enough to disturb her rest considerably: and even her change of rooms could not ensure her peaceful dreams. While Alfred, in his north attic, watched the light in her window, and wondered if she slept, and prayed with all the fervour of his simple and glowing heart, that she might at least be blest, whether he shared the blessing, or no!

HE next day was Sunday: always kept with decency in Mr. Crawford's household; and indeed, wherever the Vicar's

authority extended. The family walked to church, and occupied one of the three square pews devoted to the "gentry." Margaret, who missing Alfred, could not resist enquiring after him from Nelson, was surprised to hear he was one of Mr. Leyden's assistants in the Sunday-school, and also occasional organist in the church. He officiated that morning, and the exquisite pathos with which he played the anthem, "I will arise," drew tears from Margaret's eyes. It soothed her spirit, and elevated her thoughts, and prepared her for the service that followed, and

which she now for the first time heard in an English country church.

The Vicar performed the whole; his mild solemnity and fervour communicated itself to the congregation: every thing was quiet, decent, orderly: the children who sang, had been selected from the rest by himself for their voices, and judiciously taught: the congregation joined, and the effect was touching; instead of being what it is in some parishes, a trial both to the nerves and patience. And Mr. Leyden's sermon, like every thing about him, showed where his heart was. Clear, forcible, searching, he probed every other heart to the core; and Margaret, unused to such preaching, actually trembled beneath the operation. He set her thoughts, her passions, her secret dominant motives, as plainly before her eyes as if he had been gifted with insight into the spirit's workings and held herself up to her own gaze in such a light, that she could have bowed her head to the ground with shame. Then he showed the true source of right and holy living;-how that the heart must by faith embrace the Cross, and be renewed by the Holy Spirit, and receiving from Him daily spiritual life, be enabled to run the Christian race with gladness and peace, looking with full assurance of hope to the end. Then he spoke of the joys of Heaven, of those glorious and everlasting mansions which the Saviour has prepared,-where holiness, and gladness, and glory, and love, tread the eternal round of

:

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praise-which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor man's heart conceived, nor man's merit won; which God hath prepared for them who love Him. And as he spoke, the brief wintry sun shot in through the old Gothic window, and streamed on his white and venerable head, and told it was from his native atmosphere, and that he spake that he did know, and testified that he had seen.

There was a collection made for the poor that day during the reading of the Offertory: Margaret knew of this before, and was prepared; and while she appeared to be dropping silver into the covered box, slipped in a small packet,-which, when the Vicar opened, he found to contain a fifty-pound note. On the enclosure was written, "A trespass offering for the sin of ignorance:" and beneath, "It is earnestly requested that no enquiry may be made." The Vicar took two or three pinches of snuff over this, in his secret ponderings on the mystery: however, whatever he thought, he told nobody, but joyfully distributed the welcome supply, which made many a heart glad that might have been heavy enough without.

Margaret joined Mary after the service, and finding her engaged in her Sunday duties, could not refrain from offering her assistance. Miss Leyden, who always took people at their word, accepted it with thanks, and told her it would be a great help if she would go and read for half an hour to old Dame Bernard. "She expects it on Sunday afternoon," said she," and I have so much

to do in the school to-day, I shall be very much pressed for time." Miss Armadale did not half like paying this visit; she felt rather afraid of the old woman since her last interview; however, she had offered, and her new resolutions were fresh in her mind; so, after a hasty luncheon at the vicarage, she went her way.

"Who comes there?" said the old woman, who was alone when she entered," I have heard that step before."

"Miss Mary's friend Esther," said Margaret, taking her hand," she is very busy in the school this afternoon; so I am come, therefore, to read to you instead, you will allow me."

if

"Then you're a kind young lady, my dear, to give up your blessed Sabbath rest to come and read to a poor dark creature, like me. Sit down, my dear, and let me have the Psalms and Lessons. It's the 4th Sunday in Advent, you know."

Margaret read as she was desired; and deeply impressed with what she had heard that morning, as well as the solemnity of her own position as a Scripture reader, her manner was so fervent and feeling, the sensitive ear of the blind woman thrilled with plea

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My child," she said, when Margaret stopped, your voice is like a very lovely song, of one who can play well on an instrument: it is as sweet as some of the psalm notes on the big organ in church; 'tis a long time since I heard any sound I liked so well. I

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