,,woman ,,as ,,she ,,should ,,be2 ,,or1 ,,agnes ,,wiltshire4 ,,by ,,mary ,e4 ,,herbert1 ,,author ,,of ,,olian ,,harp1 ,,scenes ,,in ,,the ,,life ,,of ,a ,,halifax ,,belle1 c4 ,i saw her on a nearer view1 ,a ,spirit1 yet a ,woman1 too2 ,her household motions light and free1-- ,and steps of virgin liberty2 ,a countenance in which did meet ,sweet records1 promises as sweet2 ,a creature not too bright or good1 ,for human nature's daily food1 ,for transient pleasures1 artless wiles1 ,praise1 blame1 love1 kisses1 tears1 and smiles4 --,,wordsworth4 ,,halifax1 ,n4,s43 ,,published ,,by ,,mary ,e4 ,,herbert4 #ahfa4 ,,cambridge1 ,,mass43 ,,miles ,,dillingham4 ,printers and ,stereotypers ,,chapter ,i4 ,the ,sabbath day was drawing to a close1 as ,agnes ,wiltshire sat at her chamber window1 absorbed in deep and painful thought4 ,the last rays of the sun lighted up the garden overlooked by the casement1--if garden it could be called1--a spot that had once been most beautiful1 when young and fair hands plucked the noxious weed1 and took delight in nursing into fairest life1 flowers1 whose loveliness might well have vied with any2 but1 long since1 those hands had mouldered into dust1 and the spot lay neglected2 yet1 in spite of neglect1 beautiful still4 ,there was no enclosure to mark it from the fields beyond1 that stretched1 far as the eye could discern1 till lost in a rich growth of woods1 but a few ornamental trees and graceful shrubs1 with here and there a plot1 now gay1 with autumn flowers1 alone kept alive1 in the heart of the beholder1 a remembrance of its purpose4 ,a quiet scene of rural beauty it was1 and so thought the maiden1 as1 rousing from her reverie1 she gazed on garden1 fields1 and distant woods1 but more lovingly and lingeringly dwelt her glance on a lake that lay embosomed between the meadow and the grove1 partly skirted by trees that grew even to its edge1 and partly by the rich grass1 whose vivid color betrayed the influence of those placid waters1 that now reflected every glowing tint1 and every delicate hue of the peerless sunset sky4 ,quiet at all times1 the stillness of the scene was now unbroken1 save by the twittering of some belated swallow1 the chirp of the cricket1 or the evening hymn of the forest songsters1 ere they sank to grateful rest4 ,all was peace without1 but troubled and anxious was the heart of the solitary occupant of that apartment1 who1 though for a moment aroused from deep1 and1 as it appeared from the expression of her countenance1 painful thought1 by the beauty of the landscape1 again summoned her wandering thoughts1 and returned to the theme which had so deeply engrossed her4 ,a slight tap at the door once more aroused her1 and in answer to her invitation1 ,walk in1 a lady entered the room1 and affectionately addressed the young girl4 ,forgive my intrusion1 my dear ,miss ,wiltshire1 but ,i feared1 from your remaining so long in your room1 that you were not well1 and have come to ascertain whether ,i am correct or not4 ,i am much obliged for your kindness1 but ,i am quite well1 in body1 at least1 was the reply1 while the lips quivered1 and the eyes were suffused with tears4 ,there was silence for a few moments between them1 for ,mrs4 ,gordon was too delicate to allude to emotions1 which her companion evidently strove to conceal1 and with the nature of which she was totally unacquainted4 ,at length1 however1 she broke the quiet that had reigned for some moments in the apartment1 by an observation on the service they had both that day attended4 ,accustomed1 as you are1 to city churches and city congregations1 it could scarcely be expected that our unpretending house of prayer1 with its humble worshippers1 could have found much favor in your eyes1 ,miss ,wiltshire8 ,and yet1 strange to say1 exclaimed ,agnes1 lifting her fine dark eyes to ,mrs4 ,gordon's sweet1 though pensive face1 that unpretending church1 those earnest worshippers1 and1 above all1 that simple1 faithful discourse1 affected me far more deeply than any heard from the lips of the most eloquent divine1 in a gorgeous edifice crowded with the elite of the city1 and where the solemn notes of the full-toned organ ought1 perhaps1 to have filled the soul with sacred and heavenly thoughts4 ,those words1 so thrillingly pronounced1 shall ,i ever forget them8 ',to whom much is given1 of him shall much be required4' ,they seem still to ring in my ears1 for ,i1 alas1 am among those who have received much1 yet rendered back nothing4 ,the speaker paused1 overcome with emotion1 but the countenance of the listener grew radiant with delight1--not that delight which arises from the realization of some worldly hope1 but1 rather1 a heavenly joy1 which lent to the pale and pensive face a beauty not of this world2 it beamed in the sunken1 yet soft blue eye1 and flushed the hollow cheek2 it was the joy of a saint1 nay1 it was the joy of an angel1 at the return of the stray sheep to its ,father's fold4 ,but it soon found expression in words4 ,i cannot tell you how happy you make me1 in speaking thus1 dear ,agnes1 said she1 affectionately clasping her hand4 ,since you first came here1 ,i have been thinking so much about you1 and praying1 too1 that you1 so rich in all that makes woman lovely and beloved1 might possess that grace1 which will but add lustre to every other endowment1 qualifying you for extensive usefulness here1 and glorious happiness hereafter4 ,but you know not1 my kind friend1 what mental struggles ,i have passed through this afternoon1 nor how conflicting feelings are yet agitating my soul4 ,i hear the voice of duty1 but it calls me to tread a rugged path4 ,could ,i always remain with you1 secluded from the gay world1 far removed from its temptations and allurements1 then1 indeed1 would ,i gladly make my choice1 and say1 ',this people shall be my people1 and their ,god my ,god2' but in a few days ,i must depart1 and1 again1 in the haunts of the busy city1 and surrounded by the gayeties of fashionable life1 ,i fear ,i shall feel no more those sweet and sacred influences1 which have been as the breath of heaven to my soul4 ',my presence shall go with thee1 and ,i will give thee rest6' ,is not that a sufficiently encouraging promise1 dear ,agnes8 ,had you nought but your own strength to rely on1 you might well fear2 but forget not ,him who has declared1 ',if any lack wisdom1 let him ask of ,god1 who giveth to all liberally1 and upbraideth not1 and it shall be given4' ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,agnes ,wiltshire was an orphan4 ,her father had died during her infancy1 her mother during her childhood2 but a happy home had been thrown open to her1 by a kind uncle and aunt1 who gladly adopted her as their own1 and lavished on her every tenderness4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,denham were generous and warm-hearted people2 their dwelling was elegant and commodious2 the society in which they mingled1 as far as wealth and fashion is concerned1 unexceptionable4 ,what more was wanting8 ,alas1 they were thoroughly worldly2 their standard was the fashionable world2 their maxims were derived from the same source2 and while regularly attending the stated ordinances of the church1 and esteeming themselves very devout1--for were not their lives strictly moral8--they1 in reality1 knew as little of heart religion1 as the dwellers in a heathen land4 ,such was the character of the people among whom ,agnes ,wiltshire had attained the age of eighteen2 and1 surrounded by such influences1 what wonder1 that she1 too1 partook of the same spirit1 and was content to sail down the sunny stream of life1 without one thought of its responsibilities1 without one glance at the future that awaited her4 ,long might she have continued thus1 still pursuing the phantom of pleasure1 seeking ever for happiness1 but never seeking aright1 had she not been suddenly startled1 in the midst of worldly pursuits1 by the unexpected death of a gay and favorite companion1 who1 surrounded by all of earthly happiness1 was torn from her embrace4 ,in the agony of delirium1 ,agnes had beheld her1 gliding1 unconsciously1 down the dark valley and the shadow of death1 and she trembled1 when she felt how totally unprepared she was to meet the ,king of ,terrors1 and yet how soon she might be called to do so4 ,in the midst of the gay dance1 at the festive board1 where mirth ruled the hour1 and honeyed flatteries were poured into her ear1 she was still haunted by that pallid1 agonized countenance1 and by the voice1 whose heart-rending accents she still seemed to hear1 as distinctly as when it cried1 in imploring tones1 ,save me1 oh save me1 from the deep1 dark waters4 ,they surround me on every side2 have pity on me1 for ,i sink1 ,i sink1 ,i sink4 ,so deep an effect had the loss of her young companion1 and the remembrance of her last hours1 produced on ,agnes1 that she fell into a dejection1 from which nothing could rouse her1 and her physical powers soon gave unmistakable evidences of their sympathy with the mind1 by alarming prostration of strength4 ,the physician1 on being applied to1 recommended the usual restorative1 change of air and scene2 and a pleasant summer's retreat was selected as ,agnes's residence1 for a few weeks4 ,mrs4 ,denham would fain have accompanied her niece1 but a violent attack of the gout1 to which ,mr4 ,denham was subject1 rendered it impossible for her to leave him1 and with many tender charges and injunctions1 ,agnes was consigned to the care of a friend1 travelling in that direction4 ,great was the change to ,agnes1 yet not the less beneficial on that account4 ,the absence of the glitter and show of fashionable life1 the quiet that reigned around1 the beauty of the scenery1 the kindness and simplicity of the scattered inhabitants1--all delighted her2 and the group of admirers1 who were wont to surround her1 would scarcely have recognized1 in the warm-hearted1 enthusiastic girl1 who1 in simple attire1 might daily be seen rambling through the fields1 or1 with a book in hand1 seated beneath a favorite oak1 the accomplished and fashionable ,miss ,wiltshire4 ,the lady with whom she resided was a clergyman's widow1 who1 deprived by an untimely death of her natural protector and provider1 sought to augment her scanty means1 by opening her house during the summer months to casual visitors4 ,she had been beautiful once1 and she was young still2 but the glow and the freshness of life's youth had vanished1 not so much before time as sorrow1 for peculiarly distressing circumstances had attended the loss of her dearest friend1 and now1 disease had almost1 unsuspected1 commenced its insidious ravages on a naturally delicate constitution4 ,a mutual friendship was speedily formed between these two1 so strangely thrown together by circumstances4 ,agnes was charmed with ,mrs4 ,goodwin's sweet1 pensive face1 and gentle manners1 while her character1 so beautifully exemplifying the power of religion to give support and happiness1 under all circumstances1 won her deepest regard4 ,on the other hand1 the genuine warmth1 the unsophisticated manners1 still uncorrupted by daily flatteries and blandishments1 the lofty and gifted mind1 all delighted ,mrs4 ,goodwin1 who had never before formed an acquaintance with a female possessing so many attractions1 and she gazed at her with wonder and admiration1 not unmixed with a sentiment of tenderness and pity1 as she thought of life's slippery paths1 and of the injurious influences of worldly pursuits and worldly gayeties4 ,but to the city ,agnes must again return1 for the roses have come back to her cheeks1 her previous dejection has vanished under the kind and salutary ministrations of her friend1 and she has no reasonable excuse for remaining longer2 besides1 her friends have become impatient at her stay1--the light and life of their dwelling1--how can they consent to her tarrying longer2 so the long and interesting conversations on high and holy themes1 which she had scarcely ever before heard alluded to but in church1 must be relinquished1 and the quiet scenes of ,nature exchanged for the bustle and show of city life4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,a twelvemonth has elapsed1 since the events recorded in our first chapter4 ,in the drawing-room of a spacious mansion1 in the suburbs of the city where ,agnes ,wiltshire resided1 is seated a young man1 apparently perusing a volume which he holds in his hand1 but1 in reality1 listening to a gay group of young girls1 who are chattering merrily with his sister at the other end of the apartment4 ,scarcely heedful of his presence1 for he is partly concealed by the thick folds of a rich damask curtain1--or1 perhaps1 careless of the impression produced1 they rattled gaily on1 for not one of them but in her heart had pronounced him a woman-hater2 for were he not such1 could he have been insensible to the sweetest and most fascinating smiles of beauty8 ,but the last sound of their retreating footsteps1 the echo of their merry laugh1 has died away1 and ,arthur ,bernard emerges from his retreat1 in the enclosure of the window4 ,i declare1 ,arthur1 it is positively too bad1 exclaimed ,ella1 his sister1 a gay and pretty young girl2 you are certainly the most agreeable company in the world4 ,not a syllable to say beyond 'yes1' or 'no1' 'good morning1' or 'good evening4' ,i am really ashamed of you4 ,you are a woman-hater1 ,i really believe4 ,i am sure the girls all set you down as such4 ,i am much obliged for their good opinion1 and shall endeavor to deserve it1 was the smiling reply4 ,but1 can you imagine what ,i have been thinking about1 while you and your merry companions have been talking all sorts of nonsense8 ,no1 indeed4 ,i should like to hear your wise meditations1 most grave and potent seigneur4 ,doubtless1 they will prove very edifying1 as the theme1 of course1 was woman's foibles4 ,i have been thinking rather of what woman might be1 than of what she is4 ,what an exalted part she might perform in the regeneration of the world1 did she but fulfil her mission4 ,an archangel might almost envy her opportunities of blessing and benefiting others2 and yet1 with so many spheres of usefulness open to her1 with influence so potent for good or evil1 the majority of your sex do nothing1 or1 worse than nothing1 injure others by their example4 ,i am not a woman-hater1 ,ella2 but ,i must deplore that so many are unmindful utterly of their high calling1 and careless of everything but how to spend the present hour the most agreeably1 instead of being found actively sustaining1 as far as in their power1 every good word and work2 and ever with a smile and a word of encouragement to the weary toilers in the path of duty4 ,that there are such women1 ,i have not the least doubt2 but ,i have never met with one yet4 ,when ,i do so1 and remain insensible to her charms1 you may then call me a woman-hater1--and a smile concluded the sentence4 ,a merry1 mocking laugh from his1 sister rang through the room4 ,i thought as much4 ,we1 poor women1 are not good enough for your most serene highness2 nothing short of one endowed with angelic qualities will suit you4 ,i must really try if1 in my long list of acquaintances1 ,i cannot find one to come up to your standard2 though ,i am afraid it would be rather a difficult task4 ,and now1 in reply to that grave lecture of yours1 7what a pity the girls were not here to be edified17 for my part1 ,i always imagined that woman's mission was to be as charming as possible1 and ,i am quite content with being that1--and ,ella looked up into her brother's face1 with an irresistible smile4 ,but may you not be charming and useful both8 ,well1 ,i don't know about that2 ,i should like to know what you would have us do4 ,do6 what might you not do1 if you were disposed8 ,what an incalculable amount of good1 and that in the most unobtrusive manner4 ,society takes its tone from you1 and waits to be fashioned by your hand4 ,but1 ,i verily believe1 running the risk of speaking very ungallantly1 that there is not one in thirty1 fifty1 or perhaps a hundred of your sex1 who have the slightest idea of exerting their talents for the benefit of others4 ,you laugh and talk1 and enjoy yourselves1 careless of the impression your example may produce1 and conform to the usages of society1 without one inquiry1 as to whether in those usages may not1 sometimes1 lurk frightful dangers1 if not to yourselves1 to others who follow admiringly in your steps4 ,frightful dangers6 ,really1 brother1 you are growing enigmatical4 ,i should like to have that sentence made a little plainer1 for ,i certainly do not understand you4 ,perhaps an incident that occurred not long ago1 which ,i will relate to you1 may explain more clearly my meaning4 ,i can vouch for its correctness1 for it came under my own observation4 ,you have frequently heard me speak of ,henry ,leslie1 my room-mate at college1 one of the noblest and most gifted of young men1 but who unfortunately had contracted a taste for intoxicating liquors4 ,unfortunately for himself1 his agreeable manners and fine qualities rendered him a great favorite with the ladies1 and no party seemed complete without him2 and thus constantly exposed to the seducing influence of the wine-cup1 the habit of imbibing largely grew so strong1 that he scarcely had any restraining power left4 ,i remonstrated with him1 and1 as ,i trusted1 with some success1 for he solemnly promised to abstain totally from the intoxicating beverage1--but the very next day we found1 on returning home from a walk1 an invitation to an evening party lying on our table4 ,it was from the mother of the young lady to whom report alleged he was deeply attached1 and whatever influence ,i might have possessed in dissuading him from attending any other social gathering1 ,i found ,i was powerless in this case4 ,but he again renewed his determination to abstain from intoxicating stimulants4 ',i know what you fear1 ,arthur1 but ,i have made the resolution to touch not1 taste not1 handle not1 as the teetotallers say1 and ,i am determined not to break it4' ,i made no answer1 but prepared to accompany him1 with a heavy heart2 for ,i felt certain1 in my own mind1 of the result1 at least to some extent1 of that evening's visit4 ,i need not enter into particulars2 suffice it to say1 that ,henry ,leslie bravely withstood all solicitations1 from our sex1 to partake of the destroying beverage1 and ,i was beginning to hope that my fears would prove unfounded1 when the daughter of our hostess1 the young lady to whom ,i before alluded1 approached him with a glass of sparkling wine in her hand4 ,she was beautiful1--,i cannot but acknowledge that1--and ,i shall never forget her appearance as she stood there1 a fascinating smile lighting up her animated countenance1 and1 in her sweetest tones1 begged him to take a glass of wine with her4 ,i thought of ,satan1 disguised as an angel of light1 and trembled for the result1 as ,i stood anxiously listening for his answer4 ,it came in the negative1 but the hesitating1 half-apologetic tone was very different from the firm and decided one1 in which he had resisted all other solicitations4 ,but she was not yet satisfied4 ,womanly vanity must triumph1 no matter how dearly the victory may be purchased4 ',you surely will not be so ungallant as to refuse a lady so small a favor1'--and her eyes added1 as plainly as words1--'but much less can you refuse me4' ',you see how society is degenerating1 ,mr4 ,bernard1' she said1 turning to me1 'there was a time when a lady's request was deemed sacred1 now we poor women have little or no influence over your sex4' ',i devoutly wish you had less1 ,madam1' was my uncourteous reply2 but she scarcely heard me1 for ,henry1 taking the proffered glass1 and in a low tone1 murmuring1 ',for your sake alone1' quaffed its contents4 ,a flush of gratified vanity passed over the lady's countenance1 for she had laid a challenge with some of her friends1 who had observed his previous abstinence1 that she would make him drink a glass of wine with her1 before the evening was over4 ,that night week ,i sat1 a lonely watcher1 by the corpse of ,henry ,leslie4 ,he had died in the horrors of delirium tremens1 and his last cry had been for brandy4 ,oh1 it stings me almost to madness1 exclaimed ,arthur1 rising and pacing the apartment with hurried steps1 when ,i reflect that that woman1 knowing well his fatal propensity1--knowing1 too1 how powerful was her influence over him1 for1 poor fellow1 ,i believe he would have laid down his life for her sake1 was the immediate instrument of leading to destruction one who might1--had she encouraged him in his resolution to abstain1 instead of luring him to depart from it1--have been an honored ornament to society1 not filling1 as he does to-day1 a drunkard's grave1 'unhonored and unsung4' ,there was silence for a few moments in the apartment1 for even the volatile ,ella seemed affected at the narration4 ,at length she spoke in a subdued tone4 ,that is certainly a melancholy story1 ,arthur1 and ,i shall not be able to get it out of my mind soon4 ,but now that ,i think of it1 have you seen ,agnes ,wiltshire since your return8 ,no2 but ,i have been about to inquire several times where she is1 and why have ,i not seen her before8 ,simply1 because she has abjured society4 ,abjured society6 and ,arthur looked up1 with a glance full of astonishment4 ,what do you mean1 ,ella8 ,has she become a nun8 ,not exactly2 but she certainly is a ,sister of ,charity1 in the fullest sense of the term4 ,it was only yesterday morning she passed our windows quite early1 followed by a servant carrying a large basket1 and ,i can easily imagine it was on some charitable mission4 ,you must know1 ,arthur1 for ,i see by your looks that you are impatient to hear all about her1--by the bye1 it is singular that you should take any interest in her1 considering she is a woman1---- ,dear ,ella1 do go on with your story4 ,it is well for you1 ,mr4 ,arthur1 that ,i am very good-natured1 for ,i should have an excellent opportunity now of retaliation1 for all the unkind things you have been saying about our sex4 ,but ,i can be generous1 and will forgive you this time1--so now to our story4 ,you must know1 then1 that a great change has taken place in ,agnes1 ever since the sudden death of poor ,lelia ,amberton1 the particulars of which ,i wrote to you at the time it occurred4 ,agnes grew very low-spirited1 and in consequence lost her health1 and was ordered by the physician to the country1 to recruit her failing strength4 ,on her return1 her dejection had entirely vanished2 but still she was very different to what she had formerly been4 ,to the great astonishment1 and even displeasure of her relatives1 she gently but firmly declined all invitations to balls1 or gay parties1 refused to attend the theatre1 and1 to her friends' earnest expostulations and inquiries as to the reasons for such a course1 declared 'that she had1 at length1 become convinced of the vanity and sinfulness of such pursuits1 and no longer dared to peril her immortal interests by engaging in them4' ,but1 ,edward ,lincoln1 how does he approve of this strange alteration8 inquired ,arthur1 in a tone which1 in spite of himself1 could not conceal his evident interest4 ,oh1 poor ,edward has been discarded long ago4 ,discarded6 ,what do you mean1 ,ella1 that she has broken her engagement with him8 ,yes2 or1 rather1 they mutually agreed in the matter1 and thereby caused fresh disappointment to ,agnes's friends1 whose opposition has risen to such a height1 that ,i believe they have almost threatened to expel her from home4 ,barbarous6 exclaimed ,arthur1 hastily1 his eye flashing with indignation4 ,but ,i suspect they would hardly carry that threat into effect4 ,and what reason was assigned for the breaking of the engagement8 ,oh1 nothing more than non-agreement of sentiment4 ,when ,i was reasoning with ,agnes about it1 one day1 she said to me1 ',how can two walk together except they be agreed8 ,i grant1 dear ,ella1 that ,mr4 ,lincoln is all you have said1 handsome1 intelligent1 and possesses many estimable qualities2 but these qualities1 to be permanent1 must be based on principles drawn from the ,word of ,truth4 ,do not think1 my friend1 that it was without a struggle ,i have resigned him4 ,no1 the conflict was long and bitter2 but ,i was enabled1 at last1 to yield to my convictions of duty4 ,and1 indeed1 he himself has confessed1 that whatever ,i might have done once1 ,i should never have suited him now4 ,our views are diametrically opposed2 the gayeties of life1 which ,i have gladly resigned1 he still takes delight in1 and when ,i have endeavored feebly1 but earnestly1 to lead him to seek for more enduring joys1 his only reply is a merry laugh at my enthusiasm1 which1 he predicts1 will soon evaporate4 ,no1 ,ella1 there is little in unison between us1 and it is far better to break our engagement now1 than to find1 when too late1 that we had entered into a union productive of misery to us both4' ,agnes is certainly a singular girl1 said ,arthur1 musingly4 ,oh1 but ,i have not told you all4 ,she has been a ,sabbath-school teacher1 has established a day school for poor children1 which she superintends1 and there is no fear of her tempting a gentleman to take a glass of wine1 for last1 but not least1 she has become a teetotaller4 ,there1 what think you of that8 and yet1 ,i do not know how it happens1 but in spite of her singular ways1 ,i seem to like her better than ever4 ,there is nothing in her manner that indicates a consciousness of superior merit1 but she is so truly kind1 and her countenance wears so peaceful and heavenly an expression1 that ,i can never weary of gazing at her1 and in my sober moods1 which occur once or twice in a twelvemonth1 have some idea of following her example4 ,and now1 ,arthur1 ,ella added playfully1 if ,miss ,wiltshire comes not up to your standard of female excellence1 ,i should despair of ever finding one that did4 ,arthur was about to reply1 but was interrupted by the announcement of a visitor4 ,slightly annoyed1 for he had become really interested in the conversation1 and1 resolving to slip away the first convenient opportunity1 he turned to salute the lady1 whose name he had not heard1 when1 ,ella's exclamation of surprise and pleasure fell on his ear4 ,why1 ,agnes1 have you came at last8 ,i almost thought ,i was never to see you again4 ,i called twice1 but you were out4 ,yes1 ,i was very sorry1 but a particular engagement called me from home4 ,arthur1 have you forgotten your old friend1 ,miss ,wiltshire8 inquired ,ella of her brother1 who was waiting an opportunity to address her4 ,it would be a difficult task to do that1 was the reply1 while the cordial clasp of the hand and kindly tone1 told how pleasant was that meeting to one of the party at least4 ,you should rather have inquired if ,miss ,wiltshire had forgotten me1 which is far more probable4 ,i never forget my friends1 said ,agnes1 with a slight emphasis on the word friends4 ,and to be numbered among ,miss ,wiltshire's friends1 ,i consider no ordinary privilege1 was ,arthur's reply1 as he insisted on her occupying an easy chair by the blazing fire1 which the clear but chilly air of autumn rendered indispensable to comfort4 ,i am afraid you have learned the art of flattery in your travels1 ,mr4 ,bernard4 ,flattery6 exclaimed ,ella1 drawing up a chair close to her friend1 and smiling at her brother1 who was seated opposite2 ,i only wish you had heard him1 ,agnes1 a little while ago1 in what terms he spoke of our sex1 for if you had1 you would agree with me1 that the title of woman-hater would be far more appropriate than flatterer4 ,ella1 ,ella1 that is hardly fair1 said ,arthur1 while his cheek became slightly flushed4 ,but what did he say about us1 ,ella8 ,agnes inquired1 smiling half mischievously at his evident embarrassment4 ,say1 all sorts of things2 he declared that the great majority of us care for little else but pleasure2 that the idea of exerting our influence for good is one that we seldom ever entertain1 and he wound up his exceedingly edifying lecture by a dismal story of a lady1 whose persuasions induced a friend of his to break a promise which he had made to abstain from intoxicating liquors1 and was1 thereby1 led to an untimely death4 ,you have been bringing very grave charges against our sex1 ,mr4 ,bernard1 said ,agnes1 with a sweet seriousness1 that1 however unusual1 well became her fair youthful face2 and ,i am afraid we should have to plead guilty in too many instances4 ,still1 even those who appear the most thoughtless1 have their hours of reflection1 no doubt1 when they feel the utter insipidity of a life of pleasure--false pleasure--and form many resolutions to abandon it2 but habit is strong1 and example powerful1 and once immersed in the gayeties of life1 nothing short of strength from above can make them to 'come out from the world1 and to become separate4' ,a deeper shade of seriousness passed over ,agnes's expressive countenance as she uttered these words4 ,it was evident they had evoked some painful recollections1 and1 as ,arthur gazed on the down-cast face1 on the long silken eyelashes that but half concealed the tear that unhidden rose to the lustrous eye1 and observed her lip quivering with suppressed emotion1 he easily divined1 from his previous conversation with his sister1 the cause of her agitation4 ,she has suffered1 and in the cause of truth1 was his mental ejaculation4 ,oh1 to have the privilege of cheering and sustaining one so lovely6 but ,man may not hope her heart to win1 ,be his of common mould4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,a few select friends had assembled at ,mrs4 ,bernard's1 to celebrate ,ella's birthday4 ,it will not do to have a dancing-party1 ,mamma1 said ,ella1 when they were making the necessary arrangements1 it will not do to have a dancing-party1 or ,agnes will refuse to come1 and ,i have set my heart on having her1 and ,i strongly suspect somebody else has done the same1 glancing mischievously at her brother1 who had just entered the room4 ,i am sure1 too1 ,i shall enjoy myself a great deal better with a few select friends1 than if we had a large1 gay party4 ,have it your own way1 my dear1 said the mother1 fondly kissing her daughter's fair upturned brow2 if it pleases you1 ,i am sure it will satisfy me4 ,thank you1 dear ,mamma1 and now ,i have nothing to do but to write my invitations1 and send them4 ,but1 ,arthur1 ,i declare you have not said a word2 one would imagine1 only ,i know better1 that you do not feel at all interested in the matter4 ,interested1 why should ,i1 in your foolish parties8 ,do you not know ,i have something better to think of8 ,doubtless1 and you do not care in the least who accepts the invitations4 ,now1 confess1 for you may as well1 that when ,i proposed1 a few evenings ago1 having a small select gathering of friends for ,agnes's sake1 your very eyes shone with joy1 for all you did wear that provoking grave look4 ,confess1 too1 that you have thought of little else ever since4 ,i am sure you dreamed about it last night1 for you looked very smiling as you entered the breakfast room this morning4 ,you are an incorrigible little rattle-brain1 ,ella1 and1 to punish you1 ,i have a great mind to declare ,i will not enter your party4 ,how would you like that8 ,i am not in the least alarmed1 brother dear1 that that threat will be carried into execution1 for the very good and sufficient reason1 that you would thus punish yourself worse than me4 ,but if ,i stand talking any longer1 my invitations will not be written in season1 so ,i must defer our very edifying conversation till another opportunity1--and1 humming a favorite air1 the lively girl danced gaily out of the room4 ,arthur1 left alone1 stood for a moment musing1 half amused and half vexed with his sister4 ,he scarcely had ever mentioned ,agnes's name1 and yet1 he could not conceal from himself that he felt an interest in her1 beyond that he had ever experienced for any other woman4 ,absence is love's food1 so poets say1 and ,arthur proved the truth of the observation4 ,while spending his college vacations at home1 he had often met with her before2 and1 even then1 she charmed him as no other woman ever did1 but when report told of her engagement to ,edward ,lincoln1 honor forbade him any longer to cherish hopes which he had allowed to tint with their bright hues his dreams of the future4 ,he had shunned her society as far as possible from that time while at home1 and striven1 while at college and during his year's sojourn in foreign lands1 to banish her image from his remembrance1 and vainly imagined he had succeeded2 but the flame1 though it may be dimmed1 was by no means quenched1 and was ready1 at the slightest encouragement1 to burst forth with renewed vigor4 ,but we have digressed4 ,mrs4 ,bernard's drawing-room presented a picture of comfort and elegance as ,agnes entered it on the evening of ,ella's party4 ,a few select friends were gathered there1 all apparently perfectly at home1 and amusing themselves without restraint1 according to their diversified inclinations4 ,some were examining the choice engravings that lay scattered on the tables2 others were standing in a group round the piano1 admiring some new music which ,ella had that day received2 while the elder members of the party were gathered round the fireside1 enjoying its cheerful blaze1 and merrily discussing the events of the season4 ,innocent amusement seemed to be the rule of the evening1 and ,agnes1 though she had left home unusually depressed in spirits1 felt a glow of pleasure thrill through her heart as she contemplated the scene1 and responded with her usual sweet1 though1 latterly1 pensive smile1 the kind greetings of her friends4 ,how pale ,miss ,wiltshire looks to-night1 observed one young lady to another who was seated at the piano as ,agnes entered the apartment4 ,she does1 indeed1 pale and sad both1 was the response4 ,arthur1 who had overheard the remark1 could not help admitting to himself its correctness1 as he crossed the room to pay his respects to ,agnes1 and as1 unobserved1 he watched her closely1 it was evident to him that1 while with her usual unselfishness1 she strove to promote the happiness of others by entering cheerfully into conversation1 from the half suppressed sigh1 and the shadow that at intervals stole over her face1 some painful subject1 very foreign from the scene around1 occupied her thoughts4 ,i am afraid you are not well to-night1 ,miss ,wiltshire1 he at length said1 in a tone low and gentle as a woman's1 for ,agnes1 seated on a corner of the sofa1 and imagining herself unobserved by the rest of the company1 had for a moment closed her eyes1 as though to shut out surrounding objects1 while an expression of mental anguish flitted across her features4 ,how precious to the aching heart is human sympathy4 ,the words were nothing in themselves1 but the tenderness of tone in which they were spoken1 told plainly that it was anything but a matter of indifference to the speaker1 and ,agnes1 blushing deeply as she met ,arthur's compassionate glance1 felt the conviction1 darting like a ray of sunbeam through her mind1 that to at least one person in the world she was dearer than aught else beside4 ,i have only a slight headache1 was her reply to his kind inquiry1 and one which was strictly correct1 for the headache was the result of mental agitation during the day4 ,i shall recommend you1 then1 to sit quite still1 while ,i constitute myself1 for the evening1 your devoted knight2 and shall1 therefore1 remain here1 ready to obey your slightest behests1 be they what they may4 ,i shall certainly then insist1 in the first place1 that others be not deprived of the pleasure of your company for my gratification4 ,i should be selfish1 indeed1 if ,i allowed you to do so4 ,notwithstanding1 here ,i am1 and here ,i intend to remain until ,i am forced away1 said ,arthur1 smiling as1 seating himself comfortably beside her on the sofa1 he drew a portfolio from the centre table1 which contained some sketches taken during his recent tour1 and1 in pointing out the different places and relating his adventures in each1 ,agnes became so much interested as to forget her headache1 and even the anxiety which had weighed down her mind but a short time before4 ,there was one picture that seemed particularly to attract her attention4 ,it was the sketch of a small church1 whose white walls peeped out from the midst of thick foliage1 and whose opened doors seemed to welcome the worshippers that in every direction were seen apparently wending their way towards it4 ,agnes gazed at it long and earnestly4 ,she laid it down and took it up again1 while ,arthur1 who could not imagine why she seemed to admire this sketch in preference to others whose artistic merits were far superior1 gazed on her with some surprise4 ,i see you are wondering1 ,mr4 ,bernard1 she said1 as she marked the inquiring expression of his countenance1 why this scene should particularly attract me4 ,it is because it reminds me of the happiest hours of my life1 for1 in a church1 whose situation and appearance exactly resembles this1 ,i first learned where true bliss was to be found4 ,a valuable lesson truly1 ,miss ,wiltshire1 and one which ,i would feel thankful if you could impart to me1 for ,i assure you ,i am sadly in need of it4 ,dissatisfied with the world1 ,i still see so much hypocrisy in the church1--there are so many1 even among those who minister in holy things1 who seem by their actions wedded to the vanities which they profess to renounce1 that ,i turn away with a feeling akin to disgust1 and am almost ready to believe that the piety which characterized the first professors of ,christianity has totally disappeared4 ,perhaps you have not been looking for it in the right place1 ,mr4 ,bernard4 ,there are many whose religion consists in outward observances1 while the heart is given up to its idol2 but1 granting there was not one in the world who was really the possessor of true religion1 ',what is that to thee8' ,the claims of ,heaven are not less binding on you1 because not recognized or responded to by the multitude1 for each must render an account of himself1 whether the offering of the heart1 the only acceptable one1 has been presented1 or whether we have turned coldly away from the voice of the charmer1 charm it ever so wisely4 ,there was silence for a few moments1 which was broken by an observation from ,arthur4 ,do you know of whom you remind me1 ,miss ,wiltshire8 ,of a distant relative of my mother's1 who resided with us for a time1 when ,i was but a boy4 ,she was a young woman then2 ,i1 a wild1 heedless boy2 but her look1 her smile1 her very words1 are indelibly impressed on my mind4 ,what a lovely example of all ,christian graces was she1 for in her they seemed blended1 like the exquisite tints of the rainbow1 into a perfect whole4 ,her gentle reproof1--her winning manner ever alluring us to that which was right1--her unwearied endeavor to make all around her happy1--these1 combined with every womanly charm1 made her appear1 in my eyes1 more than human2 and when death came1 much and deeply as ,i lamented the loss1 ,i could scarcely wonder that ,heaven had reclaimed its own4 ,there was a pause1 and then ,arthur added1--,that ,i have not gone to the same extent in folly as others1 ,i believe ,i owe to her1 for when tempted1 by my gay companions at college1 to join them in the pleasures of sin1 her look of mild entreaty seemed ever before me1 deterring me from ill2 and ,i often think1 had she lived1 ,i might to-day have been a better and more useful man4 ,agnes had been an attentive listener4 ,i do not wonder1 she said1 as he ceased speaking1 that you so highly estimate woman's influence1 for you have largely benefited by it2 but though dead1 she yet speaketh4 ,do you remember what ,young says respecting dying friends8 ,that they are ',angels sent on errands full of love1 ,for us they sicken1 and for us they die4' ,we sometimes wonder at the mysterious ,providence which often suddenly removes the excellent from earth2 while the wicked are allowed to remain2 but may it not be graciously ordered thus1 to excite in us an ardent desire for that preparation which shall enable us to greet our friends on the shores of the better land4 ,oh1 without such a hope what would life be4 ',it lifts the fainting spirit up1 ,it brings to life the dead4' ,how often should ,i be ready to sink in despair1 and ,agnes's lips quivered with emotion1 were it not that ,i am permitted to look forward to that inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled1 and which shall prove an abundant recompense for those 'light afflictions which are but for a moment4' ,but you1 said ,arthur1 half inquiringly1 are1 ,i trust1 a stranger to those afflictions4 ',rose-leaved from the cold1 ,and meant1 verily1 to hold ,life's pure pleasures manifold4' ,my childhood and youth has1 indeed1 passed amid flowers and sunshine1 was the reply2 and if the future appears now to point to a more gloomy and thornier path1 ,i will not repine to tread it1 for ',here little1 and hereafter much1 ,is true from age to age4' ,arthur1 as he was about making a reply1 was interrupted by his sister1 who came to request ,agnes to play for her a favorite tune1 and their conversation1 with the exception of an occasional word now and then1 was ended for that evening4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,the only son of his mother1 and she was a widow1-- ,arthur ,bernard1 as he attained to manhood1 seemed to realize1 in person and character1 all a fond mother's fondest anticipations4 ,his stately form1 as he mingled among his compeers1 did not tower more above them1 than did his lofty mind1 stored with sound principles1 and embellished with varied learning1 seem to soar above their grovelling ideas1 and to breathe a higher and purer atmosphere4 ,a glance at his countenance would have sufficed for the most casual observer to have read1 in every lineament1 the impress of a noble and chivalrous nature4 ,yes1 gentle reader1 start not at the word chivalrous4 ,it may be1 from his previous conversation on woman's foibles1 that you have been1 ready to form a very different opinion1--but you are mistaken2 and so will you often find yourself in the journey of life1 should you thus estimate character in general4 ,deceit frequently lurks beneath the smile and honeyed words of the flatterers1 and he who believes that the avenues to woman's heart are only accessible by such means1 proves1 beyond a doubt1 that he has associated with none but the frivolous1 the vain and weak-minded of the sex4 ,poor1 indeed1 is that compliment which man pays to woman1 when he expatiates on her sparkling eyes1 her flowing tresses1 and ruby lips1 as though she were only a beautifully fashioned creature of clay1 while he virtually ignores the existence of those higher and holier powers which she shares in common with man1 and which make her1 in proportion to their wise and careful development1 akin to the angels4 ,arthur ,bernard was no flatterer1 it is true1 but chivalrous in every sense of the word4 ,a keen appreciator of all that is honorable and high-minded1 he could not stoop to those petty meanesses1 which too often characterize the conduct of those who flatter themselves with the name of gentleman1--a title which ,tennyson forcibly describes as ,usurped by every charlatan1 ,and soiled with all ignoble use4 ,courage to meet any emergency1 firmness to resist temptation when presented in its most alluring form1 was blended with that genuine kindness of manner1 that deference towards the weak and defenceless1 which renders its fortunate possessor not only esteemed1 but beloved4 ,yet with so much that was admirable in mind and heart1 of him it might be said1 as it was of one of old1 ,one thing thou lackest4 ,strange1 that the subject of the greatest importance should be1 too often1 the one most seldom dwelt on1 too frequently thrust aside1 until1 in the season of affliction and the hour of death1 its terrible magnitude is first realized--realized1 perhaps1 forever too late4 ,regular in his attendance on all the ordinances of worship1 his heart had remained unaffected2 but this indifference was owing1 it may be1 in a measure1 to the discourses to which he was in the habit of listening from ,sabbath to ,sabbath1--discourses which1 while they portrayed in fairest colors the beauty of a moral life1 seemed to forget the natural depravity of the human heart1 and the necessity of the mind being fully renewed1 in order that it might carry those principles into effect4 ,mrs4 ,bernard1 though a devoted mother1 and1 in many respects1 an excellent woman1 had never realized1 for herself1 the blessedness of things unseen4 ,she had been contented to sail smoothly along the stream of life1 which for the most part had been ruffled by few storms1 and she almost forgot1 as day after day and week after week glided past1 they were bearing her frail bark swiftly on to the ocean of eternity4 ,there was a time1--it seemed to her now like a dream as she looked back1--that she had thought more of these things1 for they were presented to her in a living form1 embracing1 as it were1 in the daily walk and conversation of a relative1 who had been for some time an inmate of her dwelling4 ,the lovely traits developed in the character of this lady1 had won the matron's heart1 and especially had she appreciated the unbounded care and tenderness which her friend exercised towards her children1 ,ella and ,arthur4 ,but this messenger of peace passed away to a brighter clime1 and the impression made by her brief sojourn seemed to have become erased from the memory2 like the morning cloud and the early dew1 it soon passed away4 ,yet was she not altogether forgotten1 nor had her labors of love been entirely in vain4 ,to her it was that ,arthur had alluded in his conversation with ,miss ,wiltshire1 for childhood's heart is tender and impressible1 and from her instructions he had imbided many of those lofty and noble sentiments which now characterized him2 and often1 when the tide of worldliness rushed in to bear him away on its fierce current1 that gentle form would seem to stand before him1 and he would hear again1 in fancy1 the soft tones of that voice1 beseeching him to pause1 and consider his doings4 ,oh1 woman1 woman1 how potent is thy influence1 which thou exercisest1 in thy apparently limited sphere1 over the human race4 ,thy tender hand moulds the plastic mind of childhood2 thy gentle rebuke checks the wayward impulses of impetuous youth2 thy loving sympathy and voice counsel1 cheer1 and stimulate manhood2 and to thee age and infirmity look up with confidence and delight1 assured that thy unwearied care will not be wanting to smooth their passage to the tomb4 ,blessed office6 ,high and holy ministration6 ,well1 indeed1 for mankind1 if woman were but truly alive to the onerous duties and responsibilities that devolve upon her2 well for her1 and those by whom she is surrounded1 if instead of being as1 alas1 she too often is1 the encourager of man in evil1 she would ever prove the supporter and upholder of that which is good1 and by her example and persuasion1 ,allure to brighter worlds1 and lead the way4 ,arthur ,bernard on leaving college had spent some years in travelling through ,europe1 and had but just returned when our story commences4 ,left in affluent circumstances at the death of his father1 which had taken place while he was yet a child1 there was little necessity for exertion2 but of an active and energetic disposition1 he could not remain comparatively unemployed2 and obtaining a situation in one of the principal banks in the city1 he devoted the income1 acquired by it1 to aid in the diffusion of useful knowledge among his fellow-townsmen1 and for the alleviation of the wants of the helpless and distressed1 for never did the needy apply to him in vain4 ,he looked not with a captious eye upon their faults and follies1--did not harshly repel them because sin had1 in many instances1 led to their distress1 but first relieving their bodily necessities1 strove1 by wise counsel1 kindly administered1 to raise the fallen1 cheer the hopeless1 and assist the outcast and degraded in retrieving their position1 and again becoming useful members of society4 ,ella1 his sister1 a light-hearted girl of eighteen1 over whose fair head prosperity had hitherto scattered its richest blossoms1 resembled her brother in kindness of disposition2 but her gay and volatile temper formed a charming contrast to his grave and subdued manner4 ,five years her elder1 ,arthur's brotherly affection was mingled with an air of almost fatherly protection2 and to him1 next to her mother1 she had been in the habit of appealing1 and never in vain1 for advice and assistance in any emergency2 and while his gravity checked1 in some measure1 the mirth which might have degenerated into frivolity1 her light-heartedness1 in its turn1 exercised a wholesome influence over him1 and1 like the gentle breeze1 scattered the clouds which sometimes brooded darkly over his spirit4 ,but the declaration of ,sacred ,writ is1 ,one event happeneth to all4 ,none1 as they beheld that united and happy family1 the centre of a numerous circle of friends1 admired and beloved in the community1 imagined the change which was so soon to come o'er the spirit of their dream4 ,a few weeks only had elapsed1 after the festive scene we have portrayed in a former chapter1 when one morning ,ella1 on entering her mother's chamber1 which adjoined her own1 was surprised to find1 for the hour was unusually late1 that she had not yet risen4 ,with noiseless step she approached the couch1 and with gentle hand drew back the curtain1 thinking to wake her by a kiss1 when1 terrible spectacle to her affectionate heart1 she beheld her idolized mother1 not sleeping as she had expected1 but every lineament transfixed and motionless in death6 ,an apoplectic fit1--so the physician affirmed1--must have seized her during the watches of the night1 and thus1 suddenly and fearfully1 had she been called to her final account4 ,we draw a veil over that mournful scene1 for too sacred is it for a stranger's eye4 ,on her children its effect was deep and lasting4 ,ella especially seemed sinking beneath the blow1 and her brother1 fearing for her reason1 if not her life1 with gentle violence almost compelled her to bid adieu to her native city1 and1 accompanied by him1 seek1 in change of scene1 some alleviation for the grief that preyed so deeply on her spirit4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,the steamboat wharf of the town of ,elton was truly a scene of busy life4 ,the steamer was making full preparations for the embarkation of passengers to a distant city2 and the wharf was crowded with bales of goods1 casks of water1 cabs1 trucks1 c4 ,business men were hurrying to and fro1 sailors were shouting to each other1 and friends were hastily clambering up the plank and springing on deck to remain a few minutes longer1 if possible1 with those from1 whom they were so soon to be severed1 it might be for years1 and it might be forever4 ,but the bell has rung once1 twice1 its warning note1 and now1 for the third time1 it peals out on the clear air4 ,the last clasp of the hand1 the hurried embrace1 the fervent ,god bless you1 is given1 and those who are to remain have trodden the plank1 regained the wharf1 and now turn1 before departing to their respective homes1 to take a farewell glance at the steamer1 as she moves slowly and gracefully away1 bearing1 it may be1 from many their heart's most cherished idols4 ,the passengers are assembled on deck1 watching the receding shores1 and many handkerchiefs are waving a last response to those eager glances1 an adieu which1 alas1 few there dream shall prove final to so many4 ,at the farther end of the deck1 close by the railing1 is seated a lady in travelling costume4 ,she is alone1 for her companion1 an elderly gentleman1 has left her to salute a friend whose face he had just recognized among the crowd of passengers4 ,a lady accompanies you1 ,i see1 was the remark made to ,mr4 ,cameron by his friend1 the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,dunseer1 after the first salutations were over4 ,yes1 ,miss ,wiltshire1 from ,b----4 ,miss ,wiltshire8 ,i thought ,i recognized the countenance as one ,i had seen before4 ,ah1 so you have had a previous acquaintance with her4 ,yes2 for ,i am sure it is the same person4 ,she is the niece1 is she not1 of ,mr4 ,denham1 of ,b----2 but ,i first met her when she was visiting the part of the country in which ,i was stationed for a year or two4 ,i remember perfectly the time1 was the reply4 ,her relatives had become alarmed at her failing health1 and change of air had been ordered by the physician4 ,and so she is going to ,h----4 ,yes1 on a visit to her mother's brother1 ,mr4 ,edwards4 ,his only daughter is about to be married1 and they have sent for her to be bride's maid4 ,miss ,wiltshire has never seen any of the family as yet1 with the exception of ,mr4 ,edwards1 who came to ,b----1 on business1 and then1 for the first time1 had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with his niece4 ,it is rather singular1 was the reply1 while a smile lighted up the fine countenance of the speaker1 that ,i am on a somewhat similar errand4 ,the groom1 who for many years has been an intimate friend of mine1 insisted on my performing the marriage ceremony4 ,i maintained that it was the lady's privilege to select a clergyman1 but1 as he said that their wishes were one in that respect1 ,i was compelled to concede1 and am on my way thither for that purpose4 ,i am heartily glad of it1 said ,mr4 ,cameron4 ,miss ,wiltshire will1 ,i am sure1 be pleased to see you again1 and she will now have more agreeable company than an old man like me can possibly be2 so if you have no objection we will join her1 for she appears to be engaged in a converse with solitude4 ,i was about proposing to do so1 for to renew my acquaintance with one whom ,i had learned1 during her brief sojourn1 so highly to esteem1 will indeed be an agreeable episode in my journey4 ,while this conversation was carried on between the two friends1 ,agnes had risen from her seat1 and with one hand on the railing was leaning slightly over the side of the steamer1 watching the ebb and flow of the transparent waves1 or gazing fondly on the shores fast fading in the distance4 ,she was not apt to be melancholy2 indeed1 she seldom allowed herself to indulge in a mood so opposed to that cheerfulness which should characterize a ,christian2 but as she stood there gazing on the mingled beauties of sea and land1 more beautiful than ever at this hour1 when the golden hues of sunset were reflected in the placid waters1 and touched with fresh glory the distant hills1 dark and gloomy shadows stole over her spirit4 ,and1 indeed1 distressing to youth1 so dependent on the kindness and sympathy of others1 were the circumstances under which she was now placed4 ,she had bade adieu to the friends who had watched over her from childhood1 not as hitherto1 during her brief visits1 with the loving farewell and the earnest injunction to speedily return2 but cold looks and colder words had marked that parting1 with the very distant intimation1 on the part of her uncle1 that if1 on the expiration of her sojourn among strangers1 her fanatical views2 as he termed them1 remained unchanged1 she must expect to find herself banished from the home of her childhood4 ,poor ,agnes6 a painful decision awaited her4 ,with all the affection of her warm and unsophisticated spirit1 had she repaid the tenderness that had been lavished upon her1 and now to find herself charged with having acted a foolish and ungrateful part1--to be thrust forth from a home of luxury1--from the attention and sympathy of friends1--to battle with a world that has but little kindness1 in general1 to spare for those who need it most2 these were painful and harassing thoughts1 and what wonder they weighed down that gentle and timid spirit1 and suffused those lustrous eyes which1 until lately1 had seldom shed the tear of sorrow1 except for other's woes4 ,but as1 lost in these troubled reflections1 she glanced at the giant waves beneath her1 suddenly a sweet promise of ,holy ,writ was applied to her agitated mind1 ,when thou passest through the waters ,i will be with thee1 and through the floods1 they shall not overflow thee1--and immediately her spirit grew calmer1 while a sense of peace1 comfort and security1 quelled each rising doubt4 ,i have nothing to fear1 she murmured4 ,his voice commands the tempest forth1 ,and stills the stormy wave1-- ,and though his arm be strong to smite1 ',tis also strong to save4 ,agnes was aroused from her reverie by ,mr4 ,cameron's cheerful voice4 ,my dear ,miss ,wiltshire1 allow me to present to you an old friend4 ,she turned to salute the stranger1 but what was her surprise and delight to find in him the clergyman under whose ministrations she had so largely profited4 ,the pleasure1 indeed1 seemed mutual1 for though ,mr4 ,dunseer1 having shortly after ,agnes's departure for the city left that part of the country1 had consequently heard nothing more of her1 he still remembered his young and attentive hearer1 and had often since then desired to see her again1 and ascertain if indeed the impressions made were lasting1 or had been obliterated amid the whirl and gayety of fashionable life4 ,still more delighted was ,agnes when she learned of his destination2 it seemed a link binding her to those with whom1 with the exception of ,mr4 ,edwards1 she was totally unacquainted2 and from the depth of her heart she silently thanked the kind ,providence who had thus directed her steps1 and permitted a meeting so fraught with comfort and encouragement at the very time most needed4 ,long and pleasant was the converse of friends that evening1 and it was not until some time after the sun had set1 and dark and heavy clouds1 sweeping across the sky like armies gathering to battle1 had obscured the light of the rising moon1 that ,agnes1 with a heart peaceful and trusting1 retired to her state-room1 and in spite of the dash of waves1 and the wail of the rising wind1 resigned herself to slumbers calm and blest4 ,but from pleasant dreams of home and friends1 she was suddenly aroused by the confusion and hurried tramping of feet above her head1 mingled with the shrieks of women and children1 and the fearful ejaculations of terrified men4 ,agnes started up1 scarcely realizing that she was indeed on the wide billows of the raging sea4 ,drawing aside the curtains from her berth1 she glanced out into the cabin4 ,it was not day1 for the lights were burning brightly1 but the place was a scene of wild dismay2 women wringing their hands2 children clinging to their mothers2 all bespoke such terror and despair1 that for a moment ,agnes felt bewildered2 but quickly recovering herself1 and hastily rising1 she was soon in the midst of the terrified group1 where she was immediately joined by ,mr4 ,cameron and his friend4 ,what is the matter8 was her first ejaculation4 ,the steamer is on fire1 was the fearful reply4 ,quick1 my dear girl1 secure whatever you find to be most necessary1 while they are getting the boats ready4 ,with that self-possession so invaluable in the time of danger1 ,agnes hastily1 but calmly1 equipped herself comfortably1 secured about her person a small purse of money1 and then aided the other lady passengers in their frantic efforts to prepare for this trying emergency4 ,very soon the ,captain's stentorian voice was heard1--,the boats are ready1 ladies1 there is no time to be lost4 ,with a face pallid as death1 yet serene in its very paleness1 ,agnes1 accompanied by her two friends1 and followed by a number of the other passengers1 ascended the staircase1 and1 having gained the deck1 glanced for an instant at the fearful scene4 ,there was1 indeed1 as the ,captain had affirmed1 no time to be lost4 ,the fire1 which had originated in the engine-room1 from the carelessness of one of the hands1 was now making fearful headway1 in spite of the continued efforts of the sailors by deluging it with buckets of water1 to mitigate in a measure1 its ravages4 ,all the fore-part of the vessel was burning1 and awfully sublime was the spectacle as the flames mounted higher and higher1 casting their lurid glare over the intensely dark waste of waters1 whose turbid and sullen waves1 lashed into fury by a fierce north-eastern blast1 seemed warning the unhappy sufferers of the fearful fate that awaited them1 should they commit themselves more immediately to its mercy4 ,but the danger of embarkation in those frail boats1 on an ocean that every moment grew more tempestuous1 was almost lost sight of in contemplation of the nearer and more fearful fate that awaited them should they linger2 and quickly1 and with scarce a murmur of apprehension1 the boat was filled4 ,while ,mr4 ,cameron was assisting ,agnes into the frail boat1 ,mr4 ,dunseer1 who had secured a life-preserver1 as soon as she was safely seated handed it to her1 observing that if the boat should be upset1 by clinging to it she might be preserved from a watery grave4 ,thanking him for his kind consideration at such a time1 ,agnes inquired anxiously of the two gentlemen whether they were not to accompany her4 ,no2 was the reply of ,mr4 ,cameron4 ,i fear we must be separated1 but only ,i trust for a time4 ,this boat is not sufficiently large to hold more than the lady passengers and the sailors who are to manage it4 ,we are to embark1 as soon as you are safely off1 in another1 but as both will steer for the same shore1 and keep near each other as much as possible1 ,i trust1 by the mercy of ,providence1 we shall meet again on terra firma4 ,yes1 responded the minister1 who had been for a moment silent1 and his clear voice sounded like the spirit of peace above the roaring flames and raging billows1 we are steering1 ,i trust1 for the same shore1 and should we never meet again on earth1 may it be our happy lot to greet each other in the haven of eternal rest1 haven to take the shipwrecked in4 ,agnes's heart was for a moment too full to speak1 but controlling herself1 she said to ,mr4 ,cameron in a hurried whisper1 ,if anything should happen to me1 and you again behold my friends1 tell them1 oh1 tell them1 that my last thoughts were for them2 tell them not to lament for me1 for ,i shall be at rest1 but1 oh1 ,i charge1 ,i implore them to meet me in heaven6 ,a burst of tears closed the sentence2 she could no longer restrain her feelings4 ,we must leave you now1 my dear child1 said ,mr4 ,cameron1 after promising compliance with her request4 ,may heaven bless and help you4 ,and may ,he who holds the winds and the waves in the hollow of his hand1 preserve you1 and all1 through the hours of this terrible night1 was the solemn ejaculation of ,mr4 ,dunseer1 as pressing for the last time her hand1 the final order was given1 the boat pushed out from the side of the burning vessel1 and she was left in the midst of strangers2 strangers personally1 yet linked together by the sympathy arising from mutual danger4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,letters from home at last1 said ,arthur ,bernard1 as he entered the private salon of an hotel1 located in a pretty town in the south of ,france4 ,i had begun to think our friends had quite forgotten us1 he continued1 addressing his sister1 who1 seated in a recess formed by a large bow-window1 had been anxiously watching for his return4 ,you have not opened any of them yet1 she said1 as she came eagerly forward to receive her share4 ,no2 was the reply4 ,i knew how anxiously you were waiting1 and hastened that we might read them together4 ,always thoughtful1 dear brother1 of my comfort1 you quite spoil me1 said ,ella1 with an affectionate smile1 but in a tone1 whose subdued sound1 proved a striking contrast to her former vivacity4 ,for the next few moments silence reigned in the apartment1 for each were busily engaged in perusing their respective epistles4 ,it was broken at length by an exclamation from ,ella1 which arrested her brother's attention1 and looking up from the opened sheet he held in his hand1 he ejaculated with alarm1-- ,for pity's sake1 ,ella1 what is the matter8 for his sister's cheek had become colorless as marble1 and sinking into a seat1 she burst into a passion of tears4 ,still more alarmed1 he laid down the letter1 and advancing to her1 implored her to tell him the cause of her agitation4 ,read for yourself1 she said1 for ,i cannot bear to speak of it4 ,oh1 ,agnes1 ,agnes6 ,a fresh mist of tears followed these words4 ,agnes1 what of her8 and ,arthur's cheek became almost as blanched as his sister's1 and his hand trembled as he grasped the fatal manuscript4 ,he seemed to forget that the name might belong to some other than ,miss ,wiltshire1 for among the circle of their acquaintance there were two or three with a similar designation1 but in his inmost thoughts1 though he had never thus addressed her1 he had been so accustomed to associate it with the remembrance of herself1 that it had become dear and sacred as a household word1 and when his sister's ejaculation of ,agnes1 ,agnes1 met his ear1 he never dreamed of other1 for ,there was but one such name for him ,so soft1 so kind1 so eloquent4 ,the letter was from a lady acquaintance of ,ella's1 written in a fine ,italian hand1 not very intelligible1 and crossed and re-crossed in a most elaborate manner4 ,commend me to a lady's epistle1 he said1 in a tone more nearly approaching to bitterness than his sister had ever heard from him before4 ,and1 indeed1 trying to the patience at any time1 its perusal1 just now1 seemed a hopeless task2 but at length1 at the foot of the closing page1 the writer having largely expatiated on the loss she had sustained in the departure of her dear friend ,ella1 and how eagerly she had looked forward to her return1 and having exhausted all other items of information which she hoped1 she added1 might not prove uninteresting to her friend and ,mr4 ,bernard1 very coolly wound up by remarking1 ,by the bye1 ,i suppose you have not heard of ,miss ,wiltshire's unhappy fate4 ,i think it was a week or two after you left ,b----1 that she embarked in one of the steamers1 ostensibly on a visit to a relative who resided in ,h----1 to act as bridesmaid for his daughter1 but with an intimation from her uncle1 so ,i understand1 that unless she relinquished her fanatic notions1 she must no longer expect a home beneath his roof4 ,the vessel in which she embarked sailed at the appointed time1 but never reached its destination4 ,it took fire the night after leaving the harbor1 and all efforts to quench the flames were unavailing4 ,the passengers1 of whom there were a large number on board1 attempted to escape in boats2 some were fortunate enough to succeed1 but the ladies1 among whom was ,miss ,wiltshire1 without exception1 found a watery grave4 ,it appears that the females had been first placed in one of the boats manned by two or three sailors1 and then another boat received the male passengers and crew4 ,they had hoped to keep near each other1 but were separated by the dark and tempestuous night4 ,the gentlemen were fortunate enough to gain land1 after a good deal of sailing1 and from thence1 having endured much fatigue1 at length arrived here in safety2 but of the missing ones no intelligence was gained1 until yesterday1 when a boat1 identified by the passengers1 from the name printed on its stern1 was picked up by some vessel1 and brought into our harbor4 ,it had drifted nearly as far as the coast of ,newfoundland1 and1 strange to say1 a woman's bonnet was found floating near it1 which being also conveyed here1 was immediately recognized by ,mrs4 ,denham1 as the very one ,miss ,wiltshire wore on leaving home1 thus proving1 beyond the slightest doubt1 the terrible fate which befell her and her unfortunate companions4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,denham seem almost bereft of their senses1--they refuse to be comforted1--and blame themselves as the sole cause of their niece's death2 but1 for my part1 and ,i am sure you will agree with me1 ,i think ,miss ,wiltshire's singular conduct was quite sufficient to warrant the anger of her relatives1 who had always treated her with such indulgence2 for it seems to me a great presumption1 for a young person to set up her own ideas1 in opposition to those who certainly are far more capable of judging of what is right and wrong4 ,poor thing1 she has gone now1 so it would not be right to speak too harshly2 but ,i cannot help telling you1 that she was never a favorite of mine1 for ,i do dislike that pretending to be so much better than others1 and she had such a soft1 winning way with her1 that ,i believe some almost thought her an angel1 but she couldn't thus have imposed on me4 ,arthur read no further4 ,he forgot his sister's presence2 forgot that the epistle belonged to her1 and with an impulse of indignation he could not control1 he tore it in pieces1 scattering its contents to the winds2 while with open1 wondering eyes1 the tears suddenly checked1 ,ella looked on without speaking1 almost ready to conclude that her brother had taken leave of his senses4 ,he turned from the open casement1 and as he met her inquiring and troubled gaze1 instantly became himself again4 ,forgive me1 dear sister1 he said1 in a tone of mingled anger and grief1 that ,i have destroyed that precious manuscript1 laying an emphasis on the word precious2 but oh1 ,ella1 ,ella1 is it possible that such fearful intelligence can be true8 ,it almost seems1 he added1 in a tone of anguish and despair1 that heaven could not permit one so young1 so lovely1 to perish in such a heart-rending manner1--he stopped abruptly1--and ,ella was spared replying by a gentle tap at the door4 ,come in1 she said in a low1 faint voice1 and1 in compliance with the invitation1 an elderly ,american lady1 who was on a visit to some friends that resided opposite1 and with whom ,ella had become quite intimate during her sojourn in the place1 entered the apartment4 ,i have been wanting so much to see you1 my dear child1 she said1 affectionately1 and have been looking for you all the morning1 and finding you did not make your appearance1 concluded to come in search of you4 ,but what is the matter1 said she1 pausing1 and glancing first at ,ella1 and then at her brother1 ,i trust you have not heard any bad news8 ,we have1 indeed1 dear ,madam1 replied ,arthur1 with an effort to control his voice1 the loss of a very dear friend1--here the tones visibly faltered1--by the burning of a vessel at sea1 and the subsequent upsetting of a boat1 in which some of the passengers were endeavoring to make their escape4 ,that is indeed very1 very sad news1 said the old lady1 affectionately clasping ,ella's hand1 and ,i1 my friends1 can sympathize with you1 for five years ago to-day1 my son1 my darling son1 the pride of my heart1 the charm and ornament of our dwelling1 set sail from his native shores1 for a distant land1 and from that moment unto this1 no tidings ever reached me of his fate1 for the vessel was heard of never after4 ,do you know1 she said to ,ella1 a few moments after1 as ,arthur1 with some murmured apology left the room1 for he felt that human sympathy1 however precious at other times1 seemed but to madden him now1 and he longed to be alone--,do you know1 she repeated1 as the young girl's eyes1 swollen with weeping1 were upraised to her benevolent countenance1 that ,i was standing at the window right opposite1 when you drove up to the door1 and as your brother quickly alighted from the carriage1 and tenderly assisted you out1 my heart beat quick2 the blood forsook my cheeks1 and my whole frame was convulsed with emotion1 for so strikingly did he resemble my lost one in look and manner1 that1 for the moment1 ,i wildly dreamed that he had come back to bless me4 ,the old lady's tears flowed freely4 ,i miss him so much1 so very much1 she said1 and especially on the anniversary of that fatal day which tore him from my fond embrace1 and ,i can well appreciate the emotion which lent intensity to ,david's pathetic exclamation1 ',oh my son1 my son1 would to heaven ,i had died for thee1 oh1 my son1 my son4' ,while ,mrs4 ,cartwright was thus1 by a relation of her own trials1 endeavoring to divert1 in some measure1 ,ella's mind1 and prevent her from dwelling too exclusively on this painful event1 ,arthur1 having gained his chamber1 was now pacing the floor with restless steps1 his whole soul a prey to the most intense emotions of grief1 such as he had never before experienced4 ,at one moment he felt stupefied1 at the suddenness of the blow2 the next1 aroused again to the consciousness of its terrible reality4 ,at length a hope1 that seemed to up-spring from the depth of his despair1 shed a faint light over the chaotic darkness that reigned within4 ,the information may be exaggerated1 was his mental solving1 for it is plain that the writer1 in penning it1 was actuated by no feelings of good-will1 and there may yet exist a hope of ,anges's escape4 ,with this idea1 he opened another epistle1 which he had received1 but not yet read4 ,it was from an elderly gentleman1 who had always held ,agnes in the deepest esteem1 and with a trembling hand he broke the seal4 ,alas for his futile hopes6 ,not at the close of the page1 as in the one received by ,ella1 but at the very commencement of the letter1 was the mournful intelligence communicated1 and while the narrator deeply deplored the event1 he intimated1 at the same time1 that not a doubt existed in his own mind1 or in the minds of her friends1 as to the certainty of her untimely fate4 ,arthur laid the letter aside1 and again commenced his restless pacing4 ,alas1 he had once almost imagined himself a ,christian1 for had he not been sedulous in the discharge of every duty1 and1 like the young man referred to in ,scripture1 could have said1 with reference to the moral law as far as outward observances are concerned1 ,all these have ,i kept from my youth up4 ,but now1 mitigating1 soothing1 extracting from grief1 however mighty1 some portion of its bitterness1 where was the resignation of the ,christian8 ,not1 certainly1 in that heart so full of bitterness1 that was ready to contend with heaven for having reclaimed its own2 its power1 its goodness1 its wisdom1 were almost1 unconsciously1 arraigned1 and finite man presumed to pass judgment on the acts of infinite benevolence1 until1 at length1 shocked at his own rebellious feelings1--and startled1 nay1 terrified1 at this the deepest insight he had ever obtained of the natural depravity of his heart1 he sank into a chair1 and in utter recklessness abandoned himself to the tide of grief which seemed waiting to overwhelm him4 ,oh there are terrible moments in human experience1 moments when even the ,christian is so haunted by the demon of unbelief1 when the dire enemy of ,god and man takes advantage of some unpropitious circumstance1 some painful affliction1 to taunt the soul1 already almost crushed1 and to inquire1 with fiendish malignity1 ,where is now thy ,god8 that if not wholly overcome1 he1 at least1 escapes alone with fearful wounds from the trying conflict2 how then can that one sustain the assault who is totally unprepared1 and who knows but little of the source from whence alone help can come8 ,well1 indeed1 for frail humanity1 that there is a tender1 pitying ,father1 who knoweth our frame1 and remembereth we are dust1 and oftentimes1 when our need is sorest1 sends1 in his own good way1 unexpected relief4 ,with his face buried in his hands1 heedless of the lapse of time1 and of anything save his own absorbing emotion1 ,arthur still sat in the armchair1 into which he had thrown himself1 his thoughts dwelling1 with strange pertinacity1 upon the past1--the past that seemed to mock him now4 ,they expected very shortly to have returned home1 and he had anticipated so much pleasure in that return4 ,he had never analyzed the source of that pleasure1 but now that it was removed1 he saw it too clearly2 it was the hope1 the expectation1 of meeting with her4 ,he recalled to mind the hours he had passed with her1--happy hours1 all too quickly flown2 her winning smile1 the sweetly persuasive tones of her voice1 her earnest and thoughtful manner1 all came back to haunt him with their memory4 ,oh1 how distinctly he remembered one of the last conversations he had with her1 when1 in her own mellifluous tones1 she had repeated ,young's exquisite lines1-- ,stricken friends ,are angels sent on errands full of love1-- ,for us they languish1 and for us they die4 ,never had he felt their beauty as now1 for the storm of passion had in a measure subsided1 and the still small voice of conscience once more asserted its power4 ,oh1 ,agnes1 ,agnes1 he murmured1 you tarried on our earth as an angel of light1 and now you have but returned to your native sphere1 and rejoined your sister spirits1 but could you see my rebellious heart1 how infinitely removed from the resignation and purity that can alone find admission into the haven of bliss1 how should ,i sink in your esteem1 if1 indeed1 surrounded by the spirits of the blessed1 your thoughts ever turn to so miserable an inhabitant of earth4 ,a book lay on the table beside him4 ,he took it up mechanically1 scarcely knowing what he did4 ,it was an elegant edition of ,mrs4 ,hemans' poems1 and had been the gift of ,agnes to his sister a few weeks previous to her leaving home4 ,on the fly-leaf she had inscribed ,ella's name1 and the sight of her hand-writing sent a fresh thrill of agony to his heart4 ,but last evening1 on borrowing the book from his sister1 he had contemplated it with such delight2 now1 it was but the fatal reminder of what had been1 but never more could be4 ,with the restlessness of a weary heart1 he turned over page after page1 until his glance was arrested by some lines she had evidently marked4 ,how bitterly appropriate they seemed now as he read1-- ,go1 to a voice such magic influence give ,thou canst not lose its melody and live2 ,and make an eye the load-star of thy soul2 ,and let a glance the springs of thought control4 ,gaze on a mortal form with fond delight1 ,till the fair vision mingles with thy sight2 ,there seek thy blessings2 there repose thy trust ,lean on the willow1 idolize the dust6 ,then1 when thy treasure best repays thy care1 ,think on that dread 'forever1' and despair4 ,it is true these lines1 evidently addressed to an unbeliever in our holy ,christianity1 were not1 in that respect1 applicable to him1 yet he felt that the reproof came home to his own conscience2 for earth had too much engrossed his vision1 and while from childhood he had been taught that life and immortality are brought to light by the ,gospel1 in his despairing grief he had almost lost sight of the blessed possibility of being re-united to her1 whom he now contemplated as a sinless spirit in the regions of eternal bliss4 ,far reaching as ,eternity were the results of these hours of affliction1 and with higher and holier aims1 and the determination to consecrate life's remaining days1 weeks1 or years1 to that service which is alone worthy of being engaged in by immortal beings1 ,arthur ,bernard returned once more to the battle of life1 with a heart crushed and bleeding1 it is true1 but not destitute of ,peace1 that celestial visitant1 or of heavenly hope1 pointing to a brighter and more enduring inheritance4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,the winter had set in unusually early4 ,along the bleak coast of ,newfoundland1 and through its dreary and sparsely inhabited islands1 ,november blasts raged fiercely1 lashing to fury the crested waves that beat against the giant rocks1 which1 standing sentinel-like on the shore1 seemed to frown defiantly on them2 or laving1 far and wide1 the long1 flat sand beach1 that afforded less obstruction to their impetuous progress4 ,to a remote part of this dreary coast we would now direct the attention of our reader4 ,scarcely fair1 even when ,summer lavished upon it her fairest smiles1 there1 no traces of beauty invited the weary pilgrim to tarry and rest within their refreshing shade2 no garden1 gay with flowers1 rang with childish laughter1 as the little ones plucked their fragrant blossoms2 but rugged hills1 frowning rocks1 and desolate sand beaches1 assumed the place of waving woods1 smiling corn-fields1 and blooming orchards2 while for the melodious notes of woodland songsters1 was heard the wild cry of the stormy petrel1 or the shrill scream of the large sea-gull4 ,but ,nature never fails the heart that loves her1 and while destitute of the exuberant charms of more genial climes1 the spot to which we allude was not without attraction to an admirer of the sublime and picturesque4 ,nor was there wanting wild beauty in the scene which greeted the spectator1 who might perchance on some lovely summer's morning ascend the steep hills1 or pause for rest on one of the rocky eminences jutting out into the sea4 ,before him lay the wide expanse of ocean1 reaching far beyond the keenest vision1 calm at that moment as though it had never been lashed to fury by wailing tempests1 and reflecting in its mirror-like surface the azure heavens that smiled brightly above4 ,beneath his feet the stunted herbage assumed its liveliest hue of emerald green1 diversified here and there by some tiny1 hardy wild flowers1 while the distant sail1 gleaming in the sunlight1 and then passing beyond the eager vision1--the fishermen's huts1 scattered here and there on the rugged and uneven land1--the fishing shallops1 and boats of every variety1 that dotted the waters1 with their owners1 some standing on the beach1 and some in their vessels1 but all engaged in the one occupation of securing and preserving the finny tribe1 their only source of wealth1 gave an air of animation to the scene1 while the merry laugh of children1 and the cheerful tones of women1 as they hurried to the beach to assist the parent or husband1 spoke of social ties1 and seemed to say1 that peace and contentment were not alone the associates of refinement1 education1 and luxury4 ,but quite a different aspect did that barren coast present when chilly ,autumn and relentless ,winter resumed their dreaded reign4 ,then1 indeed1 to the inhabitant of the city1 dreary beyond description would a residence within one of its small yet hospitable huts appear1 and he must possess resources in himself of no common order1 or be sustained by a lofty sense of duty1 who could cheerfully and contentedly remain through those cheerless seasons4 ,standing somewhat isolated1 and at a distance from the shore1 yet commanding a fine view of the sea1 was a cottage of larger dimensions1 and of neater appearance than the generality of the fishermen's dwellings4 ,it was built on an irregular tract of land1 that sloped down to the shore1 and behind it rose a ragged hill1 in summer partially covered with coarse grass1 that concealed its jagged rocks1 and lent it an air of cheerfulness2 but now its rude outline1 no longer softened by the verdure and sunshine1 presented a weird and desolate appearance4 ,in front of the cottage1 which contained four or five rooms1 with a small attic above1 used for storing away provisions1 c41 was a piece of ground1 enclosed by a wooden railing1 where a few vegetables were planted each spring2 but these had long ago been gathered in1 and the land was now enjoying its ,sabbath1 to be continued for six long months1 before it would again yield of its productions1 for the benefit of its hardy and thrifty owners4 ,the interior of the dwelling1 though roughly fashioned1 and furnished in the most simple manner1 was not uninviting1 for there was that atmosphere of cleanliness and neatness about it1 which renders the rudest spot more attractive than luxurious habitations1 where it is found wanting4 ,through the centre ran a narrow hall1 out of which opened the different rooms4 ,on the right hand1 just as you entered1 was a door leading into a good-sized apartment1 fulfilling the united duties of kitchen1 parlor1 and sitting-room1 while at the opposite side were several chambers1 small1 but clean and airy4 ,in the sitting-room1--for by that term we shall designate the principal apartment1--a bright coal fire was blazing cheerily in the large open fire-place1 casting its pleasant light over the spotless and carefully sanded floor1 gleaming on the plastered walls1 and lingering to see itself gaily reflected on the shining pewter1 and brightly colored delf1 that1 neatly arranged on the bowed shelves of the snowy dresser1 were evidently the pride of the housekeeper4 ,a white cloth covered the rude wooden table that stood in the centre of the room1 and the mistress of the dwelling was hurrying to and fro1 evidently intent on preparing the evening repast1 while from the bake-kettle1 that had just been taken from the fire1 the fragrance of newly-baked bread ascended1 filling the place with its odor2 an odor by no means ungrateful to appetites1 sharpened by manly labor and healthy sea-breezes4 ,while the busy matron was thus happily employed in her labors of love1--for such they emphatically were to her1--the daughter1 a girl of eighteen years of age1 and two younger sons1 were with their father on the beach1 assisting him in sorting1 and putting in barrels1 a quantity of fish1 designed for the family's use during the winter4 ,it will be a fearful night1 father1 said the girl1 pausing from her labors1 and looking out on the black1 swollen waves1 while the wind1 as it swept furiously by1 more than once obliged her to cling to the rock for support4 ,it will be a fearful night1 father1 she repeated1--and1 hesitating for a moment1 she added1 and brother ,william is at sea4 ,ay1 responded the brawny1 stalwart1 and good-humored looking man1 it will be1 as you say1 lass1 a stormy night1 and a terrible one1 ,i reckon1 to poor seamen1--for there is more than ,william on the ocean4 ,a faint flush tinged with a deeper hue the girl's countenance1 already bronzed by exposure to sun and wind1 while her dark grey eye grew moist with unshed tears4 ,it was evident that there was something deeper in the old man's speech1 than the mere words would seem to imply1--some covert allusion which thus called forth her emotion4 ,the vessel was to have left more than a week ago2 it ought to be near the coast by this time1 said the fisherman1 in a tone of uneasiness4 ,he turned to address his daughter1 but she was no longer at his side2 and1 looking in the distance1 he perceived her climbing a high and jutting rock1 from which the ocean1 for miles around1 was distinctly visible4 ,ellen1 for that was her name1 having at length ascended1 stood with agile yet firm feet on the eminence1 shading1 with one hand1 the sun1 which now1 peering from behind a mass of dark purple clouds1 lit up for a moment the turbid waves1 and gleamed on rock and beach and fishermen's huts1--and with the other holding on to the sharp edge of a projecting rock1 that still towered above her4 ,nor as she thus stood1 was she1 by any means1 an unpicturesque object2 the sunshine glancing on her neatly arranged brown hair1 her tall figure1 slight for that of a hardy fisherman's child1 clad in a black skirt and crimson jacket1 and every feature of her speaking countenance wearing a commingled expression of anxiety1 hope1 and tenderness4 ,how her eager vision seemed to catch1 in a moment1 each feature of the scene2 the sandy beach--the rugged hill--her father's shallop--and he1 standing in the position she had left him1 gazing out into the sea2 and with what a lingering1 straining glance1 did her eyes wander over that pathless ocean1 while her heart sank within her1 as she contemplated its angry and menacing appearance4 ,not a sail in sight1 she murmured1 and the night coming on so fearfully black4 ,oh1 ,edward1 shall ,i ever see you again6 was her exclamation1 uttered in a tone full of wild pathos1 while the hand1 that had been upraised to shade the sun's rays1 fell listless at her side4 ,oh1 if you only come back safe again1 ,i shall quarrel with you and tease you no more1--and you so patient and so good1--and her quivering lip1 and the expression of anguish that passed over her features1 told how deep and true her emotion4 ,it is no use lingering here1 she mentally ejaculated1 as a fresh blast of wind nearly swept her from the summit4 ,i may as well go down at once4 ,turning to descend1 she paused to take a parting glance at the distant ocean1 whose mercy she would fain have invoked for the loved ones it bore on its bosom1 when something at a distance caught her eager eye4 ,as one transfixed1 she stood there1 fearing almost to breathe1 lest a breath might dissolve the vision4 ,yes1 a sail is in sight2 but1 ah1 is it the one ,i look for8 ,oh1 this cruel suspense1 how much longer must ,i bear it6 ,father1 father1 she cried1 and the breeze bore the clear tones of her voice distinctly to his ear2 father1 do come here1 for ,i see a sail yonder1 and ,i think it is the ',darling1' for so1 by the lover captain1--doubtless to remind him of another darling1 tarrying at home1--the little trim schooner was designated4 ,the man quickly obeyed her summons1 and soon stood by her side1 scanning1 too1 with eager eyes1 the appearance of the vessel1 that was now1 favored by a strong breeze1 veering rapidly towards them4 ,it looks like her cut1 ,ellen1 said the fisherman2 but we shall see shortly4 ,yes1 said the girl1 clapping her hands with delight1 while her whole face was lighted up with joy2 it is her1 sure enough1 for ,i see her blue flag bordered with red1 and the white square in the centre4 ,well1 said the man1 with a good-humored smile1 thine eyes must be a good deal sharper than mine1 lass1 for ,i can barely see a flag at all1 much less its color2 but certainly thou ought to know best1 when it happens to be the work of thine own hands4 ,a merry laugh was the response4 ,i shall hurry down to tell mother1--and with an agile step she bounded down the steep eminence1 and in a few moments reached the door of the dwelling1 while the fisherman hastened to the beach1 to be first ready to greet the crew of the schooner with a hearty welcome home4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,ben1 said the ,captain of a smart-looking schooner1 that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze1 almost conscious1 one might fancy1 that it was steering for home4 ,ben1 he inquired1 addressing the mate1 who had just come on deck1 what is that strange looking thing yonder8 indicating by his finger the direction of the object4 ,the mate1 a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean1 glanced for a moment in the direction specified1 without speaking4 ,it looks to me1 he said at length1 like a human being clinging to some box or chair1 but it is floating fast this way1 and we shall soon be able to tell4 ,sure enough1 in a moment or two1 they were enabled to gain a full1 clear view of it1 and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind1--a life-preserver they judged it to be1--which kept her head above the waters4 ,let us bear down quick1 said the ,master1 in an excited tone1 for he was young and kind-hearted1 and the sight of anything in distress1 how much more a woman1 was sufficient to arouse his warmest sympathies2 and ere ten minutes had elapsed1 the life-preserver1 with its clinging burden1 was safely landed on deck4 ,agnes1 for she it was1 whom this worthy man had so promptly and providentially rescued1 was partially insensible2 but some restoratives1 which fortunately they happened to have on hand1 being applied1 she soon recovered1 at least sufficiently to explain from whence she came1 and through what means she had been placed in such a perilous situation4 ,it appeared1 from her statement1 that after having embarked on board the boat during that tempestuous night1 which witnessed the conflagration of their noble steamer1 whose fate was recorded in a previous chapter1 the sailors1 who had1 unknown to the captain1 smuggled a large cask of spirits on board1 began freely to imbibe them1 to keep out1 as they said1 the cold4 ,it was in vain that the ladies remonstrated with them1 and pointed out the dangers which would ensue1 should they become helpless through its means4 ,unfortunately they had lost sight1 in consequence of the darkness and tempest1 of the other boat1 containing the remainder of the passengers1 who had just time to push away from the burning wreck before its final submersion beneath the briny waves2 and1 having none to check them1 the sailors1 in spite of the entreaties of the women1 continued to partake1 from time to time1 of the death-destroying liquid4 ,morning dawned1 but brought little alleviation4 ,it is true1 the storm had abated1 and the sky was becoming clear1 but the wind was still high1 and the boat rocked fearfully1 while the billows1 that had not yet been hushed into quiet1 threatened1 every now and then1 to submerge the frail and tempest-tossed bark4 ,they had drifted1--so the sailors said1--a long way through the night1 and must be somewhere near the coast of ,newfoundland2 but no indication of land was visible1 nor was there to be seen the slightest trace of their companions in misfortune4 ,all that day the sailors behaved pretty well2 a bag of biscuits had been placed on board1 and a jar of water1 of which each partook1 and all felt a little comforted and strengthened2 but1 as night came on1 the men commenced afresh to drink4 ,most fortunately1 the sea had become calm1 so the boat drifted on1 pretty much left to its own will4 ,the next morning found the sailors in a state of almost helpless intoxication2 but now land was in sight1 though at a great distance1 and the women1 seizing the oars1 strove to impel the boat in that direction2 but soon1 worn out with the struggle1 and finding they made but little headway1 most of them gave up to despair1 and resigned themselves1 as they said1 to their fate4 ,it was now high noon1 at least so they judged from the look of the sun1 and ,agnes strove by every means to re-assure her fainting companions4 ,she spoke of the power and goodness of their heavenly ,father1 and besought them to unite with her in earnest petitions to the throne of grace for timely succor1 or for a preparation for a speedy exit from life4 ,some heard with attention1 and united with agonizing earnestness in the petition1 which1 as it ascended from her lips1 sounded like a seraph's pleading1 and surely reached the ear of the ,lord ,god of ,sabaoth4 ,others listened with stolid indifference1 or sullen despair4 ,throughout the precious years of prosperity1 that had been vouchsafed to them1 they had been neglecters of the great salvation2 and now1 in the article and hour of death1 they knew not how to implore his mercy1 of whom they had been hitherto utterly unmindful1 much less adored and loved4 ,at length one of the women lifted her face1 haggard with care and grief1 and threw a glance1 preternaturally sharpened1 over the wild waste of waters3-- ,i see a sail yonder1 she cried wildly4 ,look1 she cried to ,agnes1 can you not see it1 too8--but just at this moment one of the sailors1 not quite so much stupefied as the others1 hearing the exclamation1 roused himself1 and bent over the side of the boat1 and instantly the frail bark was submerged beneath the waves4 ,oh1 what shrieks of agony filled the air4 ,then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell1 ,then shrieked the timid1 and stood still the brave4 ,agnes had carefully retained the life-preserver1 which had been given to her by her friend the minister1 and with the instinct of self-preservation1 almost unconsciously clung to it1 while her companions1 less fortunate1 and worn out with previous grief1 one by one sank to rise no more till the sea shall give up its dead4 ,i think1 she said1 as she concluded her narrative1 ,i must have been in the water more than half an hour1 when ,i espied the sail1 to which my unfortunate companion had alluded1 and seeing it1 seemed to inspire me with new life1 for ,i had become so exhausted and enfeebled by the waves that surrounded me1 that ,i felt nature could not much longer survive the icy chills which thrilled through my very frame2 and when ,i found that you had seen me1 and were sailing towards me1 evidently with the intention of effecting my rescue1 no language can describe the varied emotions of my heart1--joy1 gratitude and hope preponderating4 ,exhausted by the effort of speaking1 ,agnes sank back on the rude couch1 that the sailors had with kind haste prepared for her4 ,land1 yonder1 sang one from the mast-head4 ,i am heartily glad of it1 said the ,captain1 for all our sakes1 for we shall soon have a terrible storm1 but especially for this poor lady's1 whose strength seems almost gone4 ,prospered by a favoring breeze1 a few hours sufficed to bear the vessel to its destined harbor2 and that night1 sheltered1 in comparative comfort1 beneath the hospitable roof of ,mr4 ,williamson1 ,ellen's father1 ,agnes sank into deep and quiet repose4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,april1 capricious1 yet beautiful child of ,spring1 once more smiled upon the bleak shores and sterile plains which1 when we last beheld them1 were encompassed by the chilling atmosphere1 and loomed bleak and desolate beneath the sombre sky of1 to that land at least1 unpropitious winter4 ,welcome to all the inhabitants of that rude coast1 the return of the season was hailed with pleasure the deepest1 the liveliest1 with gratitude as warm as ever expanded the human heart1 by her whom1 an exile from her native shores1 had been compelled to sojourn for a season on its rocky and cheerless wastes4 ,five months had now elapsed since1 rescued by the kind-hearted sailors1 ,agnes had become an inmate of the fisherman's cottage1 and these months had seemed to her like a separate existence1 so widely had their experience differed from that of her accustomed every-day life4 ,but deem not1 gentle reader1 that they had been spent by her in sinful repining at the hardships of her lot4 ,during the first part of her sojourn among them1 severe sickness1 caused no doubt by previous exposure and anxiety1 had prostrated her system1 and brought her to the very borders of the grave1 but through the unremitting care of ,mrs4 ,williamson and her daughter1 she was restored to health2 and full of gratitude to heaven for this double preservation of her life1 which had been thus vouchsafed1 her first inquiry was1 how she could best return the debt of gratitude due to her ,father in ,heaven1 and those through whose kindly instrumentality she was thus raised up again4 ,nor was she long in ascertaining the path of duty1 nor hesitating in commencing and pursuing it with eagerness4 ,one day1 soon after her recovery1 she was sitting by the fire1 when ,ellen1 the fisherman's daughter1 to whom we have before alluded1 entered the room1 and observing that ,agnes looked somewhat downcast1 kindly inquired the cause1 for the gratitude she had manifested for every little act of kindness1 had deeply endeared her to those with whom she was now associated4 ,i hope you do not feel any worse1 dear lady1 she said4 ,oh1 no1 ,ellen1 was the reply1 while a smile instantly dissipated the shadow that had obscured for a moment her countenance4 ,and how deeply grateful should ,i feel1 she added after a short pause1 first to my ,heavenly ,father1 and then to you and your kind family1 whose unwearied care and attention have been so instrumental in my recovery2 and ,i trust yet to have it in my power to show my sense of your kindness4 ,don't1 ,miss ,wiltshire1 please don't say anything more4 ,why1 we only did what any persons1 with common feelings1 would have done4 ,nevertheless1 persisted ,agnes1 ,i feel under very great obligations to you all4 ,but ,i will tell you what made me look a little melancholy when you came in4 ,your father informed me1 this morning1 that there would be no possibility of my communicating with my home until spring1 and thus my relatives and friends1 not having any intelligence of me1 for so long a time1 will certainly believe that ,i have found a watery grave4 ,but when you return home1 what a delightful surprise they will get2 why1 it would be worth enduring months of pain for1 said ,ellen1 who seemed to have the happy faculty of always looking at the bright side4 ,very true1 ,ellen1 but--and an involuntary sigh followed the sentence--you know not1 and ,i trust will never know1 from experience1 that ',hope deferred maketh the heart sick4' ,i know something about that1 too1 ,miss ,agnes1 though maybe you think me too young2 but1 indeed1 there was once a weary while1 when ,i watched the sea day after day1 that is1 when the scalding tears would let me see it1 and shuddered to hear the fierce winds moaning round our dwelling1 as though they had a human heart1 and sighed and raved for some lost love4 ,oh1 how ,i remember the day1 when that long-looked for vessel came back again1 for ,i had got up more down-hearted than ever1 and ,i thought it no use hoping and waiting1 for ,i shall never see it again1--and then the salt sea was not salter than the tears ,i shed1 as ,i sat down on a rock by the shore1 and thought of the stalwart form that would never meet my eye again1 and of the kind voice that should never sound in my ears1--and as ,i looked on the sea1 its bright waves rippling and smiling beneath my feet1 it seemed to laugh and mock me cruelly1 and ,i almost wished myself1--,i know it was very wicked1 ,miss ,agnes1--far1 far beneath it1 where ,i should forget my troubles1 and my heart cease its aching4 ,and then ,i laid my head on the rock1 and covered my face with my hands1 and cried as though ,i should never cease1 until ,i felt something touch my face1 and a voice that ,i knew too well said1 ',ellen1 ,ellen1 what art thou breaking thy heart for in this manner8'--and ,i looked up1 and saw two eyes1 that1 a moment before1 ,i thought death had closed1 shining brightly on me1 and--but you have seen him yourself1 ,miss ,agnes1 and can easy guess how happy ,i was4 ,oh1 it made up for all my weary days1 and wretched1 sleepless nights4 ,agnes had listened with much interest to the simple narrative1 and while her eyes filled with tears1 she murmured1 almost unconsciously1 ,one touch of nature makes the whole world kin4 ,we would not like to vouch for it1 but1 perhaps1 while ,ellen had been speaking1 with the remembrance of her relatives1 another image had arisen in her mind1 and she thought1 ,and he1 too1 he will hear of what they will deem my terrible fate4 ,there was pleasure1 mingled with pain1 as her heart suggested1 that eyes1 albeit unused to weep1 might even now be shedding a tear over her untimely doom2 for ,arthur did not1 could not1 conceal the deep interest he felt in her welfare2 and as she called to mind his kindness1 his sympathy1 when all the world seemed dark to her1 she felt her heart thrill with strange emotion1 and she asked herself1 again and again1 ,shall ,i ever be so happy as to see him once more8 ,mr4 ,elliot is1 indeed1 said she1 in reply to ,ellen1 after a short pause1 worthy of you1 as far as ,i have had an opportunity of judging1 and that is saying a good deal1 ,ellen4 ,but ,i must tell you what ,i was thinking of1 this morning1 while ,i sat here alone4 ,you told me1 the other day1 that the children of the neighborhood were growing up in fearful ignorance1 destitute1 as they are1 of a teacher1 and ,i thought1 if it met with the approbation of their parents1 that ,i could not be more usefully or happily employed1 during the time that must intervene before ,i have an opportunity of returning to my friends1 than instructing those little ones1 a few hours each day4 ,our evenings1 too1 might be pleasantly occupied1 for ,i overheard you1 when ,i was lying ill1 expressing a wish to know how to write1 and these long winter evenings will afford abundant opportunity for your taking lessons1 and any of your young companions1 that may wish to join you4 ,ellen was delighted with the proposition1 and warmly expressed her thanks1 and ,agnes's wishes were speedily carried into effect4 ,a small unoccupied cottage was fitted up as a school-house1 to which all the children of the neighborhood1 far and near1 daily repaired1 while at night the young people of both sex filled the good-sized room of ,mr4 ,williamson's dwelling1 thirsting for that instruction which ,agnes was so willing to impart4 ,nor did her efforts end here4 ,of pastoral guidance these poor people were equally destitute2 as sheep without a shepherd1 they had long stumbled on the dark mountains of sin and error1 but now each ,sabbath morning found them congregated in the school-house1 singing the hymns that some of them had learned in childhood1 in their distant native lands1 or listening to the sweet tones of their teacher and guide1 as she explained1 by many simple and touching illustrations1 the sacred ,word1 or offered up the fervent prayer1 which from her lips seemed to come with double power1 and caused even the sturdy fishermen's hearts to melt within them4 ,the afternoon of the sacred day was especially devoted to the children2 classes were formed1 over which the most intelligent members of the community presided1 conspicuous among whom was ,ellen1 whose naturally quick and clever mind1 brought into contact with one so superior as ,agnes1 rapidly developed1 while her whole appearance gave indications of how much she had profited by constant intercourse with her youthful companion4 ,ellen's parents were not natives of the land in which she now resided4 ,they had come from one of the counties of ,england1 when ,ellen was little more than an infant2 their original destination being ,canada1 but having been wrecked on the ,newfoundland coast1 and lost nearly all they possessed1 they had not means to travel farther2 and while ,williamson gladly joined the fishermen in their occupation for the purpose of temporarily supplying the necessities of his family1 his wife1--who was a skilful needle woman1 and clever at almost everything1--made herself generally useful among their families1 and thus acquired much influence over them4 ,gradually they came to look upon the sterile coast1 unlike1 strangely unlike though it was1 to the cultivated lands they had left1 as their home1 at least for some years to come4 ,both frugal and industrious1 a little cottage was speedily erected1 which very soon1 from the superior thrift and neatness of its owners1 became the best in the place1 and as time passed on1 they not only continued to gain a subsistence1 but succeeded in gathering round them many little comforts1 which were the admiration and1 sometimes1 the envy of their less fortunate neighbors4 ,from time to time1 ,mr4 ,williamson was in the habit of taking a quantity of their chief export1 fish1 to ,h----1 and obtaining1 in lieu of it1 plentiful supplies of food and clothing2 and1 what his wife and daughter had prized more than all1 in returning from his last voyage1 he had brought with him a few school-books1 with some entertaining works1 and several volumes of interesting and evangelical sermons4 ,mrs4 ,williamson1 who was the daughter of a small farmer1 had1 in her youth1 received the elements of a good ,english education4 ,she could read with tolerable fluency1 and had taught her children this important branch2 but though1 when a child1 she had learned to write1 want of practice and varied duties connected with her toilsome condition1 had almost erased the power from memory2 and it was with deep regret at her own neglect1 that she found her children growing up as ignorant1 as herself1 of the power of communicating their thoughts through the medium of the pen4 ,it was1 therefore1 with no small delight1 that she had hailed ,agnes's welcome offer2 and as she sat1 evening after evening1 in her corner by the fireside1 apparently busily engaged in knitting1 but1 in reality1 an attentive listener to the instruction ,agnes was imparting to the young people1--or as she mingled her tones with theirs who1 on the ,sabbath1 warbled1 from hearts attuned to devotion1 those melodies that had been familiar to her from childhood1--again and again1 would memory revert to the happy days of her infancy and youth1 when with beloved parents and friends she had gone up to the house of ,god1 and while a tear of sorrow and penitence would steal down her cheeks1 to think how much of the instructions1 then received1 had been forgotten1 she blessed the ,parental ,hand that had placed beneath her roof1 one so fitted to counsel and comfort1 to prove to her1 as well as to many others1 a ministering angel indeed4 ,thus1 happily and usefully employed1 the winter months glided by comparatively swiftly to ,agnes4 ,not that the past was forgotten1--not that she never sighed for more congenial society1 for the friends of her early youth1 or even for the refinement and luxuries by which she had been surrounded1--that would be affirming too much1 for she had a genuine woman's heart1 and that innate perception and love of the beautiful1 which delights in the elegancies and embellishments of life1 and could not as easily accommodate itself1 as some could1 to a situation where those are wholly wanting4 ,there were hours when she felt herself an exile1 indeed2 hours when ,ellen's young companions would flock to the cottage1 and talk and laugh over subjects in which it was impossible for ,agnes to feel any interest2 it was then1 more especially perhaps1 she thought of home1 and of the educated and refined society in which she had been accustomed to mingle1 and realized more fully the wide gulf dividing her from those among whom ,providence had so mysteriously1 as it seemed1 placed her4 ,but think not1 fair reader1 such considerations were allowed to influence her conduct1 or render her manner haughty and disagreeable4 ,it is true she was treated with consideration and respect by the female part of the community2 they could not help looking upon her as a being of another and higher sphere1 and her presence had often the effect of checking the tide of rude mirth1 and of rendering their demeanor more quiet and retired4 ,but while she thus claimed their admiration and reverence1 she at the same time almost unconsciously won their affection1 for on her lip was ever the law of kindness1 and the interest she took in their humble pursuits1 the ready counsel and sympathy in every case of emergency and sorrow1 endeared her deeply to them1 and her efforts to impart instruction were received with all the genuine gratitude of unsophisticated ,nature1 so that these portions of her time1 devoted to the training of those uncultivated minds1 were the ones which afforded to ,agnes the purest pleasure2 seasons which she often recurred to in other years1 as being among the most agreeable in her experience4 ,but the dreary ,winter at length gave place to smiling ,spring1 and ,agnes began to look forward anxiously for an opportunity of returning home4 ,she scarce allowed herself to dwell on the matter1 so intense became her anxiety as the time drew near for leaving the hospitable home which had so long afforded her rude but safe protection4 ,the young sailor1 ,agnes's preserver1 who had been long affianced to ,ellen1 had just returned from a very successful sea-voyage4 ,in a few days they were to be united2 a minister1 who resided at some distance in the interior of the country1 being expected to visit them1 and perform the ceremony2 and ,agnes1 much to the delight of ,ellen1 had promised to officiate as bridesmaid4 ,in a few weeks subsequent the groomsman intended sailing to ,b----1 and ,agnes would then have an opportunity of returning once more to her home4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,captain1--exclaimed a tall1 slight young man1 as he ascended the cabin steps of a noble vessel1 and1 having gained the deck1 stood gazing on the expansive ,atlantic stretched out before him1--,captain1 he eagerly inquired1 this surely is not our destination1 pointing at the same time with his finger to a rude outline of land1 now distinctly visible4 ,no1 indeed1 said the ,captain1 good humoredly2 it would be but a poor compliment to the stately city of ,b----1 to take this rude coast1 with its sandy beaches1 its rocky eminences1 and fishermen's huts1 for its handsome dimensions4 ,nevertheless1 poor as this little fishing settlement looks1 it is a very welcome sight just now1 ,i assure you1 as our provisions are getting scarce1 and as to the water1 my cook tells me he should have hardly enough to fill a tea-kettle for to-morrow's breakfast4 ,and so you intend putting in here for supplies8 ,precisely so1 though ,i see by your look you deem it not a very probable place to obtain them4 ,but this is not the first time ,i have been obliged to put in here1 and have always found a hearty welcome1 and obtained necessary supplies2 not1 perhaps1 the very best of provisions1 but such as the place can afford2 and ,i am well acquainted with one of the fishermen1 an emigrant from my native place1 whose hospitality1 and that of his family1 is unbounded2 and whenever ,i happen to tarry here1 they do all in their power to make us comfortable4 ,and how long do you expect to remain8 inquired ,mr4 ,clifford4 ,for a few days only1 but long enough ,i trust to recover these two sailors of mine1 who have been complaining so much of late2 and my wife's health also is not as good as usual1 accustomed though she has been to long sea-voyages4 ,you1 too1 ,sir1 ,i think1 said the ,captain1 will be all the better for a taste of the land breeze1 even though it should not be laden with the balmy breath of flowers4 ,you are quite right1 ,captain1 was the reply2 and anxious as ,i am to see my home again1 after five long years' absence1 ,i shall be none the worse for a ramble on terra firma once more4 ,in a few hours subsequent to the conversation recorded above1 a fine boat might be seen rapidly cutting the sparkling waves1 and the little party1 consisting of the ,captain and his wife1 with their only passenger1 ,mr4 ,clifford1 soon landed on the sandy beach1 and gladly directed their steps towards ,mr4 ,williamson's cottage4 ,captain ,pierce pointed out the residence to ,mr4 ,clifford1 for though it was at some distance from their landing place1 it could be distinctly seen1 owing to the elevation of the ground on which it was built4 ,you had better go on1 ,sir1 said the ,captain1 and1 if you have no objection1 inform them you are a passenger of the barge ',pearl4' ,that will be sufficient1 ,i know1 to insure you a hearty welcome1 and you can add1 if you choose1 that we are behind2 for my wife and myself are but indifferent walkers1 being more accustomed to patrolling the deck of a vessel than climbing these steep hills1 so that if you try to conform your pace to ours1 you will be quite weary when you reach the dwelling4 ,mr4 ,clifford laughingly replied1 and hastening his steps1 soon came in sight of the cottage4 ,it was near the end of ,april1 and the day a balmy one1 even for smiling ,june4 ,at the open window of the sitting-room1 which commanded a view of the road and harbor1 ,agnes was seated busily engaged in embroidering the muslin dress intended for ,ellen's wedding attire4 ,the sound of steps near at hand arrested her attention1 and looking up1 she beheld a stranger1 with wonder and admiration depicted on his countenance1 standing and gazing fixedly at her4 ,for a moment her heart seemed to cease its pulsations1 and a death-like pallor overspread her cheeks1 for so strikingly did the form and face resemble ,arthur ,bernard1 that1 in spite of the improbability of the case1 ,agnes almost believed it to be him4 ,ernest1 on his part1 was equally surprised at seeing1 in a fisherman's dwelling1 one whose elegant appearance formed such a striking contrast to the unpretending and rudely fashioned abode in which she dwelt4 ,the small purse of gold1 which ,agnes had thoughtfully secured about her person on the night that witnessed the conflagration of the ill-fated steamer1 had enabled her to purchase from ,mrs4 ,williamson some plain materials1 which had been fashioned1 by her own skilful fingers1 into neat and becoming attire4 ,her nicely-fitting brown stuff dress1 relieved by a linen collar of snowy whiteness1 displayed to advantage her graceful figure2 her soft brown tresses were smoothly parted from her fair forehead2 and her fine intelligent countenance1 on whose every lineament refinement and sensibility were stamped1 wore an expression of sweet and touching resignation1 and hope subdued but cherished still2 what marvel1 then1 that ,ernest ,clifford's steps were arrested1 when he beheld so lovely an apparition1 and that he gazed upon her as though he expected that the fair vision would soon vanish from his view4 ,he had watched her for a few moments unobserved1 but when their glances met1 he marked1 with increasing astonishment1 her evident emotion1 and pleased1 yet strangely puzzled1 he could not find courage to seek admittance at the cottage1 but1 retracing his steps1 resolved to wait for an introduction from the ,captain4 ,it was with a good deal of surprise that the ,captain and his wife beheld ,ernest advancing towards them4 ,was no one within1 he inquired1 that you have come back so soon8 ,really1 ,captain1 was the reply1 ,i could not summon courage to knock at the door and ascertain4 ,courage6 echoed the ,captain1 wondering as he marked the young man's heightened color and evident embarrassment1--courage to knock at a poor fisherman's dwelling6 ,really1 ,mr4 ,clifford1 your sojourn among these barbarians must have been productive of no little injury to you1 if it has robbed you of that courage with which ,i am sure1 from your appearance1 ,nature plentifully endowed you4 ,you misunderstand me1 my dear ,sir1 ,i assure you1 was the reply4 ,i feared intruding1 and thought ,i would prefer waiting for an introduction from you4 ,the ,captain could contain himself no longer1 but burst into a hearty fit of laughter1 in which he was joined by his wife4 ,you must excuse me1 ,mr4 ,clifford1 he said1 apologizing2 but1 really1 the idea of your formality amused me no little2 for1 however acceptable such would prove to the society with which you have been accustomed to mingle1 ,i am afraid such ceremonious politeness would be hardly popular here4 ,but1 really1 ,captain1--and ,mr4 ,clifford looked1 it must be confessed1 a little vexed1--you should have informed me who ,i was going to meet1 before sending me on as herald4 ,i was not aware that ,i should be thrown into the society of ladies1 or ,i should have endeavored to appear to a little better advantage4 ,as it is1 ,i am hardly fit to be seen2 and while ,i am aware that your good lady excuses me1 knowing the circumstances under which ,i took shelter with you1 yet1 to strangers ,i would appear rather ludicrous1 clad in those ill-fitting garments4 ,they are not the most elegant in the world1 ,i acknowledge1 was the response2 but much better than the fishermen's wives and daughters are accustomed to see1 for those are the only ladies that inhabit these sterile regions4 ,it surely could not have been a fisherman's daughter that ,i beheld just now1 as ,i neared the dwelling to which you directed me2 for1 seated at the window1 sewing1 was a young lady1 neatly though plainly dressed2 but her look and manner bespoke her to be far above such a condition of life4 ,the ,captain looked puzzled1 and turning to his wife1 said1 ,it must1 be ,ellen ,williamson1 to whom ,mr4 ,clifford alludes4 ,she is not ill-favored1 by any means1 and indeed quite the belle of the place1 being by far the best looking girl in it2 nevertheless1 ,i should hardly mistake her for one of higher rank2 but ,mr4 ,clifford has been so long without beholding woman's face divine1 with the exception of yours1 my dear1 that he is ready to magnify good looks into positive beauty and grace4 ,the young man seemed disconcerted4 ,i could almost stake my existence1 that the person to whom ,i refer is not1 cannot be the daughter of a fisherman4 ,however1 if it should be so1 ,captain1 and such a region as this can produce so lovely a being1 in spite of its barren wastes and rocky steppes1 ,i should be ready to surname it ,paradise1 or ,the ,enchanted ,isle1 if you will2 for certainly it was a vision of enchantment ,i just now beheld4 ,captain ,pierce1 though almost imagining that his young friend's intellect had been deranged1 gaily responded3-- ,i must warn you in time1 ,i see1 for you are in danger of losing your heart1 if it is not gone already4 ,ellen ,williamson is engaged to a worthy young man1 a captain of a fishing schooner1 and their marriage is to be celebrated this spring1 so her father informed me when ,i was here last year1 and ,i think it only my duty to give you fair warning1 that another claims your enchantress as his own4 ,but here we are at the cottage1 and your doubts will speedily be put to flight1 by an introduction to the girl herself4 ,the loud knock of the ,captain1 at the cottage door1 was quickly answered by ,mrs4 ,williamson1 who1 in terms of genuine pleasure1 welcomed his safe return1 and the little party were ushered into the sitting-room1 whose neat and even tasteful appearance1 formed a striking contrast to the generality of the fishermen's huts4 ,mr4 ,clifford's quick eye1 as they entered1 sought the window1 but the seat was vacant now2 evidences of its having been lately occupied were discernible in a work-basket that stood on a table near1 and on which some embroidered muslin had been lightly thrown4 ,the ,captain smiled as he observed ,mr4 ,clifford's disappointed look1 and turning to ,mrs4 ,williamson1 who was assisting his wife in divesting herself of her shawl and bonnet1 inquired after her daughter4 ,she is quite well1 thank you1 was her reply1 and was here a moment ago1 but observing you in the distance1 ran to inform her father2 who is working beyond the hill at the back of the dwelling4 ,she will be back shortly4 ,a slight sigh escaped from ,mr4 ,clifford1 unheard by all save his friend1 who turned to him with a mischievous smile1 which the former easily interpreted as1 ,i wonder which was right1 you or ,i8 ,in the meanwhile1 ,mrs4 ,williamson was entreating ,mrs4 ,pierce to take some rest1 for indeed you look much in need of it1 she added1 and ,i will have a cup of strong tea ready for you in a few moments1 for you need something to refresh you1 ,i am sure1 after being so long on the salt water4 ,her husband seconded ,mrs4 ,williamson's advice4 ,you had better go1 my dear1 and lay down for a little while1 and you will feel vastly better1 ,i assure you4 ,as for me1 ,i must now go back to the ship1 but will return in time to join you in a good cup of tea1 which1 from past experience1 ,i know will be excellent1--and ,i suppose ,i shall then see ,mr4 ,williamson and daughter4 ,oh1 yes1 ,sir1 was the reply4 ,they should have been back before this2 but ,i expect husband was farther off than ,ellen imagined1 and seeking for him has detained her4 ,gaily waving an adieu1 the ,captain hurried away1 and ,mrs4 ,pierce following the fisherman's wife into her chamber1 ,ernest ,clifford was left alone4 ,he seated himself at the open casement in a listless attitude2 for though he would hardly acknowledge it to himself1 he could not help a feeling of disappointment in finding his air castle so quickly shattered4 ,the only object of attraction to be seen from the casement was a fine view of the sea2 but ,ernest had been too long a sojourner on the wild waste of waters1 not to have become weary of their monotony1 and tired of gazing at what had been so long a familiar object1 he turned his attention to the interior of the room4 ,as he glanced round the apartment1 he could not help admiring the spotless neatness which marked it1 for everything was in the most perfect order1 while the few ornaments and some pretty shells1 that the fisherman and ,ellen's betrothed had brought on their return from different voyages1 were tastefully arranged on the mantel-piece and tables1 with several books1 which1 from the pencilled passages he observed as he opened them1 had evidently been well conned4 ,in one1 a small volume of miscellaneous poems1 ,ellen's name was inscribed on the fly-leaf1 in a graceful ,italian hand1 evidently a lady's writing4 ,this fisherman's daughter must certainly be a very superior person1 he said to himself1 as he turned over page after page1 observing with the eye of a critic1--for literature to him had been a familiar study from early youth1--that the finest passages were the only ones marked1 proving1 conclusively1 that they had been the reader's favorites4 ,strange to find one like her in so remote and desolate a spot1 and1 half-aloud1 he read the stanzas1 in which he had just opened1 smiling as he thought how true they were in this instance4 ,full many a gem of purest ray serene ,the dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear2 ,full many a flower is born to blush unseen1 ,and waste its sweetness on the desert air4 ,he was interrupted by the clear1 sweet tones of a woman's voice in an adjoining room4 ,you will find my chamber quite comfortable1 ,mrs4 ,pierce1 and ,i must insist on your sharing it1 for there is abundance of room for us both4 ,but ,i am afraid of discommoding you1 my dear young lady1 and can easily sleep on board1 though ,i will take advantage of your kindness now1 to rest on your bed for a short time4 ,indeed1 my1 dear ,madam1 ,i assure you1 that you will be conferring a favor instead of receiving one1 in sharing my apartment1 while you remain1 for it is such a delight to me to see the face of a countrywoman in this1 the land of my exile4 ,how long did ,mrs4 ,williamson say it was since you were conveyed here8 inquired ,mrs4 ,pierce4 ,nearly six months4 ,and what a dreary time you must have found it1 my dear4 ,no1 said the sweet voice again1 that sounded like music to the ear of the unintentional listener2 ,no1 she repeated1 ,i have felt tolerably contented with my lot1 and but for the remembrance of my friends and the sorrow they must have endured on my account1 thinking1 as they certainly must1 that a watery grave has been my portion1--but for such remembrances ,i should have been comparatively happy4 ,but you will never sleep1 she added playfully1 if ,i go on chattering in this manner1 so ,i will leave you to your much needed repose4 ,at this moment1 the outer door of the cottage opened1 and the ,captain1 accompanied by ,mr4 ,williamson and his daughter1 whom he had met as he was returning from the ship1 entered the room1 and a mutual introduction to ,mr4 ,clifford took place4 ,the ,captain1 as he named ,ellen ,williamson1 looked roguishly at ,mr4 ,clifford1 who returned his glance with an equally amused smile1 but one that the ,captain could not comprehend4 ,not sorry to find he was in the right1 and with a little mischievous pleasure1 as he imagined his friend's discomfiture1 when the fair stranger1--for such from her conversation she evidently was1--should make her appearance1 ,ernest's eyes were riveted at the door1 which communicated with an inner apartment1 and at length his patient watching was rewarded4 ,the fisherman's wife1 overhearing the ,captain's somewhat loud though cheerful voice1 hastened to meet him again1 accompanied by ,agnes1 who was anxious to resume the employment which astonishment and emotion had caused her to throw aside4 ,besides1 it must be confessed1 she felt in no way averse to see again the stranger1 whose striking similarity to her friend1 had so deeply overcome her4 ,from ,mrs4 ,pierce she had already learned his name1 and also a sketch of his history1 from the period of her first acquaintance with him1 and thrillingly interesting as it was1 ,agnes could not help feeling attracted towards one who had suffered so much1 and who1 like herself1 had been an unwilling exile from his native land4 ,captain ,pierce1 who was sitting with his face turned from the door1 and who1 moreover1 was engaged in relating to ,mr4 ,williamson the particulars of his voyage1 did not1 at first1 observe the new comer2 but as she advanced nearer1 he abruptly paused in the conversation1 and with a glance--as full of astonishment and perplexity as ,ernest1 who was now an amused spectator1 could desire--intently regarded her4 ,i see you wonder1 ,captain1 how this young lady1 whose name is ,miss ,wiltshire1 said ,mrs4 ,williamson1 took up her residence in this out of the way place2 but ,elliot1 on his return voyage from ,h---- in ,november1 happened1 fortunately1 to rescue her from the waves1 into which she was thrown by the upsetting of a boat1 and having brought her here1 she has remained ever since in this dreary place1 at least it must be such to her1 for she has had no opportunity of returning to her friends4 ,with her customary grace1 ,agnes returned the ,captain's and ,mr4 ,clifford's respectful greeting1 and resumed again her embroidery1 disclaiming1 however1 as she did so1 the epithet of dreary1 as being quite inappropriate1 in her estimation1 to the place which had afforded her so hospitable a shelter4 ,it would be impossible for me to find any spot dreary1 she said1 inhabited by so many kind friends1 and from whom ,i have received such true tokens of hospitality2 and while ,i confess to an eager desire to behold again my relatives1 it will not be without very great pain that ,i shall part from those whose warmest sympathies and tenderest care were exercised towards a helpless stranger4 ,i have heard1 said ,mr4 ,pierce1 turning to ,mrs4 ,williamson1 whose countenance told the emotion she felt at the intimation of ,agnes's speedy departure1 ,i have heard of some entertaining 'angels unawares1' and ,i should judge you have been thus fortunate1 ,mrs4 ,w4 ,you may1 indeed1 say so1 ,sir1 said the good woman1 wiping away a tear with the corner of her apron2 ,i cannot tell you what a blessing this young lady has been1 not only to my family1 but to the whole neighborhood4 ,indeed1 ,sir1 you would be surprised to see what a change has been effected by her in this place4 ,miss ,wiltshire has established a day school for the children1 and a night class for the young people2 and our ,sabbaths1 that some spent in sleep1 others in doing nothing1 or worse than nothing1 now pass in a very different manner1 for we have both ,church and ,sabbath school1 and 'come up with those that keep holy day4' ,what we shall do without her1 ,i cannot imagine1 though1 to be sure1 it would be dreadfully selfish in me to wish her to stay longer1 for those to whom she belongs must be breaking their hearts after so lovely a creature4 ,the above conversation1 which was addressed particularly to the ,captain1 was delivered in an under-tone1 and was therefore unheard by ,agnes1 who was an attentive listener to ,mr4 ,clifford1 as he called up all the varied powers of his fine intellect for the purpose of describing the scenes through which he had passed2 and he was well rewarded for his efforts by the sweet smile1 and breathless interest1 with which ,agnes heard the narration4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,what a lovely evening1 exclaimed ,arthur ,bernard1 as rising from his seat1 by the invalid's couch1 he drew aside the thick folds of the crimson damask curtains1 allowing the glorious rays of the full-orbed moon to illuminate the apartment4 ,my dear ,sir1 he said kindly1 turning to ,mr4 ,denham1 the uncle of ,agnes1 for he it was who reclined on the velvet lounge1 propped up by pillows1 ,i am sure it would do you good1 on a fine spring day such as this has been1 to take a short drive through the suburbs of the city4 ,the fresh1 balmy air of delightful ,may would prove1 as your physician told you1 yesterday1 the best restorative2 better1 far better1 than all his drugs2 and1 besides1 it will divert your mind to mark the dawn of summer1 to witness how quickly1 almost instantaneously1 the trees have put forth their leaves1 and in the parks and fields1 how thick and verdant ,nature's flowery carpet4 ,can ,i not prevail upon you to accompany me to-morrow in a short drive8 ,i know1 on your return1 you will not regret having been persuaded to try the efficacy of my prescription4 ,the invalid shook his head1 sadly4 ,you are very kind1 ,arthur1 he said1 in taking such interest in a querulous old man1 like me1 and ,i would gratify you2 but1 indeed1 it is not the illness of the body of which ,i complain1 for that only suffers in sympathy with the mind4 ,fresh breezes may fan the brow1 and verdant scenes charm the eye1 but tell me1 ',can they minister to a mind diseased1 ,or pluck from mem'ry's roots a barbed arrow8' ,if you promise that they can accomplish such wonders as these1 then shall ,i gladly try your prescription4 ,no1 ,sir1 was the reply2 admirer as ,i am of ,nature1 and powerful as ,i deem her ministrations1 ,i dare not undertake in her name1 to promise that she shall perform such a miracle as this4 ,from bitter1 yet salutary experience1 ,i know that the sick heart may turn even with loathing from her loveliest scenes1 as being but reminders of by-gone happiness1 awakening associations too painful for the spirit calmly to contemplate4 ,he paused abruptly1 and then in a lower tone repeated to himself1 as he gazed on the beautiful1 park-like grounds1 that surrounded ,mr4 ,denham's residence1 fair to view at all times1 but never lovelier than when illumined1 as now1 by the soft rays of the full-orbed moon1-- ,since my ,alexis withers in the tomb1 ,untimely fades1 nor sees a second bloom2 ,ye hills and groves no more your landscapes please1 ,nor give my soul one interval of ease2 ,delight and joy forever flee your shades1-- ,and mournful care your solitude invades4 ,but1 my dear ,mr4 ,denham1 he said1 as he turned from contemplating the scene without1 and resumed his seat near the invalid's couch1 though ,i cannot promise that ,nature will afford you the elixir you require1 your case is not1 cannot be hopeless1 while there is balm in ,gilead1 while there is a ,physician there4 ,i know well what you would say1 ,arthur ,bernard1 and it is easy for you to speak thus1 who have never known the horrors of remorse2 who have never been haunted by the vision of a sweet face1 drowned in tears1 whose look of affection was repelled by coldness and harshness4 ,ah1 had you known my dearly loved ,agnes as ,i have2 had you watched from infancy each expanding grace1 until she grew to be your heart's idol2 had you loved her with a love like mine-- ,arthur ,bernard groaned involuntarily1 but the old man unheeding went on4 ,and then1 because her pure mind could not be content to feed on the husks of worldly vanity1 and sought for more congenial nourishment1 banish her from your presence1 for the very cause that should have rendered her dear beyond all price1 and that banishment to have such a termination2 to think that the wild salt waves should cover my darling1 that the winds should be her requiem1 that ,i shall never hear that sweet voice pronounce my forgiveness1--oh1 it is too much1 too much for human nature to bear1 though ,i deserve it all4 ,talk not to me1 ,arthur ,bernard1 and the invalid1 in the energy of passion1 half-raised himself from the couch1 talk not to me1 ,i beseech you1 of balm in ,gilead1 or of a ,physician there2 others1 who have not sinned as ,i have done1 may find forgiveness1 but as for me1 unless the treacherous sea restore my darling to my arms1 there is never more peace or comfort for me1 but my gray hairs shall go down with sorrow to the tomb4 ,he sank back exhausted by the violence of his emotions1 and silence reigned through the apartment for a few moments1 its two occupants seemingly absorbed in painful thought4 ,to ,arthur the reflection of the almost certain destiny that had befallen her who had1 unconsciously to himself1 shared so large a portion of his affections1 was indeed fraught with anguish2 the void she had left he felt1 day by day1 could never be replaced1 and in reference to a passion at once so absorbing and constant1 he might well have adopted1 as embodying his own experience1 the language of the poet3-- ,it was life's whole emotion1 a storm in its might1 ',twas deep as the ocean1 and silent as night2 ,it swept down life's flowers1 the fragile and fair1 ,the heart had no powers from passion to spare4 ,it is time1 from her loss1 he had learned lessons of purest wisdom2 he had sought and found the grace which he so truly exemplified in life and conduct2 nor had the oil and joy of heavenly consolation been denied him1 in the period of his sorest need2 and though he could not1 he dared not1 dwell on the billows that swept above that once beautiful form1 yet he delighted1 in fancy1 to visit those regions of bliss1 now1 as he deemed1 her habitation1 and to conjecture what the occupation1 and what the enjoyment of its thrice-blessed inhabitants3-- ,but1 ,earth's children cling to earth2 the frail companion1 the body1 weighs down the soul1 and draws it back from the contemplation of high and holy realities2 and thus there were seasons in ,arthur ,bernard's experience1 when his very heart seemed to die within him1 exhausted by its vain yearnings for her who1 like an angel of light1 had shone upon his path1 and then suddenly disappeared2 and as he looked forward into the probable future1 and beheld life stretching out before him1 monotonous and solitary1 what wonder that ,courage sometimes faltered1 and ,faith drooped1 and ,hope almost ceased to cheer the stricken pilgrim4 ,and such a moment of anguish he experienced now1 as he sat in silence1 with bowed-down head1 while thought went back to the shadowy past4 ,mr4 ,denham's words had thrilled his soul2 had presented ,agnes's image to him so vividly1 that he could scarcely refrain from giving expression to his anguish in bitter groans2 and this was the most trying remembrance1 it might have been otherwise1 had he1 to whose care she had been solemnly committed by dying parents1 faithfully fulfilled his trust1 and instead of frowning on her1 had cheered and encouraged her in the path of duty4 ,but there was one who suffered more than ,arthur1--he who now lay listless on his couch1 burdened with a heavy weight of anguish and remorse4 ,ah1 it was this that deepened the sting of sorrow1 that heightened with its bitterness every remembrance that he alone the deed had done1 and that but for his obstinacy and worldliness1 she might even now be standing beside him1 bathing his burning brow with gentle hands1 and in her own sweet tones be imparting all needful consolation4 ,but ,mr4 ,denham could bear these thoughts no longer1 and hastily rousing himself1 he addressed ,arthur4 ,it is growing late4 ,will you be so kind as turn on the gas a little brighter1 for it seems to burn but dimly4 ,i am sure1 he added1 in the querulous tones of an invalid1 it is time ,mrs4 ,denham had returned4 ,she took advantage of your coming to remain with me to visit a sick neighbor1 but she must be very ill1 indeed1 to cause her to remain so long4 ,she will be here very shortly1 ,i dare say1 was ,arthur's reply1 as1 in compliance with the old man's request1 he closed the curtains on the scene without1 and caused the magnificent gaseliers to emit a more dazzling light1--and in the meanwhile1 if you have no objection1 ,i shall be happy to read to you4 ,the invalid signified his willingness1 and ,arthur1 sitting down by him1 opened the richly-gilt ,bible that lay on the marble stand near at hand1 but ere he could commence1 there was the rattling of wheels up the carriage-road4 ,the vehicle stopped at the hall-door1 and the bell was loudly rung4 ,the old man listened for a moment1 and then1 turning to ,arthur1 said1 ,i cannot see any person to-night4 ,will you be kind enough to inform the servant1 that ,mrs4 ,denham is out1 and that ,i feel too much indisposed to receive any visitors1--though it is a singular hour for visitors1 ,i must confess4 ,arthur1 as he opened the drawing-room door1 heard a strange confusion in the hall below1 and quickly closing it on the invalid1 stepped out to convey ,mr4 ,denham's orders1 and to ascertain the cause of this unusual disturbance4 ,as he descended the staircase1 he was met by the servant1 whose honest face was lit up with a strange expression of wonder1 joy1 and satisfaction4 ,anything amiss8 inquired ,arthur1 observing the perturbation of the man4 ,oh1 no1 ,sir1 but how glad ,i am that you are here1 for ,i am afraid the news will be too much for ,master1 and the young lady told me to break it to him gently4 ,what news1 what young lady1 what do you mean1 ,john8 inquired ,mr4 ,bernard1 in a tone of bewilderment4 ,i do not understand to what you allude4 ,beg pardon1 ,sir1 for not telling you before1 but it has been so sudden1 it quite overpowered me1 to think our dear young lady1 whom we thought long since buried in the sea-- ,the man stopped abruptly1 and turned his head1 evidently too much affected to go on4 ,for pity's sake1 speak1 ,john1 and put an end to this suspense2 what about her8 ,oh1 ,sir1 nothing1 ,sir2 ,i mean nothing at all1 to alarm you1 ,sir2 she has come back again1 ,sir2 she was not drowned1 after all1 and she is now waiting in the library4 ,she would have come right up1 but ,i told her how ill ,master had been1 and then she stopped1 for she was afraid the shock might be too much for him4 ,arthur heard not the conclusion of the sentence4 ,she is not drowned1--she has come back again1--was all he could think of2 and with eager steps1 that yet seemed all too slow for his impatient spirit1 he hastened to greet the long-mourned wanderer4 ,he paused a moment at the door of the library1 to calm the tumult of his soul1 and then slowly opening it1 entered the room4 ,agnes1--for it was indeed her own dear self1--had thrown off her cloak and hood1 and sank back on a sofa1 almost overcome with emotion1 at finding herself once more at home1--and1 perhaps1 a little troubled to learn what reception she was likely to expect1 from those who had parted with her so coldly4 ,she started up at the sound of approaching footsteps4 ,miss ,wiltshire1 this is1 indeed1 one of the happiest moments of my life1 said ,arthur1 as clasping her hand1 he raised it1 involuntarily1 to his lips1 and with a voice1 tremulous with emotion1 continued3 ,we have mourned you as one long since departed1 but a gracious ,providence has surely miraculously restored you again to your home1 and your deeply sorrowing friends4 ,mine has1 indeed1 been a miraculous preservation1 and one which demands the most grateful acknowledgment of my heart4 ,i trust to have the pleasure of listening to its details1 by and bye1 and in joining with you in praising ,him1 who has so graciously given you back to us all4 ,but ,i must not forget that you are1 ,i am sure1 very anxious to see your uncle4 ,i am1 indeed1 was the reply4 ,is he dangerously ill8 she earnestly inquired4 ,the man told me1 he believed my aunt was out1 but would go and ascertain4 ,mrs4 ,denham went out two hours ago1 to visit a sick neighbor1 and has not yet returned4 ,your uncle has1 indeed1 been very ill1 and is still quite an invalid2 but it has all originated in sorrow for your loss1 and remorse at having been the chief instrument in sending you away4 ,you will find him wonderfully changed1 added ,arthur1 with kind consideration2 for1 fully aware of the circumstances under which she had left home1 he knew she must feel anxiety respecting the terms on which1 it was probable1 she would be permitted to remain with her relatives4 ,it was only this evening1 he was lamenting his loss1 and declaiming1 in bitterest terms1 against his former conduct1 declaring1 that1 unless the sea restored his darling to him1 his gray hairs would go down with sorrow to the grave4 ,agnes wept tears of joy at this intelligence1 but recovering herself1 and recollecting ,mr4 ,clifford1 who had accompanied her from the vessel1 and who1 seated at the farthest end of the apartment1 and partly in the shade1 had1 on that account1 escaped ,arthur's glance1 she said1 ,i have been very remiss1 indeed1 ,mr4 ,clifford4 ,arthur started1 as she pronounced the name1 and turning round1 for the first time beheld the stranger4 ,but you will excuse me1 ,i am sure2 for this return home1 and the meeting with an old friend1 has quite bewildered me4 ,allow me1 ,mr4 ,bernard to introduce to you my companion on the voyage1 and one who like myself1 has known the privations of exile1 though for a much longer period than ,i4 ,mr4 ,clifford advanced to ,arthur1 and the young men shook hands heartily4 ,there needed no apology1 ,miss ,wiltshire1 said ,ernest2 for your emotion1 at returning home again1 is only natural4 ,it has afforded me1 ,i assure you1 the purest pleasure to witness it2 a foretaste of what ,i trust myself to experience1 when ,i embrace my mother again2 if1 indeed1 she be yet in the land of the living4 ,and now1 said ,arthur1 you will excuse me1 while ,i go and prepare ,mr4 ,denham for this interview with his long-lost niece1 for it would not be prudent1 he said1 turning to ,agnes1 for you suddenly to surprise him4 ,i am afraid it would be too much for him in his present weak state4 ,agnes thankfully acquiesced1 and awaited with as much patience as she could command1 the return of ,arthur4 ,he was back again in a few moments4 ,your uncle is waiting to see you1 and is almost delirious with joy4 ,mr4 ,clifford will excuse me while ,i conduct you to the apartment1 and then ,i think my presence can be dispensed with4 ,the servants had flocked to the hall to see their dear young mistress again1 and to find if it were indeed1 as ,john had declared1 her very self4 ,it was with some difficulty that ,agnes made her way through them1 but shaking each warmly by the hand1 and with many kind inquiries1 she passed on1 requesting1 however1 the cook to prepare some refreshments for the gentleman in the library4 ,arthur1 as he threw open the drawing-room door1 observed that ,mr4 ,denham had raised himself on the couch1 and was gazing eagerly in that direction4 ,agnes instantly sprang forward into her uncle's outstretched arms1 the old man murmuring with a voice weak with emotion1 ,my darling here1--you come back to your old uncle once more4 ,with instinctive delicacy ,mr4 ,bernard softly closed the door1 and retired1 feeling that the scene had become too sacred for a stranger's eye4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,lights streamed gayly from every window of ,mr4 ,hilton's spacious and hospitable mansion1 where a party of friends had assembled to celebrate the return of the long-lost ,agnes4 ,this gentleman1 whose letter had confirmed to ,arthur1 while yet in ,france1 the painful intelligence of the destruction of the steamer in which ,agnes had embarked1 and the subsequent supposed shipwreck of its passengers1 had been among the first to hasten to welcome her home1 for a warm admirer of woman in general1 ,miss ,wiltshire had secured his especial regard1 and having no daughters of his own1 he used often to remark to his excellent wife1 that there was but one thing he envied ,mr4 ,denham1 and that was the possession of so winningly lovely a niece4 ,the party had been postponed from time to time1 awaiting ,mr4 ,denham's recovery1 and it was not until early in ,july1 that his perfect restoration to health1 enabled him1 together with ,mrs4 ,denham1 to accompany his niece on this festive occasion4 ,mr4 ,denham1 as he entered the brilliantly illuminated drawing-room1 seemed by his appearance almost to have recovered his youth1 so much so1 as to call forth from more than one of the company1-- ,the old gentleman is looking twenty years younger1 than when ,i last saw him4 ,what a change the return of his niece has made4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,denham were accompanied by ,mr4 ,clifford1 on whose arm ,agnes leaned as she entered the room4 ,his fine form1 no longer enveloped in sailor-garb1 but in more appropriate costume1 was displayed to full advantage1 and elicited the admiration of not a few of the ladies1 as the whispers1 here and there1 of ,what a fine looking-man2 so tall1 and dignified1 so imposing in appearance1--bore ample testimony4 ,agnes was attired in snowy white2 a few rose-buds forming her only ornament2 her face was lit up with a joyous smile1 as she greeted one after another of her old companions2 and there was something in the expression of that countenance1 a blending of the highest and loftiest emotions1 with all the social tenderness in which woman finds her chief earthly happiness1 so irresistibly attractive1 that he who could turn away coldly or unmoved1 must indeed be a cynic1 if not the veriest stoic that ever trod our beautiful earth4 ,in a recess1 formed by a large bow window1 and which1 though at the furthest end of the room1 was admirably fitted for a looker-on1 commanding1 as it did1 a view of the whole1 two ladies were seated1 busily engaged in that most delightful of occupations1 gossiping1 for which they found ample material1 as guest after guest paid their respects to the mistress of the dwelling4 ,only look1 said the elderly lady1 addressing her companion1 as ,arthur crossed the room1 to speak to ,agnes2 just look1 what a melancholy appearance ,mr4 ,bernard wears4 ,i wonder where his sister is to-night8 ,i heard ,mr4 ,clifford1 who you know is a visitor there1 say that she had a violent toothache1 and his mother1 fearing she would feel lonely1 had remained at home with her4 ,mr4 ,clifford's mother6 ,you surely do not mean that that old lady1 ,mrs4 ,cartwright1 who accompanied the ,bernards on their return from ,france1 is the mother of that fine looking young man8 ,yes1 indeed1 his is quite a romantic history4 ,oh1 ,i should like to hear it of all things4 ,do oblige me by narrating it1 will you8 ,you are so intimate with the ,bernards1 that you have an opportunity of hearing everything4 ,the younger lady's face wore a gratified expression1 for it was very pleasant to learn1 whatever the facts of the matter really were1 that others believed her on terms of close intimacy with a family1 whose high standing in the community had never been disputed2 and she now gladly complied with the request1 certain that it would afford to her friend confirmation of her previously expressed opinion1 strong as ,holy ,writ4 ,you must know1 then1 she commenced1 that when ,ella was visiting the ,south of ,france for the benefit of her health1 7for ,i told ,mr4 ,bernard1 again and again1 before they left1 that nothing but change of air would restore her17 she met with this ,mrs4 ,cartwright1 whose own home was in ,america1 but who was then on a visit to a relative4 ,they became quite intimate in a short time1 and ,ella1 on her return to ,b----1 persuaded ,mrs4 ,cartwright to accompany them1 and to spend some time with them4 ,a widow and childless1 as she then supposed1 and having no near kin to bind her to her home1 she accepted ,ellen's invitation1 and1 accordingly1 they all returned together4 ,but this old lady1 it appears1 had a son1 the child of a previous marriage1--for she has buried two husbands1--who1 some five years ago1 sailed on some distant voyage1 ,i do not exactly know what his destination4 ,however1 no tidings were ever received of the vessel having reached the desired port1 and1 of course1 ,mrs4 ,cartwright1 who ,ella told me was exceedingly attached to him1 mourned him bitterly as one dead4 ,but instead of being lost at sea1 he had been picked up1 the only survivor of the shipwrecked vessel1 by ,moorish pirates1 who1 taking him into their country1 sold him as a slave4 ,he managed to make his escape somehow1 about six months ago1 though he had a terrible time of it2 but he succeeded getting on board an ,english vessel1 which was just about leaving for ,america4 ,but how did he come to meet with ,miss ,wiltshire8 ,why the vessel put into the place where ,agnes was conveyed by the ,captain of the fishing schooner1 who went to her rescue1 and1 of course1 ,agnes gladly availed herself of the opportunity to return home1 and this accounts1 in part1 for their intimacy4 ,and how did ,mr4 ,clifford meet with his mother8 ,surely he did not expect to find her here8 ,no2 it was a very singular coincidence4 ,mr4 ,bernard happened to be at ,mr4 ,denham's when ,agnes1 accompanied by ,mr4 ,clifford1 arrived there2 and in the course of subsequent conversation with him1 ,mr4 ,bernard ascertained that he was the son of the very lady who was then a guest at his dwelling1 and1 of course1 insisted that he1 also1 should be a partaker of his hospitality4 ,what a strange circumstance1 loudly ejaculated the attentive listener1 and how delighted the old lady must have been4 ,you know ,i was out of town at the time1 and never heard the rights of the matter4 ,yes1 ,i remember1 and the old lady1 as you say1 was indeed delighted1 so much so1 that at first she was completely overcome4 ,she took immediately to her bed1 from which she has not been able to rise1 till within the last few weeks4 ,ah1 so that is the reason they have resided so long at ,mr4 ,bernard's4 ,that is one reason1 but ,i strongly suspect there is another and greater1 was the reply1 as the younger lady1 observing that ,mr4 ,bernard had approached1 and stood by a table near examining some very exquisitely carved ornaments1 thought it a good opportunity to give him1 without pretending to notice his proximity1 some little information1--information which might hereafter aid in accomplishing her own well-planned schemes4 ,you said he had another reason for remaining so long1 did you not1 ,maria8 ,oh1 yes1 and one palpable enough to any person who has eyes4 ,just look yonder1 and you will see for yourself4 ,mr4 ,bernard involuntarily raised his eyes1 and glanced at the spot indicated4 ,at a side-table1 a little apart from the others1 ,agnes was seated1 looking over a large and elegant portfolio1 the peculiar beauties of whose admirable engravings1 ,ernest ,clifford seemed eagerly pointing out1 as he bent over her chair2 his handsome countenance lit up with a smile of pleasurable emotion4 ,ah1 yes1 ,i understand you now1 ,maria4 ,but ,i heard ,mr4 ,bernard had some partiality that way4 ,hush1 speak lower1 for he is standing at the table near you4 ,oh1 dear me1 ,i had no idea he was so handy4 ,that was mere idle gossip1 ,i assure you1 was the reply1 as the tones sank into a whisper4 ,i have the best evidence in the world as to that4 ,well1 well1 they will make a handsome couple1 ,i must say1 remarked ,maria's companion1 as ,mr4 ,bernard moved away with a firm step1 which gave no indication of the mental agony that was rending his soul4 ,glad to make his escape1 he stepped out from an open window in the balcony1 and from thence descended1 by a short flight of marble steps1 into the large and thickly-shaded garden1 which it overlooked4 ,with a feverish step he traversed its winding walks1 until wearied he sank on a rustic seat1 beneath the welcome shade of a graceful elm4 ,the sounds of music and mirth came wafted to him through the open casement1 and never seemed they less congenial to his feelings4 ,if ,i could only think it some of that ill-natured woman's gossip1 ,i would not care1 he said1 half aloud1 for the mind that could indite such an epistle as ,ella received1 containing the account of ,agnes's supposed death1 would be capable of anything1--but1 alas1 ,i fear it is too true4 ',her heart it is another's1 and ,it never can be mine4' ,yes1 she appears reserved1 almost cold with me4 ,i am evidently shunned by her1 while he is welcomed most warmly1 whenever he appears4 ,but ,i cannot blame her4 ,it was natural that an acquaintance1 thus strangely formed1 should lead to such a result1 and he1 too1 yes1 he is worthy of her4 ,he loves her dearly1 ,i am sure of that2 but never1 never can he regard her as ,i do4 ,again the sounds of music swelled on the balmy evening breeze4 ,it was now a woman's voice that warbled clear and sweet a touching strain4 ,it is ,agnes1 he murmured1 adding as a fine manly voice took up another part1 and that is ,ernest ,clifford4 ,my fondest hopes1 a long1 a last1 farewell4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,a fortnight had elapsed subsequent to the festivity recorded in the preceding chapter1 when1 late one afternoon1 ,arthur1--who had been engaged from early morning in a distant part of the city1 transacting some business of importance1--as he returned1 passing by ,mr4 ,denham's dwelling1 suddenly came in contact with ,mr4 ,clifford1 who1 with a quick1 eager step1 and a countenance all aglow with some pleasurable emotion1 was hurrying on1 so absorbed in his own thoughts1 that he was only arrested by the sound of his friend's voice4 ,you seem to be in a great hurry1 ,clifford1 said ,arthur smiling1 though it must be confessed his heart felt little attuned to mirth2 and1 judging from the expression of your countenance1 combined with your unusual absent-mindedness1 something more than usual must have occurred1 and that of a very pleasurable nature1 to have thus excited you4 ,you have made a capital guess of it1 ,arthur4 ,i have been putting forth every energy of late to win a priceless treasure1 and after a desperate effort1 have succeeded4 ,is not that a subject for congratulation8 ,at last1 at last1 she is won1 inwardly murmured poor ,arthur1 while his whole frame seemed convulsed1 but controlling himself1 as he observed his companion's glance fixed eagerly upon him1 he replied1 in a tone which1 in spite of his efforts1 sounded cold and somewhat ungracious4 ,i shall be a better judge of that1 ,clifford1 when ,i know what the nature of the prize1 and whether it was valuable enough to warrant the efforts put forth to obtain it4 ,valuable1 there is no boon on earth to be compared to it4 ,i might exhaust comparisons in vain to furnish a fit simile2 for1 in it1 is combined all that is lovely1 virtuous and excellent4 ,to descend1 however1 from parable1 in order to enlighten you1 allow me to say1 and a slight flush mounted to the speaker's face1 while his companion's cheek grew ashy pale1 that ,i have been so truly fortunate as to secure a place in the affections of a woman1 to my mind1 the loveliest of her sex4 ,but1 happy as ,i am in obtaining such an avowal1 there is one drawback to my felicity2 her consent must be ratified1 so she affirms1 by a beloved relative1 before ,i am to consider it binding4 ,and ,i--do you know1 ,arthur--,i never dreamed ,i was a coward until now2 but it seems such presumption in me to expect a man to part with a flower that he has tenderly nurtured and cherished1 that it may adorn with its beauty and grace another homestead1 far removed1 perhaps1 from the eyes that delighted to watch its expanding charms4 ,this suspense is intolerable1 murmured ,arthur ,bernard to himself1 while in blissful unconsciousness his companion went on4 ,why does he not speak her name out clearly1 and put an end to this torture1 which racks every nerve of my frame8 ,and now1 ,arthur1 ,i want your advice4 ,woman-hater as you are1--,clifford said with a smile4 ,i suppose ,agnes told him that1 she thought so herself1 no doubt1 was ,arthur's mental parenthesis4 ,woman-hater as you are1 ,i know you deem my hopes and fears as both unfounded2 but1 never mind1 you will1 ,i trust1 know by experience some day or other1 so1 in consideration of that coming1 happy time1 will you inform me in what terms ,i can possibly have the presumption1 to request of the lady's relative1 that he graciously permit her to bestow her hand upon your humble servant8 ,i do not foresee any difficulty1 said ,arthur1 with a tremulous effort at composure4 ,the lady's consent once secured1 ,i should think all others of comparatively little moment1 and with the knowledge that her happiness depends on their sanction1 it will1 ,i believe1 be readily accorded4 ,how happy you make me1 my dear fellow1 though you did deliver that speech1 as though you were negotiating some bank business4 ,and so1 you would advise me to put a bold face on the matter1 and say to them1 'she is mine1 and ,i will have her4' ,if that form of expression suits you best1 use it1 by all means2 ,i have no objection4 ,then ,i shall act upon your advice immediately1 ,arthur ,bernard1 and the voice at once became deeply solemn and earnest4 ,are you willing to resign to my fondest1 my tenderest care1 your only and beloved sister ,ella1 to whom ,i am aware you are so deeply attached1 and who returns your affection with all the warmth of her loving nature4 ,arthur ,bernard1 could not reply4 ,he was bewildered1 stunned1 at the intelligence4 ,from the very depth and agony of despair1 to be raised to the very summit of hope1 was almost too much for poor human nature to bear4 ,his friend observed his emotion1 but attributed it to a very different cause1 and his countenance1 so joyous a moment before1 clouded instantly4 ,i see1 he said1 in a low and mournful tone1 that this does not meet your wishes1 nor can ,i wonder at it1 for ,i feel ,i am not worthy of so precious a gift1 except for the intense love ,i bear her1--a love which1 ,i trust1 if permitted1 shall be manifested in every action of my future life4 ,not meet my wishes6 ,you have totally mistaken me1 my friend1 my brother1 as ,i would now joyfully call you1 pressing fervently his companion's hand as he spoke2 you are worthy of my darling ,ella1 my beloved sister1 and there is none other1 to whom ,i could yield her less reluctantly than yourself4 ,with a brother's blessing ,i commit her to you1 and as she has been to me the most faithful and affectionate of sisters1 so1 ,i am sure1 you will find her the truest and most devoted of wives4 ,there was a pause4 ,both the gentlemen were affected1 and they continued their walk1 which had been extended to a solitary part of the city's suburbs1 for some time in silence1 which ,ernest was the first to break4 ,i cannot thank you in words2 they are too poor to express how ,i estimate this frank and generous consent2 my actions will1 ,i trust1 show how truly ,i appreciate it4 ,forgive me1 ,arthur1 for my unjust suspicions1 but ,i imagined when ,i commenced the conversation1 that you suspected the nature of my embassy1 and by cold looks and words strove to divert me from speaking in plainer terms1 and forcing you to a denial of my request4 ,arthur was slightly embarrassed1 and his companion looked at him1 wondering what could thus discompose his usually sedate friend4 ,the truth is1 he said after a pause1 that ,i totally misunderstood you1 so you see there has been a mutual mistake4 ,i have been blind1 indeed1 but ,i had not the slightest idea that you entertained any feeling but friendship for ,ella4 ,and pray1 then1 if you will permit me to inquire1 and there was something mischievous in the speaker's glance and tone1 to whom did you imagine ,i alluded1 when ,i informed you that1 woman1 dear woman1 was the prize so much coveted8 ,well1 ,i did think1 and the speaker's hesitancy was not by any means unobserved by his friend1 for report affirmed1 that ,miss ,wiltshire was the lady to whom you intended to vow life-long allegiance4 ,and so you supposed ,i had come to make a confidant of you4 ,i wonder you did not knock me down for my presumption1 in expecting to eclipse you in her eyes4 ,no1 no1 my dear ,sir1 ,i was not such a simpleton1 for had ,i entertained hopes of that kind before1 the joy which lighted up her fine eyes1 and glowed on her countenance1 on that eventful meeting with you on her return1 combined1 how often1 with subsequent similar observation1 would have been quite sufficient proof to me that my expectations were 'baseless as the fabric of a vision4' ,arthur smiled and shook his head1 though the subject was by no means an unpleasing one1 at least judging from his animated countenance1 and the rapt attention which he paid to every word4 ,but who1 may ,i ask1 ,ernest1 was your informant as to my claims to the title of 'woman-hater8' ,not ,miss ,wiltshire1 ,i can credibly affirm4 ,more than that ,i do not think it is fair to tell you4 ,well1 well1 ,i am perfectly satisfied1 and now ,i think it is time for us to retrace our steps in the direction of home4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,and so our dear young lady is married1 ,ellen8 said ,mrs4 ,williamson to her daughter1 who had just returned from a visit to ,b----4 ,yes1 mother1 and a beautiful bride she made4 ,ay1 ,i doubt it not1 and as good as beautiful1 said the father1 who had just come in to ,ellen's neat little cottage1 to hear all the particulars connected with her late journey4 ,and they treated you well1 ,ellen1 did they not8 ,treated me well8 why1 mother1 it was like a new world2 and they were so kind to me1 took me to every place1 and showed me everything worth seeing4 ,and1 dear me1 but it is a beautiful city2 such grand buildings1 such water-works1 such parks1 all laid out with trees1 and walks1 and grass-plots1 and seats1 where you can rest whenever you choose1--and then at night1 the splendid shops are so dazzlingly lit up1 and the streets almost as bright as day4 ,oh1 surely it is a fine thing to live in the city6 ,ha1 ha1 said a clear1 manly voice1 and the speaker entered the door2 so my little bird has become restive since her taste of city life1 and longs to fly away again4 ,indeed1 ,edward1 that is not true4 ,if ,i had been brought up to city-ways1 ,i think ,i should like to live there2 but1 now1 ,i like my home better1 far better4 ,i only wish we could have the meetings on ,sunday1 that ,i went to there2 oh1 mother1 she said1 as she turned suddenly round to address her1 it would have done your heart good to have heard the singing1 and have listened to the sermons1 and such grand churches1 all crowded too4 ,but ,i want to hear everything from the beginning1 said ,mr4 ,williamson4 ,well1 then1 ,i will commence my history from the time we got there4 ,you know ,miss ,agnes was expecting me1 and they kept a constant look-out1 so that the vessel had not been an hour at the wharf1 but what should ,i see but a splendid carriage1 driven by two white horses1 galloping down1 and how overjoyed ,i was when ,miss ,agnes stepped out1 and came on board1 and ran up and kissed me1 and we both shed tears1 ,i believe1 for ,i saw her put her handkerchief to her eyes1 and ,i cried for joy at seeing her again4 ,and then ,i must go right home with her2 she would fain have had ,edward1 too1 but he could not leave his vessel1 yet was quite willing that ,i should go1 so my trunk was handed in1 we both stepped into the carriage1 and were off in a few moments1 ,edward standing on the deck1 watching till we were out of sight2 at least ,i take that for granted4 ,well1 we drove to her uncle's dwelling1 a large white house1 with splendidly ornamented pillars in front1 and a balcony all round4 ,it stands in the midst of a park1 at least so ,i call it2 and there is a fountain just before the door1 flinging its glistening waters to a great height1 and grass1 and flowers1 and large shady trees1 and winding walks1 and it looked altogether so lovely to me1 with the sun shining down upon it1 that ,i cannot find words to describe it4 ,well1 we got out at the hall-door1 and ,i followed ,agnes into a parlor1 where her uncle and aunt were sitting1 and1 would you believe it1 as soon as they saw me they came forward1 and kissed me1 and made me sit by them1 and told me that ,agnes had related to them all the kindness that had been shown to her by our family1 and how thankful they were to us all for it2 and then asked me about my husband1 who1 they said1 had rescued her from a watery grave1 and how anxious they were to see him1 and hoped he would be able to call soon1 and so he did that very evening1 and a happy time we had of it6 ,the next morning there came in to ,mr4 ,denham's1 a young gentleman with ,mr4 ,clifford1 who you know stopped here with ,captain ,pierce2 and they both shook me warmly by the hand4 ,this young gentleman's name was ,bernard1 and while ,agnes was talking to ,mr4 ,clifford1 he asked me many questions about my home1 and about the people that lived here1 and wanted to know if there were often shipwrecks near the place4 ,i knew well enough what he wished to find out1 for ,i saw him1 every now and then1 look at ,miss ,agnes so wistfully and sad1 and then at ,mr4 ,clifford1 as though he envied him the seat near her1 and so ,i felt a kind of pity for him1 and began to tell him1 in a low tone1 what ,i knew he was longing to hear1 though ,i suppose he had heard it all before2 but1 somehow1 people never get weary of hearing about the one they love4 ,and1 oh1 he grew so lively1 as ,i went on1 and seemed such a pleased listener1--and when ,i told him how much good she had done1 and what a change had come over the place1 while she stopped here2 the day and night schools she had formed1 and the services she had held on the ,sabbath1 his very eyes seemed to thank me1 they shone so brightly2 and when ,i had finished1 he said1 in a low tone1 which he did not think ,i overheard1 ',yes1 she is indeed an angel2 so much the more bitter for me6' ,they left soon after1 ,mr4 ,clifford being in somewhat of a hurry2 so ,mr4 ,bernard had but little opportunity of conversing with ,miss ,agnes2 and after they were gone1 she stood by the window in silence for a few moments1 and when she turned to speak1 ,i saw that a tear had fallen on her long lashes1 but she said1 in a cheerful tone1 ',we will go now and take the promised drive4' ,and so we did1 and a charming one it was4 ,mr4 ,denham came with us1 and he pointed out everything to me that was new and beautiful2 if ,i had been his own daughter1 he could not have been kinder4 ,but still1 while ,i was looking at all the noble buildings1 ,i could not help thinking of ,mr4 ,bernard2 and then ,miss ,agnes1 while she talked and laughed a good deal1 seemed as though she were striving to be cheerful1 ,i thought it did not come as natural to her there1 as it did when she was with us1 and ,i half fancied something was going wrong4 ,then her uncle began to talk of ,mr4 ,clifford1 and to praise him very much2 and ,i watched her1 though she little knew it2 but she joined with him warmly1 and her color never rose a bit1 nor her voice faltered4 ,by and bye1 somehow or another1 ,i believe it was myself spoke of ,mr4 ,bernard1 and he1 too1 came in for a large share of praise from ,mr4 ,denham2 but ,agnes only responded1 ',yes1 ,i have no doubt of it1' looking at the same time very earnestly out of the carriage window2 but ,i caught a glimpse of her face1 as she turned it1 and saw a delicate rose-color flush her cheeks1 and then ,i knew that ,mr4 ,bernard need not despair4 ,so it went on from day to day4 ,we rode1 and walked1 and shopped1 and visited1 and attended museums1 and lectures1 and meetings1 and yet ,i fancied ,agnes grew sadder and sadder2 and ,mr4 ,bernard1 when ,i saw him now and then1 for he did not come much to the house1 looked like a man who was bravely struggling against some misfortune1 which1 in spite of his efforts1 was well nigh crushing him4 ,but one evening1 ,agnes had been invited out to a dinner party2 they had sent me an invitation1 also1 but ,i declined going1 for ,i knew ,i should not feel at home among so many strangers1 and they so far above me2 so ,i remained with ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,denham4 ',i would far rather stay with you1' ,miss ,agnes said1 'than go out this evening1 but these are very particular friends1 who would feel ,i slighted them1 if ,i remained away2 but1 indeed1 ,i do not feel at all well4' ,i was in her dressing-room at the time1 and she was preparing for the occasion4 ',you do look pale1 ,miss ,agnes1' ,i replied1 'and your eyes look heavy4' ,i was pretty sure1 from their appearance1 she had been weeping that afternoon4 ,however1 she went2 for it was not her fashion to consult her own ease1 when others were to be gratified4 ,it was little more than #aj o'clock that night2 ,edward had been with me during the evening1 but had just returned to his ship1 and ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,denham had retired to rest1 for they kept early hours2 ,i was sitting in the parlor1 reading a beautiful book1 a present from ,agnes1 when ,i heard steps coming up the gravel walk1 and a murmur of voices in earnest conversation4 ,i peeped through the half-closed blind1 and beheld ,miss ,wiltshire arm in arm with a gentleman1 whom ,i took to be1 though ,i could not see very distinctly1 ,mr4 ,bernard4 ,in a moment after they entered1 and sure enough it was ,mr4 ,bernard1 though every trace of sadness had disappeared from his face1 and as he came forward and shook hands with me1 asking me so kindly how ,i was1 his very voice seemed altered1 it was so gay1 so joyous4 ,i tried to catch a glimpse of ,miss ,agnes's countenance1--it was some time before she lifted her veil1 but when she flung it aside1 as she took off her bonnet1 ,i saw that her former paleness had been succeeded by a rosy-red1 and her eyes seemed beaming with new life4 ,we sat and talked for some time1 at least ,mr4 ,bernard and ,i1 for ,miss ,wiltshire was unusually silent4 ,at length he took his leave1 but as he clasped her hand1 and bade her ',good night1' ,i heard him say in a low tone1 ',i shall see ,mr4 ,denham1 if nothing happens1 early to-morrow morning1'--and so departed4 ,we soon separated for the night1 and ,i heard nothing until the next day1 when ,agnes told me all the particulars4 ,it seems there had been a mistake all round2 ,mr4 ,bernard having believed that ,mr4 ,clifford was his rival1 and ,miss ,wiltshire imagined1 from something some lady told--,maria as they called her1 ,i heard her other name1 but forget it--that ,mr4 ,bernard had been paying her very great attention1 and had almost1 if not actually1 proposed for her hand4 ,there was not a word of truth in that1 of course2 but this ,maria1 it seems1 was determined to have the young gentleman1 and did not care what she said or did1 if she could only secure him4 ,but it came out right1 after all2 ,providence is always good to those that trust ,him1 and so1 just a week ago to-day1 for we sailed immediately after the wedding1 they were married1 and ,mr4 ,clifford at the same time4 ,but who did ,mr4 ,clifford marry8 inquired one of the deeply interested listeners4 ,mr4 ,bernard's sister1 a sweet pretty young creature1 with eyes as blue as a summer's sky4 ,and such a sight it was to see the two brides2 both dressed alike in white satin1 with orange blossoms in their hair1 and white veils on the back of the head1 falling over their shoulders like a mantle4 ,it was so strange1 too1 that the clergyman who married them1 and who was a great friend of ,miss ,wiltshire's1 had been a passenger in the very steamer from which she had so narrow an escape2 he had embarked in another boat1 and with the rest of the male passengers had got safe to land4 ,a short time before her wedding1 ,agnes met him in the street1 just after his arrival from some distant part1 and she said1 she did not know which was the greatest1 his joy or surprise at seeing her1 for he had never heard of her wonderful preservation1 and had not1 therefore1 the most distant idea she was in the land of the living4 ,well1 as soon as it was over1 and they stepped out of the church1 the joy bells rang out1 so merrily1 and every person looked so pleased and so happy4 ,there was a grand lunch at ,mr4 ,denham's1 and then the bridal party drove away to spend the honeymoon in travelling4 ,well1 she deserved a good husband1 and ,i trust she has got one1 said ,mrs4 ,williamson1 as ,ellen paused to take breath1 and ,i pray that ,heaven may bless them both6 ,amen1 was the hearty response of the listeners1 a response which1 we trust1 kind reader1 you will have no hesitation in echoing4 ,the wish of ,ellen1 which she gave expression to1 as she narrated her visit1 unlike most earthly wishes1 was1 in the space of a year or two1 abundantly realized4 ,through the instrumentality of ,agnes and her devoted husband1 a neat little church was erected2 a school-house quickly followed2 a minister and teacher were obtained2 the people1 stimulated by their example1 rebuilt and improved their dwellings2 began to cultivate their land1 and that with such success1 that fruit and flowers1 and shady trees1 and fields of waving grain1 were1 in a comparatively short time1 to be seen in every direction1 so that with regard to those changes1 and the instrumentality through which they had been effected1 it is little wonder that ,mrs4 ,williamson1 as she pointed them out to her family1 would now and then exclaim1-- ,the wilderness and the solitary place were made glad by her1 and the desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose4 ,verily ,agnes ,bernard has her reward now1 in the enjoyments which cluster so thickly around her2 in the happiness of which she is at once the dispenser and partaker2 but how greatly shall it be increased1 when1 from a ,saviour's lips1 shall be heard the welcome plaudit3-- ,inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these1 ye did it unto me4