serenity of its usual expression; his voice was agitated and trembling, while he read the sixteenth chapter of St. John; and, when it was ended, he requested that his assembled household would unite with him in prayer for their beloved mistress. Mary remembered her mother's injunction to hope always; and while her father read and prayed, she felt that every promise would be fulfilled to them, and every petition granted; and her lovely countenance almost beamed with joy when she rose from her knees, and, throwing her arms round her father's neck, she said, "Oh, dear рара, do you not feel that our sorrow shall be turned into joy? Is not that a blessed promise? Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.''

The door, which had been closed when the servants retired, was now softly re-opened, and Mr. Thompson, the doctor, was ushered in by the nurse. He put out his hand with a smiling countenance towards Mr. Greville, saying, "I congratulate you, my dear sir; I hope I may now safely assure you all danger

is over.

Mrs. Greville will be glad to see you." With a heart too full to speak, Mr. Greville warmly shook the hand of the good man, and left the apartment.

"Do you know," said Mr. Thompson to the children, "you have another little sister? More trouble for you, Miss Mary!"

"More joy, you mean, Mr. Thompson. God be praised, dear mama is preserved to us;" and the long-restrained tears now flowed fast down her cheeks.

The children were jumping about for joy, and asked many questions as to when they might see baby? and whether they might nurse it? and what they should call it? and a discussion on the important subject of names took place, and breakfast was forgotten. Mr. Thompson, however, reminded them that "he was going to remain and partake of it with them, and that he had other patients to attend to;" so they all repaired to the breakfast-room, Mr. Greville having first retired with his children to his study, to offer up their united thanksgivings for the mercy vouchsafed to them.

c 2

CHAPTER IV.

"Since trifles make the sum of human things,
And half our mis'ry from our foible springs;
Since life's best joys consist in peace and ease,
And few can save or serve, but all may please;
Oh! let th' ungentle spirits learn from hence
That small unkindness is a great offence."

-HANNAH MORE.

The rubicund countenance of Mr. Freeman, the butler at Moreton Park, glowed with satisfaction as he brought in a letter to his master-" From Mr. Greville, sir."

"Put it down, Freeman," said Mr. Murray, who was reading the newspaper. Freeman lingered about the table, which he appeared to be arranging, but Mr. Murray continued to read the paper, and with a disappointed air, the servant retired.

Everything he read seemed to afford Mr.

Murray some cause for dissatisfaction, which he expressed aloud, though Mrs. Murray did not appear to take much interest in his remarks, but was occupied in attending to her children, a girl and a boy, about ten and twelve years of age, who were imitating their father by finding fault with every thing that was given them from the amply supplied table. Mrs. Murray had a fretful and discontented look, which marred her otherwise almost faultless beauty. At last, Mr. Murray having put down the paper, saying there was "nothing in it, after all," commenced eating some roll, which he pronounced to be "not half baked," Mrs. Murray reminded him of the letter. He took it up, and, breaking the seal, read a few words, and then said, "Your sister has a little girl, Louisa-another girl! how many does this make? and what on earth are they to do with them all? It might have been better if it had been a boy, for he would have been able to do something for himself; but another girl-five girls! Poor people-poor people-I pity them."

"Does he say Ellen is going on well ?" asked Mrs. Murray.

66

Yes, I believe so," he replied, taking up the letter again, and reading it. One would really think he had thousands to give the child, he is so thankful and so happy, and bids me to tell you to 'rejoice with him,' for that Mr. Thompson thinks there is now no danger. It seems she has been very alarmingly ill, and perfect quiet is ordered, so you need not go and see her yet."

Mrs. Murray acquiesced, and Mr. Murray continued to eat, and, in spite of declaring every thing either "underdone," or "overdone" or "too salt," or "not salt enough"

-or "too strong," or "too weak," contrived to make a very good breakfast.

"I think, Louisa," he said, after a few moments' silence, "it would be kind of you to send for the children; there is no one to look after them, and they must make a noise and disturb her, in that small house"-Mr. Murray, in spite of his habit of complaining and finding fault, being a kind-hearted and not ill-tempered man.