love, and see him happy; and her rapid imagination already formed a hundred plans of what she would do to reconcile him to his situation.

The maid-servant then entered the room, and, with many apologies, offered to conduct them to another parlour, where a fire and a supper were provided for their refreshment; but the various ideas which crouded Ellen's mind as she passed through these apartments, which she had formerly beheld full of company, and the recollection of those gay and giddy scenes took from her all inclination to eat, and she sat silently musing on the vicissitudes which, even in her short life, she had experienced.

Mrs. Irvin had again recourse to anticipated pleasures." You found no satisfaction like what, I hope, you will in future enjoy, my dear," said she, "in all the follies of the world."

"Ah!" said Ellen, sighing; "it is their follies I regret pleasure or satisfaction I am sure I never felt while I was engaged in them: but I am sorry, that so many are mistaken in the path they choose."

Mr. Herbert feared to pursue this subject: but after the cloth was removed, by his religious and friendly conversation he led her mind

to rest on THE ALMIGHTY for assistance and support.

Before they parted for the night, they joined in prayer; and, imploring the aid and protection of their CREATOR, they retired to sleep, with grateful and composed affections towards GOD and the world.

CHAPTER XII

"In prosperity, the bountiful Giver is obscured by the multiplicity of his own gifts; but when the tempest of adversity descends, this cloud is dispersed, and man, desolate and forlorn, feels the necessities of his nature, his weakness and dependence, his hopelessness, and need of Divine aid; and returns repentant to duty, to happiness, and to GOD."

WHEN

HEN Mr. Herbert and Mrs. Irvin were, the next morning, introduced to Mr. Stanley, he was too polite not to appear obliged by their visit, though it was evident he felt embarrassed in their company: They observed his silence, however, and after the first compliments at meeting were over, soon left the room, under the excuse of fearing to fatigue him by too long a stay.

When again alone with his daughter, she, willing to remove the chagrin which still disturbed his countenance, asked if he had seen the Arnolds very lately?" O, no, they would not come to visit a sick man, and one who is poor also; in short, my dear," said he, with a sigh, no one but yourself would think it worth

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their while to come near me;-you, I knew I had injured, and therefore I was unwilling to see you; but to my friends in town, as they were falsely called, I never did a wrong, but, while in my power, I always contributed to their amusement; and now they find I can no longer promote this, they are gone to seek some other dupe!"

This was spoken with such an air of regret, and wounded pride, that Ellen was sorry she had led to the subject; but with a smile of affection she answered: "And you, my dear father, will, I hope, seek other friends: I know some who will deserve that name, if you will allow them it.-At Milwood, we are all friends, and as much so in adversity as in prosperity.I should think the change of air and scene would help your recovery also," added she: 66 my aunt means to offer you part of her house, if you will accept it. There it shall be uneasiness my endeavour to remove every may have, and by my earnest attention and sincere affection, to add to your future happiness."

you

Again softened by her tenderness, he pressed her to his bosom.-" If any thing could give balm to a wounded mind," said he, " it would be such kind regard as yours, my Ellen; but I am not worthy of it.”

Ellen, with increased emotion, assured him all her future life should be employed in convincing him to the contrary, and then, by his desire, went to beg Mr. Herbert's return to him for a short time.

This request was readily complied with ; and won by the friendly interest this good man seemed to take in all that concerned him, Mr. Stanley laid before him all his pecuniary affairs.-His debts of honour appeared considerable in Mr. Herbert's eyes; though their whole amount could not be ascertained till farther enquiries were made. Mr. Stanley blamed himself for playing for the very high sums he had lately staked, but he acknowledged there were still other debts; and his new friend encouraged him to look into them without farther delay.

The attorney was therefore sent for, and, after many arrangements, all was left to his management; and Mr. Stanley listened with complacency to the scheme both Mrs. Irvin and his daughter had proposed, of his returning to Milwood with them, as the society of Mr. Herbert appeared every day more agreeable to him.

His house in town, with all its furniture, was disposed of; and in about a month after Ellen had, with so much anxiety, hastened to a parent whom she feared to find dying, she had the satisfaction of returning with him to the place