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said, “And when are we to come to your's, Edmund ?” “ 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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greatly exposed in London. The society with which he chiefly mixed were men of talent, close reasoners, and popular men not wanting in a good opinion of themselves; standing high in public esteem, it was in this mirror they regarded their own characters; and though Protheroe was a different man, it is well known we are apt to take the colour of our converse from those among whom we mix; and a sort of consciousness hung over this good young man in his occasional visits to P-, as though it were a different atmosphere. It was all the language of the eye which he spokenow, and as we are privileged to read what passes in the heart, we will just inform our readers that he thought,

never shall the pride of masculine talent close my ear to the gentle whispers of feminine counsel. No, my sweet Sophy, I feel assured you will never improperly usurp; and far be it from me to shun so gentle a monitor.” It may be necessary to explain in what way Mrs. Walker could counsel her husband.

Mr. Walker was the son of a very upright curate' of a neighbouring parish, very much respected by all the neighbouring clergy; and the more so, as he did not go too far in religion. He brought up his three children with the strictest attention to economy, and transmitted his patrimony

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to them untouched. All this was excellent in its place, and we may say of him, that he shone, but he did not burn; his religion had the outward polish, but it wanted the inward warmth; and while Mrs. Walker's father, with an ample fortune, could scarcely obtain common civility, old Walker was cited and admired by all his neighbours : and wherefore ? simply for this reason : he called himself a high churchman. He acknowledged in the confession, that he had gone astray like a lost sheep; he read in the Lessons, that he must be born again, or he could not enter the kingdom of heaven; he prayed also, that God would not take his holy Spirit from him or his congregation.

He also read, that God gives his holy Spirit to them that ask it. In the ordination service he had joined in the prayer, for immediate influence; had paused with his fellow candidates for orders, as though they expected the blessing they sought; and yet, gentle reader, after all this, he would deny the influences of the Spirit, and despise the saints, as he called them, who pretended to expect it. Wonder not, reader, when you hear such a man called a high churchman: he was high, it is true, in his own opinion, and had it not been that his son's choice was a wealthy choice,

he would have made stout opposition to his union with Mrs. Walker. Wonder not that Mr. Walker's prejudices should yield, he is not the only man who has found some charm in seventeen thousand pounds, which was the sum paid with his young daughter. Not that Walker was mercenary, far from it; he was really liberal beyond his means, but then the idea of close union with persons whose principles he affected to despise, was to him no small sacrifice; they had nothing in common. Walker was a keen sportsman, Nugent thought it incompatible with the clerical character. Walker thought, if he preached a sermon on Sunday, visited the sick when they sent for him, and performed all the outward duties of the ministerial character, he had done sufficient, and might thank God that “ he was not as other men were.” Nugent was never satisfied with himself, but lived in the spirit of that text, “ God be merciful to me a sinner.” Yet, think not that the one was gloomy, or the other particularly happy; no, there was a craving ambition about Walker, while the humility of Nugent led him to a safe and happy dependance on a Saviour.

Young Walker saw enough of the composure and peace of Mr. Nugent's character to respect his principles, if he did not

at first adopt them; and Sophia Nugent

; was so convinced of the enquiring mind of her friend, that she had no fear, if once he saw light that he should close his eyes in darkness. Many a sweet lecture did he receive as they walked up and down the broad avenue that led to her father's house, with the Bible in her hand, and prayer in her heart; she would sweetly endeavour to persuade him, whom much she loved, that the outward forms were nothing without the inward spiritual grace, and that the death unto sin must be accompanied by a new birth unto righteousness.

I have been thus explicit, to clear this excellent person from an imputation which might naturally attach to her character. No; be assured she yielded the palm most cheerfully, and was delighted to see how rapidly conviction and conversion went hand in hand with him to whom she had given her heart. This has been a long digression, but Mrs. Walker, thus honoured and beloved by her husband, had as often sought his arm for strength, and yielded the needful support when her excellent husband required it at her hand. And now, in this lingering weakness, she was most consoling when all within, saving his trust in a Saviour, trembled to the centre. She was more valued, more beloved,

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