sembled at Mrs. Bernard's,

gnes will refuse to come, and I have set my heart on having her, and I strongly suspect somebody else has done the same," glancing mischievously at her bro

fondly kissing her daughter's fair upturned brow;

s, and send them. But, Arthur, I declare you have not said a word; one would im

foolish parties? Do you not know I

a small select gathering of friends for Agnes's sake, your very eyes shone with joy, for all you did wear that provoking grave look. Confess, too, that you

and, to punish you, I have a great mind to declare I

at you would thus punish yourself worse than me. But if I stand talking any longer, my invitations will not be written in season, so I mus

. He scarcely had ever mentioned Agnes's name, and yet, he could not conceal from himself

had often met with her before; and, even then, she charmed him as no other woman ever did, but when report told of her engagement to Ed

sojourn in foreign lands, to banish her image from his remembrance, and vainly imagined he had succeeded; but the flame, thoug

ere examining the choice engravings that lay scattered on the tables; others were standing in a group round the piano, admiring some new music which Ella had that day received; while the elder members of the party were gathered round the fireside, enjoying its cheerful blaze, and merrily discussing the events of th

erved one young lady to another who was seate

pale and sad both

atched her closely, it was evident to him that, while with her usual unselfishness, she strove to promote the happiness of others by entering cheerfully into conversati

gnes, seated on a corner of the sofa, and imagining herself unobserved by the rest of the company, had for a moment clos

ld plainly that it was anything but a matter of indifference to the speaker, and Agnes, blushing deeply as she met Arthur's compassionate glance,

d inquiry, and one which was strictly correct, for the he

yself, for the evening, your devoted knight; and shall, therefore, rem

be not deprived of the pleasure of your company for my gratifi

he drew a portfolio from the centre table, which contained some sketches taken during his recent tour, and, in pointing out the different places and relating h

church, whose white walls peeped out from the midst of thick foliage, and whose opened doors seemed

Arthur, who could not imagine why she seemed to admire this sketch in preference

this scene should particularly attract me. It is because it reminds me of the happiest hours of my life, for, in a

ill see so much hypocrisy in the church,-there are so many, even among those who minister in holy things, who seem by their actions wedded to the vanities which they profess to reno

one in the world who was really the possessor of true religion, 'What is that to thee?' The claims of Heaven are not less binding on you, because not recognized or responded to by the multitude, for each m

moments, which was broken by

ressed on my mind. What a lovely example of all Christian graces was she, for in her they seemed blended, like the exquisite tints of the rainbow, into a perfect whole. Her gentle reproof,-her winning manner ever alluring us to that which was right,-her u

, for when tempted, by my gay companions at college, to join them in the pleasures of sin, her look of mild entreaty seemed e

t you so highly estimate woman's influence, for you have largely benefited by it; but though d

on errands

icken, and fo

are allowed to remain; but may it not be graciously ordered thus, to excite in us an ardent desire for that preparation

he fainting

to life

ot that I am permitted to look forward to that inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, an

inquiringly, "are, I trust, a

ved from

t, veril

pleasures

hine," was the reply; "and if the future appears now to point to

e, and here

from age

e to request Agnes to play for her a favorite tune, and their conversation, wi