I shall try never to give way to any unkind feeling towards her. There are points in her character deserving of our respect. She really has been attached to papa for a long time, and, you see, has remained true to her affection, for I know she has had several offers."

"Those offers were only for her money. And that is all papa cares about, I know. It is shameful of him! As if we wanted a person setting over us at our age!"

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Laura, papa is master of the house; and, as children, I am sure we ought to desire his happiness before our own."

"If it had been a nice person, I should not have cared so much,” replied Laura.

"It would have been the same. You thought Miss Grant charming before you knew all this."

"Yes! I feel so angry with myself, when I think of it. But we are too old to be governed now."

"No, Laura. We are not too old to learn a useful lesson of submission. This trial will teach us

self-denial. We must make up our minds to surrender Our own wills now a house divided would be shocking; besides, it is right that we should be the parties to submit."

"I wish I could see it, Ethel! It would comfort me. Sometimes I want to be like you; but then the feeling goes again. There would be so much to give up that I enjoy. I look with surprise when you bear things so patiently, and wonder how you can endure to be provoked. But often your very mildness vexes me: if you would sometimes do wrong, or speak angrily to me in return, I should feel pleased; I have such malicious feelings, in wishing to taunt you with impatience."

VOL. I

"But you little know, Laura, how things do put me out such trifles, frequently. I have bitterly to bewail my short-comings, and if one evil temper is conquered it is by God's grace alone. Dear Laura, I wish you would let me love you," Ethel added, after a pause, as she entwined her arms round Laura's neck.

"But do you really love me?" inquired Laura, with one of her bewitching little smiles, which carried such irresistible fascination in it.

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“Oh, yes,

dearest! more than I can tell." "Well, then, I shall feel happier for it; though you must not expect me to grow good. I like you to love me, but I cannot give up as you have done, and submit to a step-mother. I must leave home. I feel I cannot endure to be tyrannised over," Laura said, determinately.

Ethel had no time to reply, for Mr. Woodville just then entered and inquired for tea. The cold, haughty manner Laura had assumed to her father since the previous evening, returned. Mr. Woodville, however, took no notice of her, and the meal passed as usual, and immediately after he went out as they rightly conjectured, to spend the rest of the evening with Miss Grant.

CHAPTER XV.

"He is a free man whom the truth makes free,
And all are slaves besides."-COWPER.

"Though shining millions around thee stand,
For the sake of Him at thy right hand,
Oh! think on the souls he died for here,
Thus wand'ring in darkness, in doubt, and fear.
Thy aid, O mighty One! we crave,

Nor shortened is thy hand to save;

Afar from thee we now sojourn :

Return to us, O God, return!"- HOGG.

MR. WOODVILLE, on his return, announced to his daughters that Miss Grant had kindly promised to come and spend the following evening with them, in order to talk over future plans. Laura's lip quivered with indignation, while Ethel's curled haughtily for the moment, and a rich colour mounted to her cheek, which, however, soon faded away in the violent effort she made to restrain her feelings at this unwelcome information. Laura made no observation at the time, but no sooner had her father returned to his office the following afternoon, than she set out to spend it with a friend, in order to show how little she cared for her father, or Miss Grant. Ethel in vain endeavoured to dissuade her; but Laura was determined, and further entreaty was useless. Ethel had employed her leisure time in collecting a few notes, and in earnest prayer, that if she really should be called on to give a

reason for the hope that was in her to Raymond, she might do it aright.

About three o'clock, his dog-cart drove up to the door, and he alighted with Fido in his arms for Minnie, who was in ecstasies of delight. Ethel felt dreadfully nervous, as Raymond, after asking if she was disengaged, requested her permission to remain. She felt as if it were highly improper to have a tête-àtête with him; but she had not done it intentionally, for however much the presence of Laura might have tended to prevent religious conversation, Ethel felt it would not have been suitable to see Raymond alone had Laura been in the house. She had mentioned the probability of his calling to Laura, as an inducement for her to stay at home; but even Raymond's name had lost its power, when the alternative remained of avoiding Miss Grant. Raymond made Fido perform all the little tricks he had taught her, for Minnie's benefit, and then the child seated herself at some little distance with her new pet, to make it re-perform them. Ethel's heart beat quickly with agitation as Raymond, turning from Minnie, addressed her, though it was but a trivial observation.

"Ada was very curious to know my errand this afternoon, but I durst not let her into my secret lest she should have wanted to come too, and then, I fear, you would not have cared to talk to me. I envy Ada having you for a friend. And I think, Miss Woodville, you have been of much use to my dear sister. She is far happier than formerly. I wish you would accept me for a pupil, and reform me. I fear, though, I am more incorrigible. But will you try me? Will you kindly assist to settle my doubts? Will you, in fact, show me the way to be a happier man?" Raymond added, hurriedly.

"And have you not talked to Ada? And could she not point to the source of happiness?"

"Yes, she has told me a great deal. But Ada is not like you. She has not felt it all as you have; at least, not so fully."

"And are you desirous of really feeling these things? Will you tell me candidly your motive in seeking to know my reasons for endeavouring to be a Christian?" replied Ethel.

"You must not probe me too closely, Miss Woodville. I do not think I could clearly define to myself my reasons for wishing to know why you believe. Is it not sufficient that I am inquiring?"

"Yes, perhaps it is. But, you see, I know so little. I would far rather you would search and see for yourself. All the arguments of doubters have been undeniably refuted many times, and the books written for the purpose would explain so much better than I can."

"But books are not so pleasant a medium as conversation; and if there be one channel more agreeable than another for obtaining information, why debar me of it?" he said, smiling.

"Then I understand you wish to know my reasons for believing the Bible to be the word of God?"

"Precisely so. I have confessed to you that I have doubts, and serious ones too, whether God has given a revelation to man. I do not say I am altogether an unbeliever, but I often feel so uncertain, that I am almost tempted to think I shall be one."

"I trust God's mercy may be extended to you while there is yet time."

"You must not suppose I have forgotten your advice the other day at Langton, on the subject of prayer, for I have since then bent my knees frequently