head to hide the tears she could suppress no longer. Even Arthur's voice trembled as he read; and Caroline and Clara, though they had heard it before, did not listen without emotion. No one ventured to make a remark when it was concluded; and Arthur, as a relief from its tone of sadness, turned to read one of the spirited "Lays of the Cavaliers." Katie, however, when she saw that Aytoun's shafts were, some of them, launched against her heroes, the Covenanters, was roused to indignation, vehemently protesting that it was "not nearly so nice as 'Edinburgh after Flodden."" Thereupon an animated discussion followed between her and Arthur, as to the merits of the Covenanters and their cause, in which Arthur took the opposite side, chiefly for the sake of argument—a thing he was fond of doing. When Mr Grey arrived, with Helen, the point was referred to him; and Katie, who had got quite excited about it, felt sure that he would take her side.

"Well, at any rate," exclaimed Katie, after Mr Grey had hazarded an opinion, "I am sure the Covenanters were, at least, a great deal better than the other people, and they did not kill women and children."

"I hope they were better," said Mr Grey; "it would have been strange if they had not been so, since they professed to be serving Christ, while the cruel soldiers, who committed the deeds you speak of, were serving only an earthly king, and perhaps had never been taught anything about the love of Christ at all. And I feel persuaded that many of the Covenanters had forsaken all for Christ, nor 'counted their own lives dear unto them' when His cause was at stake. But, whenever we begin to exalt erring men to

an undue authority, and give them any of the veneration and homage which belongs to the one perfect Man, we need to be reminded that 'all flesh is grass,' that it is only the word of the Lord that endureth forever."" From the moment it assumed this form, Arthur ceased to bear a part in the discussion; the battle was not fought on his ground at all, for Mr Grey's remarks took a higher range than his thoughts had, as yet, been accustomed to follow. There were thoughts that were new to him in what Mr Grey had said; and as he saw with surprise that Katie, who was certainly much his inferior in attainments and general culture, was able to enter into them much better than he could, he connected this with what he had previously noticed in her, and concluded that the principles on which she felt and acted were different from those which usually actuated himself and those around him.”

Helen and Katie had a little quiet talk by themselves, as the dusk came on, and then, after some music from Caroline, Mr Grey closed the evening, as was his wont wherever he visited socially-whether among his own people or among others,-with reading the Scriptures and prayer. Family worship was not customary with the Winstanleys, but they were always willing that any clergyman who might be their guest should conduct it. Arthur was particularly struck with one petition in Mr Grey's simple prayer, which he long remembered-"Help us, O Lord, to seek to know Thy will concerning us, and to follow Christ in doing it, assured of Thine own promise, that if any man will do Thy will, he shall know of the doctrine."

ATIE'S agreeable sojourn at Pine Grove ended next day, and she went home, strengthened in body, and carrying with her many pleasant recollections, as well as a cordial invitation that her visit should be repeated. She was not a little sorry to leave a place where there had been so much to enjoy, and where she had received so much kindness; but still she felt amply compensated in experiencing the delightful sensation of coming home after the first absence, and that, after all, there was at Pine Grove no equivalent for her mother's loving greeting. It did not occur to her either, to contrast the luxuriously-furnished rooms of the Winstanleys with the homely furniture of her own dwelling, which had seen so much service, and had so little chance of renewal:-it was all entwined with

the endearing associations of home, which made it look, in her eyes, different from any other furniture in the whole world. Ned was very glad to have her back again, and her papa was at home, and very kind and sociable, on the evening of her return; so that there was no alloy in her pleasure.

Jim's lessons went on again as usual, after the slight interruption. The poor fellow was really trying hard to overcome the difficulties in his way, and was getting on surprisingly well, considering the drudgery it was to a boy of his age and restlessness. As Katie was now able to walk so much better, she ventured to put in execution an idea which had been often in her mind,-to get Jim to show her the spot where he had buried poor Jet. He looked ashamed and awkward when she spoke to him about it, but, encouraged by her kind tone and manner, he at length willingly agreed to conduct her to the place. It was a pretty, shady retreat, now that the elm-trees which overhung it were richly clothed with abundant foliage, through which the flickering sunbeams played on the grass; and Katie sat down on the spot which the boy had pointed out to her, and wondered if there would never again be anything more of her merry, playful little favourite. Jim stood at a little distance, watching, somewhat ruefully, her face, which was looking so much sadder than its wont,—but it was quite impossible for him to express anything of the penitence which he really felt. Perhaps, however, Katie could see something of it in his countenance, for she presently said—"Thank you, Jim ; that will do just now. I'm much obliged to you for being

so careful about him, and I know you didn't mean to do Jet any harm."

"No, Miss, I didn't. Thank you, Miss," muttered Jim, relieved at finding himself comprehended without the trouble of explaining his feelings.

Mrs Johnstone was beginning to feel somewhat anxious about Ned, who was evidently not at all inclined to settle in earnest to the studies which were necessary to fit him for turning his next session to the best account. He might, urged by her solicitations, begin in the morning, but before an hour had passed, he was pretty sure to find some excuse for going into the village, where he would manage to pass most of the forenoon. Then he was often away in the evenings till pretty late, and she could not draw from him a very satisfactory account of the way in which they were spent. One evening, when he was absent, Arthur Winstanley came in to bring Katie some fresh reading, and, after a little talk, asked, somewhat uneasily, "Do you know where Ned is to-night?"

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No," said Katie, looking inquiringly up, for she noticed something unusual in his manner.

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Well, I thought you might not; of course, I have no right to keep watch over Ned's actions, but I felt sorry to see him, a little while ago, hanging round Smith's, with Sam Flint and young Williams.”

"Smith's" was the village inn,-like most village inns the resort of the loafers of the neighbourhood; and Williams and Flint were two young men of rather doubtful reputation, given to betting, tippling, and, it was even