moment's reflection, she determined to be governed by the wishes of her mother, and sat attempting to sew, until he entered the room and seated himself near her.

Both were silent for a time. At length, Rebecca, addressing the old gentleman, while her voice was nearly choked with emotion, told him what she had done, and implored him to regard her favorably if he could. Do not refuse to grant me your forgiveness, dear father,' said she, 'for you know not how strongly I was tempted to disregard your authority.'

While saying this, she had not sufficient courage to raise her eyes from the floor. Her father remained silent several minutes, being well nigh overwhelmed with disappointment and rage; at the expiration of which time he said in a stern voice to Rebecca, Leave my presence, and dare not to see my face again, unless I send for you; ungrateful, unnatural child, thus to requite a doting parent!'

6

She instantly obeyed, with sensations that cannot be described, and retired to her chamber. Mr. Dunbar was incited to a feeling of revenge towards his daughter, -Yes,' said he mentally, 'I will punish her for this contempt of my wishes. She shall know what it is to repent of her conduct.'

The temper of this person, though far from being good, was not hasty. He could not easily forget an affront; but pondered it in his mind, until it increased in his fevered imagination, in magnitude ten fold.

It was some days after this conversation with his daughter, ere he decided upon the course he should pursue in regard to her. At one time, he thought he would banish

،

Then it

her forever from his house, and disinherit her. occurred to his mind, that if he did, she would be allowed to enjoy the society of Henry without reserve; and that idea was torture to his indignant feelings. No,' said he to himself, this conceited stripling shall not possess my child in peace. I will thwart his purposes as much as he has thwarted mine. Rebecca is not of age to act independent of me; and if she is married she shall continue to live at home; and if she gets an opportunity to spend many hours with this Henry, for one year at least, it will be more than I expect. Henry shall find me a match for him, at any rate.'

As may be supposed, Mrs. Dunbar was obliged to endure the bitter displeasure of her husband, on account of the part she had acted in respect to Rebecca; and he accused her of having been accessory to the imprudent step which had been taken. This lady bore his upbraidings patiently; she protested her ignorance of her daughter's intention of being privately united to Henry, yet it was of no avail. Frenzied with passion, he bade her be silent, and take to herself the blame she deserved.

Mrs. Dunbar had long been disciplined in the way of enduring what many Christians would have felt too hard to be borne; and she submitted, calmly, to the unkindness of this cruel husband and father. She sympathized deeply with Rebecca, on hearing the intention of her father; still, as far as herself was concerned, it was a cheering thought that it would still be in her power to comfort her sorrowing child, by those manifestations of maternal affection, which had already bound the heart of the grateful girl to her excellent mother.

Mrs. Dunbar felt that she was doing right whenever she could contrive to bring about an interview between Rebecca and Henry, and often did so. This young gentleman regarded her as a mother indeed, and cheerfully acquiesced in whatever she proposed, in regard to his young and amiable wife.

This young couple were advised to leave the place where the father of the lady resided, and settle quietly in some distant region; but neither of them were disposed to follow this advice. Henry was unwilling to separate Rebecca from her mother, who was at this time not only troubled on account of the situation of her beloved daughter, but was distressed on account of a painful separation from her only son, a separation which at best would be long and afflictive to a mother's anxious heart, for he had left her and sailed to a foreign port, where the vessel would be obliged to run the risk of being captured by the Turks, who were at that time hostile to the United States. 'No,' said Henry, ‘it would be cruel to deprive this excellent mother of a child like Rebecca, when she stands so much in need of her society. They can weep together, and thus soothe each other's feelings; besides, the health of Rebecca, I fear, is suffering from what she has already been called to endure, and she needs the tender care of her own dear mother.'

Henry judged rightly, in regard to the state of his wife's health. She was naturally frail, and the excitement of feeling she daily experienced, on account of her father's unkindness, rendered her health extremely delicate.

Days, weeks, and even months passed away, yet

Rebecca was not allowed to enter the presence of her offended parent. He gave orders for her to wait in her room until after he had taken his meals, so as to preclude the possibility of meeting her at table; and also forbade her entering the sitting-room, on any occasion.

No one believed that even old Mr. Dunbar was hardhearted enough to cherish these unhappy feelings long, without relenting; but, contrary to the expectations of all who felt interested for this lovely daughter, he remained, month after month, inexorable; and even went so far as to forbid her mother, and other near friends, to mention the name of Henry, or Rebecca, in his hearing.

6

Mrs. Dunbar felt that her only refuge, in this extremity, was in drawing near to a covenant God in prayer. Faith whispered, all hearts are in the hand of a wonder-working Providence, a benevolent Creator delights to work by means, and can turn, in a moment, the stoutest heart from indulgence in sin.'

As this excellent woman saw the bloom of health upon the cheek of Rebecca exchanged for paleness, she feared that a heavier stroke than any she as yet had felt, was to be inflicted. Every means that maternal love could suggest, were employed to avert the threatened evil; still, in spite of each fond endeavor, it seemed constantly ap proaching, with rapid strides.

Rebecca was aware of the solicitude her friends felt respecting her, and she also realized that the state of her health was critical; yet strove to appear cheerful, that her mother might take encouragement, and hope for better things than those which she anticipated. The idea was ever present to Rebecca that she was living under her

father's displeasure; and this reflection, like a canker-worm, was sapping the foundation of life. She several times addressed him by letter, yet as often her letters were returned unopened; and her heart sunk within her, as the dreadful thought of her situation was for a moment indulged.

She might justly have consoled herself with the reflection that she had done her duty, as far as she was able, in striving to conciliate her offended father, and that he was now the sole aggressor; but such a thought was not sufficient to solace the acuteness of her feelings. She wanted her parent to become reconciled to her; or, at least, to treat Henry and herself with common-place civility.

O, mother,' said she, one day, most earnestly, 'why does my father wish to destroy me! do tell me what he says to you about me!'

This was a hard question for a tender mother to answer, in the situation of Mrs. Dunbar, and she gave only an evasive reply; but her daughter was unsatisfied, and begged to know whether he had determined never again to see her. Her mother answered this inquiry by assur ing her that she did not know. 'I hope,' said she, 'however, that his feelings will ere long change, as it respects you and Henry.'

Rebecca was ignorant of the fact that her father would not consent to hear her spoken of; and her mother thought it best she should remain so. She turned her attention, as soon as practicable, to other subjects. Mrs. Dunbar had experienced too much sorrow, on account of differing in her views and feelings from her money-loving husband,