vant.

Mrs. Neville began to sink beneath the pressure of years and infirmity. Elizabeth was taken into the house of Mr. Stanley as a serMargaret remained to comfort and assist her grandmother, who was often so ill, as to be unable to do any thing that required labour. Just at this time the kind sustaining care which had hitherto supported and upheld her, now provided an asylum she little expected or hoped for. The lodge became vacant; and Mr. Stanley warmly recommended her to the steward of the estate. His recommendation, and her well-known good character proved successful; and Mrs. Neville was duly appointed to the duties of the office. These were simple, and easy of performance. There was a small stipend attached to it; and as her frugal habits enabled her to do with little, she thought it would be wrong in her to keep Margaret longer with her, as she might, though so young, be doing much better for herself in service. It was not without a struggle that Mrs. Neville had brought herself to consent to this; but having once seen it, as she thought, to be her duty to do so, she was deaf to all remonstrances to the contrary. To the expostula

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tions of Margaret, who was loth to quit her, she would reply, "No, my dear, you shall not waste your time in unnecessary attendance upon me. I shall do very well; my wants are few, and He who has supplied me all my life long, will not forsake me now." Mrs. Lawrence advised her not to part with her granddaughter, as her infirmities increased; but offered, if she still wished to send Margaret to service, to take her into her own household. This was most gratefully accepted; and now no feeling, merely personal, could avail to prevent her dear child from enjoying this advantage. She warmly expressed her thanks to Mrs. Lawrence for this additional act of kindness, and begged that she would receive Margaret as soon as she should be fixed at the lodge. This was accordingly done; and Margaret took up her residence with her excellent mistress. Here she had been often accustomed to learn what was proper in domestic concerns; she was therefore not quite new to the place.

Thus were the orphans situated in the families of their worthy benefactors, when an unexpected change took place in the views and

prospects of Elizabeth. To her unreflecting mind this change appeared trifling, as it regarded her future destiny-but its consequences were most important of these however the simple inexperienced girl never thought. Novelty presented most fascinating charms, and she willingly gave up her mind to its seductive influence. She had now been with Mrs. Stanley some time, and conducted herself entirely to the satisfaction of her master and mistress, when a visiter was received into the family-a lady, who was a particular friend of Mrs. Stanley's, but with whom she had had little intercourse since her marriage. Soon after her arrival, she expressed great approbation of Elizabeth. Her appearance pleased her; and scarcely waiting to discover what were the lights and shades of her character, mentioned to her friend her wish to have Elizabeth as an

attendant upon her children. Mrs. Stanley spoke of her in favourable terms; but gave no intimation either that she understood, or intended to comply with that lady's desire. When Mrs. Forbes perceived this, she spoke out more plainly, and, at last, succeeded in persuading Mrs. Stanley to put it to the option of

the girl, whether she would like to make the exchange. Though not at all pleased with the request, Mrs. Stanley could not but comply, and give Elizabeth the choice, as it was a matter in which she was so intimately concerned. The poor girl felt the most grateful attachment to her master and mistress, and would never have wished to leave their service; but she was young and thoughtless, and of a gay and lively temper. A desire to see more of the world than their village afforded, had now and then crossed her mind; but such an opportunity as the present she had never anticipated. She was delighted with her good fortune, and only wondered that her grandmother was not as much pleased as herself. After expatiating pretty largely upon her expected enjoyment, and her more enlarged opportunities of improvement, "And then only think," said she, "dear grandmother, what great wages I am to have the half will be fully as much as I shall want to spend; for they say every article of apparel is so very cheap in London. You cannot work as you used to do; and now there will be no occasion, as I shall be able to send you

sufficient to prevent the necessity of your exerting yourself at all."

"Ah, my dear child!" replied the good dame, 66 you now speak in the honest simplicity of an innocent heart; but the world, I fear, will teach you another lesson. Alas! I dread the influence it may have upon you."

"But," answered Elizabeth, "I need not be wicked because others are so, who, perhaps, have not enjoyed such advantages as I have indeed they never shall persuade me to do wrong, though they should try ever so much. I will always remember my religious duties, and fear God; and you know, dear grandmother, you have often told me, that is a sure way to be kept from evil.”

"Well, my child," replied the good woman, "I cannot determine in this case; it is your wish to go. I can never cease to pray for you; and I hope you will never forget, or neglect to pray for yourself. And remember that if, after all, you are drawn into the fatal snares of an ungodly world--if, when sinners entice,' (as entice they will,) you should become their prey, O think what would be my affliction ! F*

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