unpacking in good earnest. My clothes were speedily placed in my pretty chest of drawers. I had reserved the arrangement of my books till the end, and having unlocked the box which contained them, discovered that my small set of shelves had not been transferred to my new apartment. I was going in search of them, when I heard my father's voice calling, "Caroline, Caroline!" I ran down stairs.

"My dear," said he, “in a short time I must go to visit a sick person who resides near our kind friend, Mrs. Turner. I shall be glad of your company as far as her house, where I will call for you on my return."

"But, papa, I am particularly engaged this morning. I have not yet finished unpacking, and should like to arrange my books. Pray excuse me."

"Certainly, for this time," he replied. "I trust, however, that you will make a point of walking out regularly every fine day."

Somewhat disconcerted by this address, I hurried in search of my shelves. They were not in their accustomed place, but from the nail on which they had hung, there now depended a profile of my eldest brother. It was only a black miniature, but highly valued in the absence of the original. I next determined to apply to my mother, whom I found in the kitchen, busily engaged in household matters.

"Ah, Caroline," she exclaimed on my entrance, "you are come most opportunely. I was wishing for your assistance. You can label these jars of preserves which I am covering." “Oh, mamma, do not ask me, I am so very busy—I have only just run to inquire where I can find my book-shelves." "You cannot find them, my dear. Philip said they would suit him exactly, so I put them in his book-box. A shelf in the study will answer your purpose as you are not returning to school, and there can be no further occasion to separate your books from the rest."

"I beg your pardon, mamma, I think there is more occasion than before."

"Indeed ?"

"Yes; for I intend to study in my own room. I cannot do any good if I am not quite alone."

"Did you study quite alone at the Manor House ?"

No, certainly; but a private room would have been a great advantage even there."

“I am not sure of that, Caroline. There is, however, one study to which it is necessary you should devote a part of every day, that I fear you may have overlooked."

"The study of domestic economy. And since you imagine a set of shelves necessary before you can arrange your books, and attend to more intellectual pursuits, I advise you to commence at once, by assisting me to label these jars."

My mother spoke pleasantly, but I perceived she was in earnest. With no very good grace I complied, and presently resumed the conversation thus

"As I am intended for a governess, and not for a housekeeper, I do not see the necessity for spending my time in doing such things as these."

"You will shortly be a woman," replied my mother, "and it is essential that every woman (in the middle class especially) should be practically acquainted with domestic concerns."

"Nay, there you are mistaken, mamma: neither Mrs. Dalton nor her acquaintances, trouble themselves about such things; on the contrary, they consider them low, vulgar, and degrading, fit only for servants and dependents. I know they would ridicule your notions, and think my present employment anything but lady-like."

"They are greatly to be pitied, if such really be the case," replied my mother. "It is sad indeed when women leave the station assigned to them by Providence, and become ashamed of fulfilling those duties which are expressly appointed them in the revealed Word of God. Compare their occupations with those ascribed to a virtuous woman in Proverbs xxxi, which chapter I hope you will carefully read. Or contrast their conduct with the rules laid down in the New Testament, especially in the first epistle to Timothy."

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Mamma, you named women in the middle class. I suppose you except those who are very rich."

"I am unwilling to except any," returned my mother, "because I believe it to be a serious evil when women, in any

station, despise useful and feminine occupations. It proves that their own standard of female excellence is low, falling short of the requirements of the gospel; and such being the case, they cannot exert that holy and happy influence upon their families, relatives, and dependents, which constitutes one of the most important talents intrusted to them, and the neglect of which seldom fails to bring its own punishment, even in this life." "How so, mamma ?"

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By the indifference, ingratitude, or what is still worse, the misconduct of those with whom their earthly interest and happiness are inseparably connected. For example, if fathers, sons, or brothers, prove unkind, or conduct themselves ill, wives mothers, and sisters, must suffer, be they ever so frivolous."

I was silent, my thoughts reverted to my London visit. I recollected the frequent absence of Mr. Dalton; Arthur's unsubdued temper, and Elizabeth's taste for gaiety. I wondered whether Mrs. Dalton was really happy-perhaps not-for I had noticed her pale, worn, anxious expression, so unlike that of my mother, and I felt the truth of the text, "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (1 Tim. iv. 8.)

My mother appeared pleased by the slight sacrifice I had made to her wishes, and promised to replace my shelves with a neat little book-case, painted to match the furniture in my bed-room. She also presented me with a large work-basket, telling me that I should have to do the principal part of the plain sewing for the family. This basket contained half a dozen shirts ready cut out. I was informed they were for my brother Edward, and were required in haste.

"But if I am to walk out every day,—to assist in household business, and to do so much work, what is to become of my studies ?"

"Get as much time as you can before breakfast; in addition to which you will have two hours at your own disposal in the forenoon," was the answer.

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'Only two hours!" I repeated with a sigh.

"Prove that you can make a good use of two hours:" said my mother, "it will then be time enough to sigh for more."

"Only two hours!" I ejaculated, as I opened my box of

books on the following day. The clock had just struck eleven. We dined punctually at a quarter past one. My small allotment of time could not be exceeded.

"I have not a moment to lose," I said to myself, as I turned over my books, in search of the one I had decided to read. Whilst thus engaged, I discovered a parcel neatly tied up with blue ribbon, and addressed to me in Miss Selwyn's hand writing. She had assisted in packing my things, and had taken this opportunity of secreting a parting gift from herself. I hastily removed the envelope, and found two neat looking volumes. One of them contained several interesting stories: the other, which was elegantly bound, proved to be a collection of sacred poetry. After devoting a few minutes to grateful reminiscences of my young friend, I began to read the former, nor did I desist till the bell announced that it was time to prepare for dinner; I started at the sound, felt vexed and annoyed, and resolved to do better on the morrow. I should not meet with agreeable surprises every day, and the temptation would not recur.

The next day came, and the next, but my studies progressed slowly. I am ashamed to confess, that the time which should have been devoted to serious pursuits, was generally spent in desultory reading; or when amusing books failed, in the still more dangerous indulgence of day-dreams. "Castle building" had always been a favorite amusement with me-now it became increasingly so. I have reason to be thankful for the wise restriction which my parents had imposed upon me, for had my time been wholly at my own disposal, I fear it would have been wholly mispent. Each day found me more disinclined for serious application, and I now experienced how surely bad habits strengthen by indulgence. Thus I went on for some weeks, repenting and stifling, or at least endeavoring to stifle, my selfreproaches, by renewed resolutions of amendment. I need scarcely add, that my devotions were as transient as my fits of application. On the subject of religion I also attempted to satisfy my conscience with good intentions. I had occasionally strong convictions, and at such times determined to study my Bible more diligently, pray more earnestly, and attend regularly to the business of self-examination; but I had not as yet felt my

utter helplessness-renounced self, and gone just as I was to the Saviour. My religious emotions were rather the results of fear than the drawings of love, and I cared not to cherish them. I knew that the absence of right feelings towards God was an evidence of my natural alienation of heart from Him; but even this knowledge proved insufficient to make me in earnest to obtain the assistance of the Holy Spirit, by whose agency alone the blessing of a renewed nature can be obtained. Being dissatisfied with myself I endeavored to throw a share of the blame on the circumstances in which I was placed. I fancied myself solitary, and longed for a friend of my own age. If Anna Selwyn or some equally congenial companion were near me, I should have some inducement to improve myself.

"There are several young ladies amongst your father's parishioners,” observed my mother, to whom I had confided my feelings on the subject: "the Misses Roper, for instance." "They are not in the least intellectual."

"Miss Turner ?"

"She has so many sisters of her own, that she has no leisure. Besides, she is too matter-of-fact, I do like a little sentiment." "Miss Cooke ?"

"A mere walking piano. We should have nothing in common." My mother paused, and seemed to reflect.

"It is Lo use pondering, mamma; there are grown-up daughters only in the families you have named, and they are not at all suited to my taste."

"I am sorry for it, my dear," she replied gravely.

A day or two after this conversation, I had occasion to go to the town to make purchases, and on my way thither noticed two ladies who were walking a little in advance of me. One of these I judged to be young, and was attracted by the elegance of her appearance, but especially by her close bonnet of pale primrose silk which just hit my fancy. On arriving in the market place I lost sight of the strangers, but had scarcely settled myself at the counter of a draper's shop, when they entered. I had now an excellent opportunity of scanning the face under the pretty bonnet. It was that of an interesting looking girl, about my own age. I thought that she regarded me with attention, and pointed me out to her companion.