expense, but also afforded an excuse for keeping the poor orphan entirely out of sight, and thereby preventing her ever being included in the invitations which fell to the share of her own daughters. On this point both she and they were indescribably jealous; nothing annoyed them more than that the slightest notice should be taken of Marie, and the poor girl, knowing this, took care to keep as much as possible out of sight. It was no sacrifice to her to spend her evenings alone these, on the contrary, were among her few periods of peace-almost of happiness. Those who know by experience, the wear and tear of mindthe utter prostration that teaching often produces, will be able to comprehend the sense of unutterable relief with which this poor orphan hailed the prospect of a long solitary evening when Mrs. Thompson "had company," and her pupil was below. Then,

'Not all unblest the mild interior scene

When the red curtain spread its folded screen-
O'er some light task the lonely hours were past,
And the long evening only flew too fast.'

It was these intervals of serenity—of quiet

thought, grave occupation, and often, earnest prayer, that nerved her for the struggle and the endurance of the morrow; it was within that narrow chamber, and whilst apparently abandoned by all the world, that she learnt to raise herself above it, and to look with hopeful eyes to the prospect of another. Happy they whom sorrow has thus tutored, and who have acquired, no matter through what struggles, the sublime philosophy of faith and of submission!

But a new sorrow had of late entered into Marie's existence, and one which her affectionate disposition rendered peculiarly hard to bear. And in order to explain this, I must introduce my readers to yet another inhabitant of this neighbourhood, a part of Belgravia which it is not necessary more particularly to specify.

CHAPTER VI.

'His age is as a lusty winter, frosty, but kindly.'

SHAKSPEARE.

Genius high, and love profound,

And wit that loved to play, not wound;
And all the reasoning powers divine
To penetrate-resolve-combine

And feelings keen-and fancy's glow.'

MARMION.

'Gold! yellow-glittering-precious gold!

Believe't, that we'll do anything for gold.'
TIMON OF ATHENS.

MR. SOMERSET was a man advanced in yearsof great wealth, and still greater benevolence. He had formerly been at the head of one of those colossal concerns which form the pride

as well as much of the power of our prosperous country, and which, not inaptly, bestow on their proprietors the name of Merchant Princes. From this great firm he had long since withdrawn himself, being more than satisfied with the riches he had already acquired. During five-and-twenty years member for the county of - in which he had large estates, his public life had been one of singular activity and usefulness, unmixed with the smallest particle of selfish ambition. Endowed with an enlarged and highly-cultivated intellect, a philosophical turn of mind, and a memory singularly retentive, he took the broadest and most enlightened view of every subject; and in the cause of freedom, benevolence, and national improvement, was ever found amongst the foremost. He was one of those liberal, yet sound politicians, who, whilst they desire the advancement of their fellow beings, are for advancement with order; who would put down abuses, but gradually without violence, or the destruction of time-honored institutions, and who think less of the spirit of their party, than of the still, small voice of conscience within their own breasts. Mr.

Somerset had been known on more than one occasion to vote in opposition to his party, and had of course brought down upon himself very severe animadversion by so doing. But for this he cared little; knowing well that however in their indignation they might abuse him for the moment, there was not one among them who did not do more than justice to the purity of his motives, and believe him to be, as he was, the most really single-hearted and honest man among them. Never had his remarkable disinterestedness shone more apparent than on the occasion of the great Reform question, of which he was one of the most strenuous and ardent supporters, although it militated greatly against his own interest, he being himself a large borough proprietor. He was indeed a noble and rare character, that old Mr. Somerset; so bold and earnest in the cause of philanthropy, so generous and tenderhearted to the poor, and indulgent to the ignorant and erring of his race; yet so straight-forward and resolute in following out the dictates of his conscience, and withal so totally unconscious of his own rare merits.

'Noble he was-contemning all things base, His truth unquestioned, and his soul serene.'