I died, I should have become an angel in heaven --and such is the opinion respecting themselves, of all my former companions, and on no better grounds than I had.

Mr. Ross. But now that God has opened your eyes to see that you are unfit by nature to enter heaven, and led you to that refuge he has appointed for sinners, may you not confidently trust that he will not leave his work unfinished?

EDW. I see a carriage driving towards the house. It must be Charles, I shall go and meet him, and bring him here.

[Exit. Mrs. ABER. Let us all go and welcome him. You will allow me, Mr. Ross, to introduce my nephew to you. I think you will be pleased

with him.

Mr. Ross. I shall be happy to be introduced to Mr. Ashton, but must delay that pleasure till

to-morrow.

ANNA. My brother promised us the pleasure of your company to close the evening.

Mr. Ross. I must beg you to excuse me my own little flock will be assembled. This hour I consider theirs. We do not prosper in heavenly things when I encroach upon it.

Mrs. ABER. We certainly must not interfere with your own family, Mr. Ross. I hope we shall see you early to-morrow.

Mr. Ross. I hope to have that pleasure, but must now say good-night; and may that heaven

ly Guardian who "slumbers not," be with us all till we meet again. Miss Gertrude, may I ask you to convey a message to your brother from me. (He speaks to her in a low voice, then enters the wood.)

Mrs. ABER. A secret, Gertrude?

GER. (Smiling.) It is for my brother's ears only.

ANNA. What a heavenly-minded man! Oh! how I long for the Sabbath, that I may hear him speak of heavenly things.

But now let

Mrs. ABER. He is indeed very pleasing, and has something holy in his manners. us join your brother and Charles. Edward alone.

Enter EDWARD.

Here comes

GER. Where is Charles? What is the matter? You look discomposed. Has any thing happened? (anxiously.)

EDW. No. But who do you think has arrived with Charles?

Mrs. ABER. Who?

EDW. Mr. Lornton.

Mrs. ABER. GER. and ANNA. Mr. Lornton! EDW. Yes, himself.

ANNA. How vexatious! What on earth has brought him?

EDW. I cannot tell, but Charles and he met

at the last stage, and as horses were not to be had for both carriages, they came together.

Mrs. ABER. Well, I certainly wish he had not come at present-but now, my dear children, remember you have to prove the sincerity and power of your religion. You know Mr. Lornton has always, at least, intended to be kind to you all; and I intreat you, do what you can to make his stay here agreeable to him. Some idea of duty to you has led him to take this long and fatiguing journey. You, Gertrude, I can depend upon. You have always loved your guardian.

GER. I really do love him, and think he has a great deal of feeling behind his cold stiff man

ners.

EDW. You love him, Gertrude, because you have never displeased him, and do not know the severity and contempt with which he finds fault.

GER. I have displeased him of late, Edward, and he has, in private, said many very severe things to me; yet he listened patiently to all I said in my defence, and seemed more vexed than angry, and anxious to understand and enter into my reasons for doing what appeared to him selfwilled and absurd.

ANNA. He has always had a favour for you; but Oh! those private conferences. How often I have wished he would give his lectures in

public.

How tremendous he looks when he says, "Miss Anna, I desire a few minutes' conversation with you."

EDW. I cannot say I love him, but I do respect him. But now we must really go to him.

GER. I have a message from Mr. Ross to you, Edward.

EDW. What?

GER. He hopes you will continue to act as the Christian head of your house, though its inmates have increased in number.

EDW. And Mr. Lornton there. (embarrassed.) My friend did not know he was come.

GER. He said, that drawing back after you had once begun, would have a bad effect on your servants and people-besides, (in a whisper) will you seem ashamed of your Master?

EDW. (with warmth.) No, were the whole world here.

FORENOON.

An Apartment in Arnavoir Castle, the windows of which open on the lawn.

Mr. LORNTON, Gertrude.

(A great many people are seen from the windows. Mr. Ross and Edward appear to be addressing them. Mr. Lornton paces up and down the roomy Gertrude watching his looks, and at times stealing a glance towards the window.)

Mr. LORN. I cannot believe, child, that it is really agreeable to you to remain here with me, when so much preaching over coarse Bibles, and twopenny tracts, is going on yonder.

GER. Were you with us, Sir, I should prefer being on the lawn.

Mr. LORN. I with you! Can you suppose I would countenance such preposterous folly? I used to think that, with all his faults, your