with a lively interest;-the image of a lonely fragile female, deserted by one who should be her best earthly protector and guide, rose to his mind, and his sensitive nature was deeply affected; he more than once during the conference kept drawing a faint parallel between his own case and that of Danville's mother; he remembered that he once had a brother, and that brother he had dearly loved, and that brother had deserted him, and gone away he knew not whither;—he might, like Frederick's father, have become vicious and cruel; - the last words of his parting letter came to his remembrance,-"I go forth into the untried scenes of life, and we know not what blighted hopes and an uncertain condition may engender in the mind." He also pondered the prejudicial principles which already had gained so powerful an influence upon his brother's spirit ere he quitted his society; and the thoughts these recollections occasioned him, made the merchant more melancholy than he "What (he thought) if it were he himself!-it was nineteen years ago that this man had first known Mr. Newton's sister,it was twenty years exactly since William had left his family," the coincidence was singular; he, however, maintained silence on the sub

was wont.

ject, and endeavouring to divert the train of his thoughts, joined freely in the general conversation.

After Mr. Newton had withdrawn, the merits of that gentleman were discussed; and with the exception that they deemed him rather too much the possessor of a pharisaical temper, the merchants considered him a very respectable person: he, in turn, on his departure from their society, felt strongly prepossessed in their favour, while with Woodville he was peculiarly delighted. He became anxious to know the father of so admirable a young man, and proposed making a tour into that part of the country in which Mr. Woodville resided. Edward, of course, could do naught, save respond to Mr. Newton's proposition, and furnished him with a letter of introduction to his father.

Edward had, in conjunction with the merchants, formed a very favourable opinion of Mr. Newton in a moral sense, but soon perceived that on truly religious points, he was sadly deficient; he had discovered a selfrighteous spirit in the man, and that pride, which is the result of such a spirit; he furnished to the mind of Woodville a practical illustration of the Apostolic words "These

going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God." He had also deemed him (and justly) one who was totally indifferent to the important subjects connected with Christ's visible Catholic Church; he had detected the symptoms of a lax character in the short intercourse he had held with him, and it was pretty clear to his mind that in matters concerning the adoption of right creeds, and the maintenance of true systems of religion, Mr. Newton resembled Gallio, and “cared for none of those things;" however, he felt gratified that he was about to visit in a sphere where he would find the exhibition of all these points prominently unfolded, and their exemplification uniformly sustained.

As soon as Mr. Alexander Compton became acquainted with Mr. Newton's intention to travel, he bethought himself of proposing to accompany him, which idea was strengthened in his mind by hearing of the route he was about to undertake; he at length resolved upon expressing his wish to join him, which was readily acceded to on the part of Mr. Newton; and as the merchant was desirous of seeing his young cousin, who was still domiciled at Merton Lodge, he proposed repairing

at once to the neighbourhood of Mr. Woodville's residence, and paying their first visit to the abode of Edward's father. This suggestion was also willingly received by Mr. Newton, and as early as it was practicable, they left London, and ere long arrived at the town of Orpington.

CHAPTER XVI.

"Since the dear hour that brought me to thy foot,
And cut up all my follies by the root,

I've only trusted in an arm divine,

And sought no other righteousness but thine."

COWPER.

By reason of circumstances which in the first instance could not have been anticipated, the trial of Hutchinson and Huntley, with their fellow-prisoners, was delayed to an unusual extent, and the anxiety and curiosity of the inhabitants of Orpington and the adjacent parts still remained unremoved and unsatisfied; while the wretched criminals continued to feel in their cells the horrors of that suspense which is tenfold more bitter than the dread reality itself. When, therefore, the merchant and his companion arrived at Orpington, the trial had not yet commenced.