one dear to our hearts; but how much are the pangs of regret alleviated by the knowledge that the sure, but humble hope of everlasting life, has cheered the last moment of the departing Chris tian! CHAPTER XV. OUR poor Alice! how shall I describe her heart-rending sorrow, or that acute anguish of mind, which overwhelmed her after the first stupefaction of grief. Her case was not a common one. Her mother had been so much to her, such an exciting motive for exertion-had called forth so many energies-was so dearly beloved-that, deprived of her, we cannot wonder at her sinking for a time into a state of extreme depression. Fatigue of body, as well as mental suffering, quite subdued her; and although, with a degree of calmness which almost alarmed those around her, she supported herself until the dreadful morning arrived, which deprived her of all that remained of her adored parentwhen all was over, no one motive left for exertion-when she no longer beheld those dear features which, even marbled by death, she still gazed upon with doating affection-then, indeed, did her strength fail her, and she was carried to the house of her kind friend Lady Gin a state afflicting to all beholders. A nervous fever was the consequence of all that she had undergone; and for some time it was apprehended that the re-union of the mother and child was not far distant. How acute during this interval were the feelings of Mr. Harcourt. Two victims to his infatuated conduct had already fallen. Was another to follow-the beautiful, the excellent being whom he had only lately learnt to prize? Was he to lose her, who he intended should be his atonement for all his folly-her upon whom he intended to lavish all that treasure which had been his stumbling-block? For almost the first time in his life, he fled for refuge to the only true source of comfort. ; He humbled himself before his God; and from that time he could date his first acquaintance with his Maker-from that hour, I rejoice to say, he daily improved in every Christian virtue; and before he left this world, became a sincere and pious disciple of that Saviour, who came into this world to call sinners to repent ance. Long and severely did Alice suffer ; and only by slow degrees did she evince symptoms of recovery. But it was not ordained that she should die. She was spared to be an ornament to society, to throw fresh lustre on the name of Christian. Lady G, who most zealously took the place of a mother towards her, endeavoured to comfort her in every way; but found no means so effectual as recalling to her mind the perfections of Mrs. Seymour, her angelic resignation under all the afflictions which she endured, and her complete reliance upon the justice and mercy of God. She reminded her how often her mother had implored her to moderate her grief for her loss. " And, my dear Alice," repeated this excellent woman, "if it is permitted to the blessed dead to look upon those whom they have left in this world, would it not prove to her your obedience to her will, your dutiful affection to her memory, if she saw you struggling to obtain that composure, for which you ought to pray unceasingly. Would you selfishly wish to recall your mother back to this world of suffering, when you have every reason to suppose her blessed in heaven? Why do you weep so bitterly? You have certainly lost your excellent mother; but she whose happiness was your only aim, for whom you would have sacrificed |