when, in the deepest mourning for both their parents, the lovely orphans had been first seen in that church, an unusual interest had been felt in them by "all the town.”

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Various conjectures were formed as to who they were. "They came into church certainly with Major Bellenden. Were they his nieces? No, that could not be, for no one had ever heard that the Major had a niece. They could not belong to Mrs. Bellenden; they were not in the 'least like her;' besides, they knew all Mrs. Bellenden's connexions. I shall call to-morrow at Holly Bank," said Miss Vicars-proud of her intimacy with the family-" and Mrs. Bellenden will tell me all about them."

Not long, however, was the little town left in doubt. In its limited society, every event was soon known; and, with various additions and commentaries, according to the disposition and tempers of the narrators, the following circumstances were soon the subject of discussion in every circle where gossips met to talk over and regulate the affairs of their neighbours.

The names of the lovely strangers were Ellen and Louisa Dormer. Their father, Colonel Dormer, a gallant and distinguished officer, had fallen on the field of Waterloo. He had died in the arms of his long-tried friend and comrade, Major Bellenden, and, with his last breath, had committed to his care and guardianship his wife and daughters; for he well knew his worth and honourable principles, and, above all, that he "feared God and served Him, with all his house;" and therefore, he felt he could more confidently leave his beloved ones to his charge, than to that of his own more highly-born, more wealthy, but more worldly-minded relations.

Shortly after the establishment of the peace, which that memorable victory so happily secured to the nations of Europe, Major Bellenden retired altogether from the army, and returned to his native town of M

to cultivate "a few paternal acres," pleasantly situated amidst its picturesque environs. There, as an upright magistrate, a kind landlord and master, an active and

zealous promoter of every good and useful work, and an exemplary man in all the domestic relations of life, "the Major" was universally respected by his fellow-citizens and neighbours, and consulted by all classes, as the oracle of the little town of M

Such a man is, indeed, a blessing to any neighbourhood. Well had Colonel Dormer fulfilled his duty as a father, in committing his orphans to such guardianship—and orphans, in the fullest sense of the word, they soon were, for their mother, who had long been in declining health, did not long survive her husband; and, after her death, Ellen and Louisa Dormer became inmates of the family of Major Bellenden.

They were at that time sixteen years of age, and nearly five years had elapsed-years that had passed in the cultivation of all things that are "lovely and of good report"— and now the fair girls were going to leave the old town of M—, for other scenes and more extensive duties; and many a prayer was breathed from among that assembled

crowd for their future happiness, for many a sick couch had their gentle and kind sympathy soothed-many a sorrowing widow and fatherless family had their well-ordered charity relieved—many a soul, bowed down by sorrow, had they led to the only true source of comfort; while the young had received instruction from them in the Sunday schools. The good old vicar was deeply affected at parting with these children of hist love, and the manly breast of Major Bellenden beat with strong and contending emotions as he consigned the daughters of his early friend to other guardianship.

Mrs. Bellenden, who felt for them almost a mother's tenderness, and had well fulfilled to them a mother's duties, rejoiced with unmingled joy, at what she considered "these very happy marriages;" for she had allowed herself, unconsciously, to be blinded by worldly advantages to the faults of Mr. Murray, the husband of Louisa; and, "as for Ellen, with her quiet tastes and perfect fitfitness for all the duties of a country clergy

man's wife, and with 'such a man' as Mr. Greville, she must be happy-no one could doubt it."

And no one did. No sigh arose to mar the confidence with which the good old vicar pronounced his blessing on them. Mr. Greville had, for some few years past, been his curate, and he knew his worth and valuable qualities; but he could not repress a foreboding fear that Louisa's lot, though to the eye of the world it might seem more bright and prosperous, would be one of trouble and sorrow.

Major Bellenden had not failed in his duty. He had reminded Louisa, that, though Mr. Murray possessed many good qualities, he was not a religious man, and therefore it was building on the sand to expect that, when the "storms and floods" of life assailed him, as they must, however exalted his rank or station, that he would not fall, and he feared she would then find his temper and disposition selfish and unsympathising, and one which would cause her much unhappiness. But