another human heart with the usury of that great treasure which belonged of right to God. Was she not sworn a faithful minister of Heaven? How could she account for that precious stewardship, the Heaven-lent life, if she used it not to gain a husband's soul for God?

In her guilessness and unsuspecting simplicity, she imagined that her first efforts were successful-her first betrothal sacrifice accepted, and the prayer of her passionate earthly love sealed and answered from on high. But if she was mistaken, it was not the result of hypocrisy and wilful deception; for Charles, who almost worshipped her stepfather, because she clung to him so fondly, could not fail to bless and to love the religion which she counted so precious, and which added so greatly to her happiness and her worth. It is an old, but, at the same time, a very note-worthy testimony to the paramount value and power of religion, that it is so often called to aid mortal love in its vain efforts after self-utterance. It becomes indispensable as the vehicle of that vehement love which breaks all the bounds of ordinary action, and defies ordinary speech-the love which dreams that it can never die—must rise, and thrive, and bloom evermore. But we need hardly insist on the danger of supposing this use of religion, however spontaneous and fervent, to be the adoption of Christianity which God has demanded from mankind. We would not have the pencillings of a heavenly tint erased from the sweet pictures of earthly love, for they may remain when other hues begin to fade; we do not urge suspicion on either in reference to the other's genuine pietyonly that each heart prove itself, and save itself from finding, when too late, that it has nursed a strong delusion and a lie! The elegant and touching reference in Charles's letters and conversation to the brevity of life-the glories of eternity-the love of the Father-the wonders of Redemption, were but stolen garlands flung on the pathway of his beloved; they were not his own-he had never made them such-he had never paid their price of tears and selfdenial, and a lowly suppliant faith. They had the semblance of that reality which they were intended to reciprocate, enough of beauty to deceive even one who was familiar with the

fruit unto holiness, and can we blame her, as she counted on the end being everlasting life? But even from this case, if there were no corroboration from a thousand others, we might safely say, that at no period of life is it so important to be vigilant against the tempter, who seizes upon the hours of delirium that he may substitute fancy and sentiment for solid and rational faith-the burnished brass, instead of the fine gold of the sanctuary. She could not doubt his love for her. Oh, no! That was beyond all fear; but, mixed up with this, and always in bright harmony, was the ardent seeming of a heavenly mind-could she doubt this? It bore the same warranty-it was regular, constant, passionate. If she doubted here, how could she trust his human love? Both came like blended strains upon one soft summer's breeze-her ear and her soul could make no distinction; if one was delusive, the whole would prove a dream.

"Here's that which is too weak to be a sinnerHonest water, which ne'er left man i' the mire." TIMON OF ATHENS.

"A most incomparable man, breathed, as it were, To an untirable and continuate goodness."

TIMON OF ATHENS.

Book Fourth.

THE SECRET,-A BLESSING.

RE-AWAKENING LIFE.

THE important preliminary arrangements were completed without loss of time, and as the matter of settlements was left almost entirely in Mr. Nathaniel's hands, there can be little doubt that he contrived to secure no unworthy set-off against the couple of thousands which he generously gave as a dower to his adopted daughter. Mr. Barton was still a wealthy man, and by his quiet mode of living at Arlton he was enabled to make some way towards repairing the serious waste of fortune which had marked the close of his earlier and happier years. To him it was only an addition to the value of money when he divided his substance with his children. All his thoughts were pre-occupied with the question-How can I promote and make sure the happiness of all I care for on earth? And even if he had been less solicitous for Charles, there would have been an equal indifference on the subject of property. From the first it had been rather a burden than a blessing, and he often gravely acknowledged his own unfitness for the management of pecuniary affairs. Besides, he had recently entered upon a new phase of life. His opinions had received a lively development in a new direction. Always remembering in his prayers and charitable deeds the poor of this world, he had kept alive with more than average vigour the impulses of a generous nature; but until within a few years he had been content