"I think it would really be encouraging vice if they did," said Mrs Gadabout.

"I shall go myself and see her," said Mr Malfort-" Poor creature, she has done herself more harm than she has done to others by her misconduct."

Mrs Gadabout remonstrated against the inexpediency of this measure; but Mr Malfort replied that he had now an opportunity of returning good for evil, which he could not resist-" I was in prison and ye came unto me."

Mrs Gadabout gabbled something about encouragement to vice, strange times, and enthusiasm ; and so the discussion ended.—" Are you really determined," said she, "not to call in more advice for Miss Malfort? I would not trust her entirely to the care of a methodistical fellow like Zealwell; I would certainly consult both Harmless and Bleedem."

"Vain are the efforts of human skill to restore a sinking constitution," said Mr Malfort.

Here Miss Malfort entered pale and feeble, and put an end to the conversation. "I feel somewhat relieved to-day," said she; "if the weather continues fine, and Dr Zealwell permits, I think I might venture to take an airing."

"I hear some one knock-it is Zealwell's rap," said Mr Malfort.

"It must be he," said Constantia.

The door opened-it was not Dr Zealwell-a stranger entered-he was young-he was handsome. Constantia gazed on him for a moment, then exclaiming, "It is Henry Rodmount!" she fainted away.

She was recovered with some difficulty, and rejoiced to find that it was no vision, but indeed Henry Rodmount, who stood before her. His tale is told in a few words. As we have always held minute details to be very tiresome, whether in fictitious narrative, or real history, we shall briefly state that Henry Rodmount found he could get leave of absence-that fortune had smiled upon him in India-that he was in love with Constantia, and anxious to know the state of her feelings towards him. How was he shocked to find her so alarmingly ill! In the sympathy, the anxiety, the ardour which he expressed, Mr Malfort and Constantia saw the love they had formerly suspected; and Mrs Gadabout, who had witnessed this scene, now departed to tell it all over Seafowl, embellished with her own private suspicions and conjectures upon the subject, for the benefit of her friends and acquaintances.

Vanity of vanities! A few short months before, and Henry Rodmount, with his present prospects, was all Mr Malfort could have desired in a son

in-law; all that Constantia could have loved in a husband. The more that Henry heard and saw of Constantia only served to increase his apprehension and his eagerness for more assistance; and notwithstanding Mr Malfort's scruples, he ran off himself, and shortly returned with Doctors Harmless and Bleedem. The Doctors, notwithstanding their predilections for their favourite theories, were men of integrity, and found it impossible, consistently with their principles, to apply their systems in the present case. They felt her pulse, shook their heads, and departed. Henry followed them, and learned with agony that wrung his heart, that they considered Miss Malfort's case beyond the reach of hope. In the deepest distress, he endeavoured to collect all the force of his mind, and to submit his will to the will of God. He was now called upon to resign the warmest affections of his heart-the hopes of his early youth. These things are hard to bear from unassisted nature; but Henry had begun to feel that there was one on high who could enable the feeblest heart to sustain its sorrows. He sought this support, and there was a strength given him which was not his own.

"Though now ascended up on high,
He bends on earth a pitying eye,
And still remembers, in the skies,
His tears, his agonies, and cries."

Perhaps with his resignation there mingled a latent hope, that doctors were frequently deceived, and that many complaints assumed the appearance of consumption, which time proved to have been other disorders. The passion of hope has been found to achieve wonderful victories, even where its influence extends only to the things of time. What then may not be expected from its influence over those, who have hopes beyond time and sense, and the grave!

CHAPTER XXVIII.

"Their views, indeed, were indistinct and dim,
But yet successful, being aim'd at him."

LADY AMELIA TRUEFEEL was now quite reconciled to Seafowl. She had made several valuable acquaintances, whose experience and whose light exceeded her own. She had, indeed, her trialsthe opposition of the Marchioness to all who were styled Evangelical Christians-her endeavours to prevent the Marquis from conversing or thinking upon that important subject, which he had once deeply felt to be the one thing needful, the only thing availing-the letters from her sisters, which proved too clearly that their hearts were unconverted ;-all these proved severe outward trials to one, who, like Lady Amelia, entertained the warmest affection for her family. But she had to experience that Christians must undergo still deeper sorrows; the trials of faith which are appointed for them; the struggles of their own minds, the sense of sin, the doubts thrown in by the enemy,