CHAPTER XVI.

"Oh! hadst thou strength to match thy brave desires,
And nerves to second what thy soul inspires!"

HOMER.

WHEN their departure for England was finally settled, Lady Amelia felt a few anxious thoughts creep into her mind with regard to Amelia Bell. The Marchioness, from her extreme youth, justly objected to her accompanying them; and to leave her all alone at Roe Park, where there was none to take any particular charge of her, Lady Amelia could not bear to think of. She therefore wrote to Edinburgh to consult Mrs Miller as to the most eligible plan for her, and till that lady's answer should arrive, she determined to place the orphan girl under the roof of Mr and Mrs Webster, at the manse of Roe-den. Accordingly, a day or two previous to her departure, Lady Amelia went to visit Mrs Webster, to talk to her of this and other matters.

Mrs Webster was a Christian, and a good wife to her husband, and a useful help-mate to him

amongst his parishioners. Had she not been a Christian, she might have been termed "a poor do-less body," which was her natural character; but she had now learned to strive against her natural propensities, though the roots of her original failings were still perceptible to an acute observer. She leaned much to her husband's judgment; she obeyed him, because she feared God; she loved him, because wives must love their husbands. She began to educate her children at an early age, and was now anxious to "train them up in the way they should go."

Formerly she would have considered all the trouble she now took as quite unnecessary; and would have thought her children well off, if brought up as she had been herself, by an unconverted mother, whose natural laziness and indolence were allowed ample scope. Mrs Webster was naturally shy and awkward, and would never have overcome her feelings so far as to converse familiarly and easily with Lady Amelia Truefeel; but she loved her, because Christians are commanded to love one another; and, indeed, there was nothing about Lady Amelia to make Mrs Webster feel this a hard law. The Roman's remark, "See how these Christians love one another," might have been applied here; for what was there about a timorous, insipid, shy being, such as Mrs Webster,

for Lady Amelia Truefeel to love; but the strongest, the most endearing of all ties-that she belonged to Christ?

The Manse lay at the farther extremity of a hamlet, which went by the name of Roe Den, and which, according to the general taste of all proprietors of great mansions, the Marquis was endeavouring to remove to a still greater distance from Roe Park. Thus men, by their actions, give an assent to the doctrine they frequently deny by their words; for in what blessed land was there ever a village which was not reckoned a bore when in the vicinity of a large mansion ?—The Marchioness declared, and with some truth, that though Jowler was the very best dog she ever knew-though spring-guns and man-traps were set in all directions-she could not depend upon keeping either her peaches, or any of her wall-fruit, while Roe Den was so near the garden.

Lady Amelia endeavoured to make use of this as an argument for the family encouraging schools; but the Marchioness averred, that instructing the poor only made them worse, and more expert in pilfering from, and deceiving, their superiors.

Lady Amelia had now approached and opened the little gate of the flower-plot before Mr Webster's house, and was preparing to knock at the

P

door. Mrs Webster seeing her figure, without distinguishing who it was, as usual retreated to put on her best cap-Mr Webster having desired her to be always orderly and decent. But she was greatly relieved, on taking a sly peep, to find that it was only Lady Amelia Truefeel. "You need not run away, Jeanie and Betsy," said she to her little girls; "it is good Lady Amelia ; she will not be angry that you have not on your fine frocks, although she is a great lady."

The children followed their mother with much alacrity.

"I did not know that it was your ladyship," said Mrs Webster, "or I would not have run away when you opened the pend; but I was afraid that it was Miss Macnab or Mrs Pearly, and I do not like to be catched by them in my morning dress.” "Indeed!-Why not?" said Lady Amelia.

"Because they would speak evil of me, if they were to see me in this common gown; they are always so fine themselves."

"Nay," said Lady Amelia, "I cannot think they can be so foolish; such a gown as yours, when clean, is fit for any gentlewoman to wear. The love of dress is indeed the ruin of women of all ranks. As good Mr Webster says, the love of dress creates the love of money in women, which the Scripture has declared to be the root of all evil. But I

know I need not preach to you upon that score, Mrs Webster."

"No," said Mrs Webster; " but I fear I am in much danger of running into the opposite extreme."

"I believe truth lies midway," replied Lady Amelia ;" and a Christian will endeavour to give no offence. But I have come to-day to talk to you on more important matters-to tell you that our plans are all settled."

She then communicated her plans for Amelia Bell, and her wishes that she should remain at the Manse till they were finally fixed. To this Mrs Webster gave a ready assent, and said, Amelia Bell would be of great use to her, and save her a great deal of trouble with the children.

"We leave this in a few days," said Lady Amelia.

"Well, that is indeed sad news," said Mrs Webster" I did not think it would have been so soon. What will become of me?-What will become of the library?-What will become of the poor?"

"What! is faint heart coming over you," said Lady Amelia, “with Mr Webster to advise you? Come, cheer up, for I am come to tell you what I wish done, and to talk with you before I go, about many little useful matters. But my memory is a treacherous one. Let me see"-and she opened