Joy, tempered by exquisite sorrow, now animated the heart of Cornelius; he trusted his task was about to be crowned with success. Turning to the woman, he told her he wished to see her mistress; but the creature, faithful to her trust, repelled his advances, and prepared to depart. "Listen," said Cornelius: "do I look like one who would injure your precious mistress? But I had forgotten a weightier spell." Uncounted gold now rolled into the withered hand; and as the chink fell on her palsied ear, the aged crone mumbled out, "Ah, I do not think you would hurt my young mistress." They would have taken her into the carriage, but the poor soul would have failed to recognise her way; she could only show it, and that by going on foot. They followed her devious steps, till at length they reached a spot in the "Liberties." A court, paddled into mud, lay before a ruined dwelling. The paling had long disappeared, but a stunted poplar still withstood the sickly influences of the place. A tottering stair gave difficult access. Cornelius and his sister ascended to the topmost landing. Here the old woman paused, and, after some hesitation, knocked; the door was forthwith opened, and she went in. "For the sake of the Mother of God, sweet mistress, blame me not. Did not my child that is gone carry you at her breast? Would I do wrong by you-you alone of all the world?" These words were uttered as if in reply to an exclamation which anguish alone could have extorted. "Alas! what have you done, thus to expose me to the gaze of a pitiless world?" Then, as if checking itself, that thrilling voice again uttered "Thou, poor old faithful Teresa, forgive my impatience; dry up thy tears. Oh, gracious heaven, I know not what I say! Hark, he calls! Dearest little brother, I come, I come.” Cornelius breathed short and quick; his heart-strings were wrung. He stood irresolute; but his sister, with a woman's quick instincts, penetrated at once into the dreary abode. That tearful eye, that face so full of sympathy, spoke volumes of comfort to the suffering Cecilia. "Oh! if he only do not die," she exclaimed; while tear-drops, that would not be stayed, burst through her long white fingers. The young women conferred in low but earnest tones; peace and confidence were at length restored to their bosoms. The dear child, wrapped in one of Cornelia's shawls, was conveyed to the carriage. Cecilia took her place beside him; and soon they arrived at a dwelling replete with every luxury - strange contrast to the rude shelter they had for ever left. No one suffered from this act of devotion. With change of air and generous sustenance the little patient recovered quickly and well, while the memory of the past became as a troubled dream. Cecilia herself began to taste the blessed fruits of tranquillity and peace. The stern energy which had supported her gave way to gentler impulses. The terrible ordeal was past, leaving her unscathed, heart whole, as in her earliest prime. Yet she should not forget those with whom her lot for a time had been cast. What, indeed, of aged men, of women, passing the residue of earth's existence in darkling gloom-tender infancy tasting life's miseries ere the bud had well opened to the sun? But Cecilia was wise, she was good; and piously ministered to the wants of the destitute; ere she became the wife of Cornelius, then and after, all her life long. THE POOR STUDENT. our THIS passion well over, I resumed my pleasant communings with Cornelius. They comprised those topics so profitable between friends hopes, joys, fears, now and again. What life – whither, ah, whither away; what sin, where our safety, our spiritual safety, lay; wherefore crime, and poverty, with man's sad wanderings after unrealised good and more especially, the the soul's morrow when life, and hope, and promise, and performance, should be one ! morrow I had been arranging some papers. One of these, a packet tied with a faded riband, and labelled "The Poor Student," Cornelius happened to displace. "That," said I, as he gazed inquiringly, concerns two true hearts as ever throbbed in human bosom. I had proposed to |