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"But never too late to mend,' you know. I will get you a book this afternoon, and I will keep the accounts while I am here; and you will get into the way by observing."

"I will try, as you wish me, because I want to do what is right. Ah, Ethel! I wish I had never”. Laura stopped-"I was going to speak harshly; I must not. But, dear sister, do think before you marry! The folly of an hour may be the cause of a lifetime of misery."

"Not in your case, dear Laura, I trust! A Christian knows little unhappiness in comparison with the worldling, in such a situation as yours. There is a holy calm in the heart, which God will give to those who ask it, to support his people in their hour of need. Besides, dear, look what a great many more comforts you have than some people! In every station of life, if we view it aright-whatever trials may arise for us there are always others we may find who are worse off than ourselves."

"I dare say it may be; but I cannot yet realise these things as you do, Ethel. I am not a Christian, like you."

"I hope you may never be like me in very many things, dear Laura. You little know the worldly anxieties, and distressing, unfaithful thoughts, to which I am subject."

"Will you forgive me for saying I feel almost glad to hear it? It gives me hope. I imagined Christians never had doubts and fears."

“Oh, Laura, dear, how mistaken you are! There is no one without them at times; the temptations of their own carnal nature, and of the evil one, will continue to assault them so long as they remain on earth. Some Christians do, I admit, seem to attain to an

extraordinary amount of holiness; but these persons are only the more deeply conscious of the imperfections which remain. The majority of them are continually battling with the world, the flesh, and the devil, and in subduing their evil propensities."

"When I was ill, before my baby was born, I thought I should like to read some memoirs, and then I should learn how people grew in grace. But all I read were so holy, so spotless, I quite gave up in despair; and it made me only more unhappy: they never seemed to do wrong, or if any little trifling error were committed (such as I thought nothing about) they mourned over it as if they had been guilty of the most heinous sin."

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"I have frequently experienced the same feeling in reading memoirs. I wish there were some written of less holy persons (if I may use the expression), because they would afford greater encouragement to those who are only just beginning the heavenly course. It is generally only those who have been celebrated for their piety whose lives have been written, therefore we need not be discouraged; and do not suppose that any one ever lived who did good, and sinned not.' Sometimes I am inclined to fear that the biographer is induced to suppress the faults and failings of the subject of his narrative, fearful lest anything should seem to detract from the holiness of the character. It is a great mistake, and does far more harm than good. I do not think it is in the power of every one to attain to extraordinary heights of holiness; nevertheless, every Christian should press on, and strive after the highest points, not with the ambitious desire of securing the best place in God's kingdom, but from the holiest motives-love to Christ for all he has done for them."

"Yes! I feel it is a higher, holier motive than any other, to do all for the sake of Christ. And you really think, Ethel, that though a Christian may have sins visible to all, he is still one of God's people?"

"Oh, yes! The sins of God's people are many and great; and of some few, the world would not 'take knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus;' they seem so imperfect, their faults so prominent: but nevertheless they may be true, earnest followers of the Lamb. I think it was Newton who said that we should meet many in heaven whom we never expected to see there, a great multitude which no man can number.' Do not let yourself be discouraged, dear Laura; only bear in mind, that though the Christian may have faults before the world, if he be sincere and earnest he will mourn deeply over his short-comings, and struggle manfully against his besetting sins, for that must ever be a characteristic of the true believer. He will not excuse himself because he is prone to fall into certain sins, but he will strive to watch and pray, lest he enter into temptation."

"Oh, dear Ethel! what a comfort it is to have you here with me, and for you to say that you are often tempted! I thought nothing could come amiss to you; you always seemed good."

"Ah, you little know all the rising feelings of anger, the desire for revenge, the uncontrolled pride, which has raged in my breast. I sinned in thought, whether I did in deed; and this is equally heinous in the sight of God, who looks at'the heart."

Laura was about to reply, when a loud ring at the street-door interrupted them.

CHAPTER XVI.

"Oh! let thy words be calm and kind!
In life so much of evil lies,

Whose power will darken o'er the mind,
And blight its gentler sympathies,
That never human lip or heart

In carelessness should fling the dart,
Which for a moment's space may rest,

Or rankle in another's breast."-MISS ACTON.

"WHO can it be?" exclaimed Laura, a flush of excitement rising to her cheeks. "Susan must be warned that I cannot see callers."

"I will see her," Ethel replied, and moved to the door; but Susan had preceded her, and already a tall, fine-looking man, of about thirty, stood in the hall. "Mrs. Thornhill in ?"

"Yes, sir; but missus can't see no one."

"But she'll see me, though. Hallo!"

He started as he saw Ethel advance to him, and retreated.

"I am sorry my sister is not well enough to receive visitors. She is only down-stairs to-day for the first time," Ethel said, quietly.

"I beg your pardon. Laura won't refuse me, I know. Shan't excite her. You don't know me, and I don't exactly know you; but that's no reason why we shouldn't. I'm John Thornhill, and I conclude you're Laura's sister."

Ethel bowed, and replied in the affirmative, and said she would speak to Laura. John advanced with her to the door, and entered the room after her.

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Oh, John, is it you? I'm very glad to see you.” "Don't move, pray," said John, as Laura attempted to rise. "Here's your sister, if I hadn't kept up to her she would have placed a barricade between us. But I knew how to proceed, Miss Woodville. I was sure Laura would see me, if you didn't prevent her," he said, laughing good-humouredly.

Ethel did too, and replied, she was innocent of any intention of keeping him away from Laura.

"Well, how are you? And how's George?"

"I am getting better, though I am very weak; and George is well, and gone to the barracks. Are you all well at home?"

"Only tolerable. My mother would never have kept clear of Barrington if she had been well. But her rheumatism has been very bad, so she sent me over instead to see how you were. We hadn't heard from George for a good while, and feared you might be worse."

"It was very kind of you to come, I am sure, and of Mrs. Thornhill to think of me."

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Nothing of the kind, Laura. I shouldn't have come if I hadn't liked it. Never do what I don't like. Best plan, isn't it, Miss Woodville ?"

"Scarcely, I should say."

"Well, we'll not dispute it; you may think as you like, you know. Never interfere with ladies' likes and dislikes."

"What will you have for luncheon, John? We don't dine until two."

"Glass of wine and biscuit, if you like."

Ethel rose, and left the room to see that Susan

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