turbulent spirit; but she remembered, when disposed to blame, how severely Eleanor had been tried; and she was, as her friend said, a good hand at finding out excuses for others. They drove in silence for some way, when Eleanor said,

"I do not wonder, Adela, that you and Mrs Wood are such good friends; did she ever tell you her history ?"

"Parts only, but enough to shew me she had narrowly escaped being a most unhappy woman. She and her husband seem to have begun life on the same principle as the gentleman who advertised that, he was kind if kindly treated.' I suspect it is a mode of acting very generally followed, though few would be as candid in confessing the selfishness of the main-spring."

"It was most fortunate for Mrs Wood that she had a friend to set matters straight."

"Yes, and one who could do it both kindly and judiciously. But we shall soon be at home now, and I hope you are bringing in a good appetite for substantial tea, and will be able to bear our number to which you have not been accustomed lately; but the boys are at school, and I have warned the girls they must have great consideration for your head, as you have been very ill. I assure you they are full of sympathy, ready to be your obedient servants, and to prove it by not talking too much."

"I am sure I shall enjoy it wonderfully, so do

not fear. I feel better already for having been allowed to talk to you, instead of being not able to open my lips about what I was incessantly thinking of; you have been a perfect safety valve, Adela. I am not sure whether I shall not vote you a crown after all for your services to-night; a civic one you know."

"Well, thank you, that was honourable."

"Oh yes, highly so, for saving life, and I believe you will nearly have done as much for me; it has been such a relief to have an ear that could listen kindly. Here we are just at home, and I have not asked you one most particular question: will you, dear Adela, tell me exactly how you manage to make your children so good? Because I am so ignorant, I shall not know how to begin unless you would teach me; and there is no time to lose, for do you know I feel quite strong to-night, and must very soon set to work."

"You shall see first," said Adela laughing, "if you think they are good; opinions differ so much, and you do not know them yet."

"No, but I have already heard that they are so, and what I want to learn, is how you set about it?" "It would be difficult to tell you, Eleanor, and might seem both dictatorial, and like praising myself, did I try; but I hope you will come, and pay us a long visit, and then you can see our ways of going on, and satisfy yourself as to the nature of the beings. I think you will be quieter in your

little lodging at present than in our house, so do not propose your leaving it whilst we remain here, because I can come and drive you out every day when it is fine, and you will be able to see as much or as little of us as you like. But when we go home to Redleigh, the end of October, papa has told me I must not fail to bring you with us; that is, of course, supposing you are willing to come. He charged me to say so, and the longer I could keep you the better; you will be getting quite strong then, and I hope will not refuse my request. But one thing, dear Eleanor," she added simply, "I can tell you about my children, which may account for much good, their infancy had that potent charm, a mother's prayers, and it has always been a source of happiness to me, that they were old enough to remember her, if not fully to appreciate the worth of her character."

The thought of old days always worked like a hushing spell upon Adela, which was the case now, and they spoke no more, save when Eleanor expressed her sense of the kindness extended to her. Many bright faces were looking eagerly for their return, and as they stopped at the door, they were greeted by a merry voice: "Oh, Adela, where have you been? Earl Grey cannot have gone half as well as usual, or you would have been at home much sooner."

It was long since Eleanor had spent so pleasant an evening. She forgot for a time all her past

troubles and her present loneliness, and much of her old liveliness returned. It was a beautiful summer night, and when they at last thought of her going home, she felt quite equal to the walk, and nurse was sent to take care of her, lest she should have over-rated her returning strength.

CHAPTER XII.

A Cold World and Warm Hearts.

"Friendship maketh indeed a fair day in the affections from storm and tempest, but it maketh daylight in the understanding, out of darkness and confusion of thoughts."

"Certain it is that whosoever hath his mind fraught with many thoughts, his wits and understanding do break up and clarify in the communicating with another. He tosseth his thoughts more easily, he marshalleth them more orderly. He seeth how they look when they are turned into words."-BACON.

FROM that day, desolation was past for Eleanor.

She usually spent her mornings quietly in her little room, which was good for both mind and body; but in the afternoon Adela was sure to come and take her out. Sometimes she brought one of the girls, oftenest Louisa, to rest her ankle; at other times she came alone, that they might talk over subjects to which the children's presence would have been a restraint. She was generally taken home, and it became quite a settled thing that she should spend the evenings at Mr Edgerton's house.

The effects were soon visible in the brightness