to afflict her, that he might give her strength to meet her fate with resignation, being convinced that whatever is, is right, and that the merciful Disposer of all human events only chastises for wise purposes, ever holding in mind, that as we bear our trials here, so shall we be rewarded hereafter.

"St. Victoire related to me the conversation which passed between her and you last evening. I am grieved to learn that you have had no reason to rejoice that you left this country; if you had followed my advice you would have remained with us, and have become one of our holy order: you would then only have known worldly sorrows by name; after the disappointment which you had experienced, it was not probable that you would ever be happy as a wife.”

"Had I been permitted, my dear mother, to peep into the book of futurity, in all likelihood I should have followed your advice, as assuredly, the

hardships which I have encountered in a married life naturally induce me frequently to regret that I ever left your peaceful abode, and that I did not take those vows which would have secured me a residence in a house from which are excluded all the vexations and vanities of this world. You have long known my sentiments on religion, and, with such impressions, had I embraced a monastic life, I should have been unworthy of your friendship, as in seeking the retirement of a cloister only to elude those afflictions, which are attached to the female character, appears to my weak judgment as tending to defeat the end for which we were created. I am now called on to perform the sacred duties of a wife and a mother, and having been educated by you, I feel assured, that in those characters you will never be ashamed to acknowledge me as your pupil.”

"I shall at all times, I am sure, be proud to acknowledge you; believe

me, the satisfaction which I feel at again. conversing with you is the greatest pleasure I have known since compelled to leave our dear convent.

"But I called you into my cell at the particular request of all the community; we all entreat that when you and your children are disposed to retire from the busy scenes of the world, that you will remember that our house is open to receive you; your children we consider as our children, for are you not our beloved daughter?”

Mrs. Mortimer was interrupted in her reply to this generous offer by the entrance of some of the sisterhood to express the great pleasure they felt in announcing that the storm had increased, so violently that it must be some days before a packet boat would venture to sea, consequently that their old friend must be detained longer with them than she expected. Several persons were also waiting to see Mrs. Mortimer; among them

were the old Baroness de St. Aubert and her son she insisted upon Mrs. Mortimer dining with her indeed, all her friends were most pressing with invitations to their houses; but as she wished to pass all the time she could with St. Victoire, she requested the abbess to settle her engagements. St. Etienne therefore decided that Mrs. Mortimer should breakfast and sup with the nuns, during the time which she remained in France, and the rest of the day she should devote to those esteemed friends who had been the companions of her youth.

It may easily be imagined that time glided swiftly in such society, in defiance of weather: there was not a walk, or a place, which was endeared to Mrs. Mortimer by past scenes which she did not visit assuredly it was a melancholy plea. sure, nevertheless, to such feelings as her's it was a delightful sensation, although, reflecting on the past, occasioned some painful ideas.

On the fourth evening after Mrs. Mortimer's arrival at Calais, as she was returning to the Lion d'Argent, she met Monsieur Du Crocq, who seemed desirous of relating some extraordinary occurrence. She had scarcely gained her apartment before he entered it.

I

"Ma foi Madame, dis be de luckiest ting in de world: Monsieur le Chevalier Flight be just arrived from Paris, he have brought only one valet wid him, and he be going to England. took di liberty to say, dat one English lady be going to Angleterre, and asked the chevalier to let Madame belong to his suite; derefore, if Madame will permit, to-morrow morning I will introduce Monsieur le Chevalier Flight to Madame."

Mrs. Mortimer felt the full force of Monsieur du Crocq's attention, and was glad to avail herself of this introduction; accordingly, at the proper time, she was introduced to Sir Timothy Flight, and