for a few days from their attendance on Mr. Howard, that gentleman having been summoned on some clerical business to Exeter. Percy was to accompany his father on an equestr

ng by going into the stream which ran through the park to sail a newly-rigged frigate), and angry at the delay, fearing that his aunt would not wait for him, he worked himself into such a violent passion, that when Robert did appear

r Fortescue till he knows how to ask it," was Mrs. Hamilton's most unexpected interfere

shoes and put them away, you may join me in the

eks were still flushed, he did not utter another word till nearly a quarter of a mile on their walk. Twice he had looked up in his aun

, dear aunt; but indeed I c

had hoped you were learning more control, and to

red Edward, "and I will ask Rober

f you are only to ask Robert's pardon for fear of your uncle, I would rather you should not do so. Tell me t

itatingly an

why

e for keeping me waiting as he did,

was my fault not his, as I was employing him; and as for i

I know he called me impatient, and if

help thinking how very far superior was Robert, a poor

d clenched his hand, to prevent any farther display of ange

s, and though often impatient never abused him. You heard the word

ed Edward, in a low voice, as if still a

ne had used abusive terms toward you, and contemptuously desir

sionately, and quite forgetting his wished for control. "Ne

anner? Do you think he has no feeling?-that he

a minute quite

t length; "but I certainly supposed I had a righ

s Robert so fa

and I am a gentlem

it any credit to you, individually, to be higher in t

ontinued to talk to him so kindly yet s

; but what can I do to prove to Robert I am

or do you only say this for fea

earnestly; "I deserve his anger, and would willingl

quer yourself as to apologize to Robert; and I think the pain of so doing will enable you more easily to remember all we have been saying, than if you weakly shrink from it. The

urned Edward, sorrowfully; "but whenever any thing provokes me, som

erseverance; but remember, the more difficult the task, the greater the rewa

oked up s

angry when I said Rob

d Edward, blu

never alone. You can not even think an angry thought, much less speak an abusive word and commit the most trifling act of passion, without offending God. If you would but ask for His help, and recollect that to offend H

ed, and so turned in the direction of Greville Manor. They walked on for some little time in silence, gradually ascending one of those steep and narrow but green and flowery lanes peculiar to Devons

med no longer a meandering river: it was so encompassed by thick woods and fertile hills that it resembled a lake, to which there was neither outlet nor inlet, save from the land. The trees all presented that exquisite variety of green peculiar to May, and so lofty was the slope on which they grew, that some seemed to touch the very sky, w

parts of the river were in complete shade from the overhanging branches, while beyond them would stretch the bright blue of heaven: in other parts, a stray sunbeam would dart through an opening in the t

eel as if I were not half so passionate in the

God is so impressed upon his works-we can so distinctly trace goodness, and love, and power, in the gift of such a bountiful world, that I feel still more how wrong it is to indulge in vexat

g wrong, dear aunt," said Edward, look

ore years to think and try to improve in; but just in the same way as you have duties to perform and feelings to overcome, so have I; and if I fail in the endeavor to lead you all in the better and happier path-or feel too much anxiety, or shrink from giving myself pain, when compelled to c

at times found it difficult to do right, was very strange; but yet somehow it seemed to comfort him, and to inspire him with a sort of courage to emulate her, and conquer his difficulties. He had fancied that she could not possibl

d of seeking the front entrance, Mrs. Hamilton led the way to the flower-g

e saw poor Mary, her head leaning against Herbert, deluged in tears. Mrs. Greville was not there, though the books, work, and maps upon the table told of their morning's employment having been the same

; but the words were inarticulate from sobs; and Mrs. Hamilton, desiring Edward to amuse himself in the garden, made her sit down by her, and told her not to attempt to check her tears, but to let them have free vent a few minutes, and

, and in endeavoring to make his son exactly like himself. Young as the boy was-scarcely twelve-he took him to scenes of riot and feasting, which the society of some boon companions, unhappily near neighbors, permitted; and though Alfred's cheek be

and implored him, with such a tone and look of agony, only to listen to her, for her sake to give up his intended pleasure; that, almost frightened by an emotion which in his gentle mother he had scarcely ever seen, and suddenly remembering that he had lately been indeed most unkind and neglectful to her, he threw his arms round her neck, and promised with tears that if it gave her so much pain, he would not go; and so sincere was his feeling at the moment that, had there been no tempter near, he would, in all probability, have kept his word. But the moment Mr. Greville heard from his son his change of intention and its cause, he so laughed at his ridiculous folly, so sneered at his want of spirit in preferring his mother's whims to his father's pleasu

le desired Mary to proceed with the exercise she was writing, and emulating her firmness, she tried to obey. Fortunately her task was writing, for to have spoken or re

amma and Mary

reply. "You have kept me long enough, and mu

art; but this only lasted a minute, for the next she had fallen quite senseless on the floor. Her poor child hung over her almost paralyzed with terror, and so long did the faint last, that she was conveyed to her own room, partially undressed, and laid on her bed before she at all recovered. A brief while she had clasped Mary to her

could she sympathize with her, that her society brought with it the onl

even seemed like complaint; "but for my poor child. How is her fragile frame and gentle spiri

ook up in love and trust, even when below all of comfort as of joy seemed departed; and in a few days she was enabled to resume her usu

; for, what had he done to be so much more blessed? And when Mr. Hamilton, who, wondering at their long absence, had come out to meet them, put his arm affectionately round him, and asked him what could possibly make him look so pale and pensive, the boy's excited feelings completely overpowered him. He buried his face on his father's shoulder, and burst into tears; and then leav

ry much more difficult when he was no longer hearing his aunt's earnest words; but he did conquer himself, and the fond approvin