encouragement to perseverance; Ion's sympathy, in itself, was beyond what she had ever hoped for on earth; and Jack's regard seemed to make him like a charge to her, and, like all responsibilities, with its burden brought strength to the support of it.

CHAPTER XXI.

"O dearest, dearest boy! my heart

For better lore would seldom yearn,
Could I but teach the hundredth part
Of what from thee I learn."

WORDSWORTH.

"PLEASE, Ion, are you very busy?"

Ion pushed away his writing materials, for he was inditing an answer to one of Clement's desponding letters from that place of his exile, London. And as he raised his head, and met Ken's loving eyes, as the little one climbed to his knee, the shade passed from his face, and he replied, "Darling little Mouse! not busy if you want me.'

"Oh, I am so glad, because I should like to ask you some things, and if you were very busy, I should waste your time in trying to make you understand."

"Does it take so long to understand thee, little one ?"

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Oh, Ion, I do like it so much when you say 'thou,' it sounds so kind, as they say it in dear old Germany. But you always understand me, dear Ion, only this is not exactly about me, and I don't like to ask you, for fear you should laugh and think it stupid."

"Well, I will promise not to laugh, and I dare say it will not be stupid,-come, Mousie, tell me."

"Oh, please, let me hide here, and I shall not see if you laugh," and the boy's pale face was nestled on his brother's shoulder, and the small hands clasped round his neck; "and Ion, if you will not mind, don't ask me, who I mean.”

"No, I will not intrude on your confidence, little bashful one; why if Con were here, he would indeed call you my baby boy."

"If you will let me be, Ion, I do not mind. I want to know, darling brother, if you could love me, if I were very, very stupid ?"

"Yes, dear boy, but I don't like you merely intellectually."

"But you do like people intellectually ?"

"Yes, sometimes, when there is often nothing else in them to like. Why are you asking, little Mouse, do you doubt that you are not a very little sage yourself? But I beg your pardon, I forgot that I am to ask no questions. And then about being very, very stupid, no one can be that, while he loves GOD and man."

"But I suppose every one does not think that being wise, and everybody knows whether they can learn things or not. But I am so glad you say you could love me if I could not learn, and you would not be ashamed of me, lieber Bruder ?"

"Ashamed of thee, my child! No, that would be wicked; love would teach thee something, and thou mightst know as the angels know, though thou couldst not read a line of this world's learning."

“Ah, you mean, how to serve GOD, and that is everything," and Ken lifted up his face, flushed with eager joy, "I always thought Jack was better than being clever."

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'Why, Mousie, I thought you did not mean to tell me whom your inquiries concerned."

Ken looked astonished, opening his star-like eyes with perplexity. "Oh, Ion, did I say, Jack?