of poor Ethel, who was keenly alive to the turn events were likely to take. But the poor old lady's health was failing rapidly; the approaching winter seemed to cause her much suffering; and she could seldom leave the house, unless the day was very mild.

Ethel used to look at her with sorrowful forebodings, as she saw how rapidly her mother's friend was failing; and the idea took possession of her mind so very forcibly one morning, as she was hastening home after paying her a visit, that she was unconscious of the passers-by, until the friendly voice of Ada roused her from her reverie.

"How deeply you are thinking, Ethel! I began to fear you would not know me."

"I believe I was almost lost in thought; but I am not the less glad to see you, dear Ada. It seems long since we met."

"So it is. But whose fault is that, I wonder?" Ethel coloured. She knew she ought to have been to call on Ada; but she shrank from going to Thurlston alone: a sort of dread of being seen by Raymond at his house had partly prevented her.

“I am very sorry I have not been to Thurlston. I will really try to find my way there. I fear you will think me rude."

66

I will not say that I do not. Here have we been at Thurlston three or four months, and you have never yet called on me. You must come and see me, and bring Minnie for Herbert to play with; he is so fond of her."

“Thank you. I hope I shall be able to come

soon."

But

"I must leave you now, for I am in haste. will you tell me what church you will attend tomorrow? I hear ours is closed for repairs."

"Langton, I think, if the day is fine."

Then may I meet you at the lodge, and you there?"

go with

“Oh! I should be very glad if you would do so,” replied Ethel, pleasure sparkling in her eye.

Ada expressed her thanks warmly, and they parted.

CHAPTER X.

"Christ died for all; but in that general debt
He bled to cancel, dost not thou partake?
Is thine, too, blotted out? Oh, do not set
Upon a doubtful issue such a stake!
Each faculty of soul and sense awake;
Trust not a general truth, which may be vain

To thee; but rather, for thy Saviour's sake,
And for thine own, some evidence attain,
For thee indeed he died; for thee hath risen again."

B. BARTON.

"He called Philosophy, and with his heart
Reasoned. He called religion, too, but called
Reluctantly, and therefore was not heard.
Ashamed to be o'er-matched by earthly woe,
He sought, and sought, with eye that dimmed apace,
To find some avenue to light, some place

On which to rest a hope, but sought in vain."

POLLOK.

ETHEL prevailed on Harry next morning to accompany her to Langton. Laura was not down-stairs when they set out, and Mr. Woodville seldom went to a place of worship, so that her brother was her only companion he made several good-humoured grumblings about being a victim, but submitted quietly when he heard Ada Raymond was to accompany him; for his boyish admiration had been considerably attracted by the tall, graceful figure, and beautiful eyes of his sister's friend. Ada met them at the lodge,

and to Ethel's surprise Raymond was with her. Ada walked on with Ethel, as she had much she wished to speak about, while Raymond won Harry's esteem by conversing in that easy, familiar style, which he would use to an equal, or one of his own age.

Mr. Bevan took the service at Langton that morning. He was a very excellent young man, thoroughly devoted to his work, but neither eloquent nor showy, and, consequently, not a preacher likely to attract worldly people. But his doctrine was sound, and his sermons earnest and faithful; so that where a desire existed to profit by them, they were most valuable to the hearer. Ethel could not fail to observe with regret Raymond's utter indifference to the service. He held a prayer-book in his hand during the first part of the time; but as soon as they knelt down he closed the book, and took no further notice of the prayers, while his thoughts were evidently far from the solemn duties in which he was professedly engaged. During the service Ethel felt, rather than saw, that his dark piercing eye was riveted upon her from the opposite side of the square pew, and she found it difficult to keep her attention fixed on the preacher. The service over, Raymond felt considerably relieved, and drew a long breath of satisfaction to think that he had now completed his self-denial, and could again be in Ethel's society without anything to interfere with his enjoyment.

"Will you allow me to accompany you?" he said, coming forward eagerly to Ethel's side, when they left the church.

Ethel had turned to look at her mother's grave. "Would you like to remain longer?" he inquired, with the thoughtfulness so habitual to him.

Ethel thanked him for his consideration; but expressed a wish to proceed at once, seeing Ada and Harry had walked on before them. Somehow there was a pleasing thought stole into Ethel's heart in finding herself Raymond's companion-a dangerous pleasure, which made her heart beat quickly and a gleam of happiness shone into it, to which she had hitherto been a stranger. With ready tact Raymond guessed Ethel's feelings with regard to observing the Sabbath; little as he minded speaking his own words on that holy day he considered his companion's feelings, and resolved to lead the conversation into a more serious vein than he usually indulged in.

"I suppose Mr. Bevan is a good man. But he is only a dry preacher after all; and really, such a manner as his, gives one a feeling of drowsiness and inattention during the service- - very hard to overcome."

"I believe some people do think his style rather heavy; but it grows upon you very much. I never notice the peculiarity now."

"I believe there is a difference between us, Miss Woodville; you enter into the substance of the sermon, I only care for the discourse as an oration, and listen as I would to a burst of eloquence of any kind."

"I am sorry to hear you say so. Perhaps, if you really gave your mind to the consideration of the subject you would think as I do."

It has grown

"But it does not interest me. wearisome-the same thing over and over again, the same doctrines, the same way; until I am quite out of patience with the preacher's prosy repetition."

"And what sort of change would you desire? What other method of salvation would you have