CHAPTER II.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind.-1 COR. xiii. 4.

It was a lovely day, in the early part of the summer season, on which the widow set off to her new abode, after having gratefully thanked her kind uncle for the paternal care with which he had comforted and guided her, while she was under the deepest affliction for the loss of an affectionate and pious husband.

On arriving at the Hall, and enquiring for Miss Fortescue, she learned that the young lady was in the nursery with the children, anxiously waiting her arrival, as she had an engagement which she wished particularly to be at liberty to attend.

Mrs. Colton requested the footman to conduct her at once to the children's room, that Miss Fortescue might be immediately released from her charge, and no longer detained from her appointment. "I wish our

poor dear mistress was again among us," said John, as he brushed away a tear from his eye; "for it seems, somehow, all goes wrong since we parted from her; for it is very difficult to please Miss Fortescue: but, after all, I should not mind that," added the affectionate servant," but that it strikes me our pretty Miss Emma, who so strongly takes after the dear lady, her mother, is also ailing, and, we shall be forced to give her up also!"

What more honest John might have said. does not appear, but just at this part of his speech they arrived at the door of the room; and, having knocked twice, he opened the door, and introduced Mrs. Colton.

The apartment into which the widow was ushered was large and airy, having two good sized windows at one end, and a bookcase filled with books at the other. The furniture was particularly commodious and suitable to the room, for Mrs. Fortescue had taken a delight in making this apartment pleasant and comfortable to her children. There was a baby-house for the little girls on one side the fire-place, and a rocking-horse and divers toys, for the boys, on the other. There was also a sofa, and a round worktable under one of the windows, with a foot

stool; and Mrs. Colton afterwards learned that it was the place chosen by the mother for herself while yet she was spared as a blessing to her husband and her little ones.

A servant was dispensing tea and bread and butter to the children, and Miss Fortescue was reclining on the sofa, keeping her eye on what was passing, that all was conducted with due order and propriety. She was dressed with much taste and elegance, and would really have looked very pretty and pleasing, if it had not been for the air of self-confidence which marked her actions, and was expressed in her words.

She rose when Mrs. Colton was announced; and, calling the children to her side, introduced them to their future governess. "The eldest boy, William," said the young lady, "is now at school, but, as the Midsummer holidays are approaching, will shortly be for a time added to your cares. This, my dear Madam, is Emma; and I trust you will be able to do more with her, to render her a fit member of society, than I have found in my power. This little lady is called Caroline, and the one beside her is my namesake, Isabella Jemima; and here is my little beauty, Alice,-my wee Aly, as I always

call her, and her constant attendant, Master Robert, who is about two years her senior."

Mrs. Colton had scarcely time to turn from one young face to another; still, from a transitory glance, she was much pleased with the countenance of Emma, and there was something so interesting and attractive in the air of the child, that she felt her heart drawn out towards her at once. Caroline and Jemima, (for the little girl was usually called by her second name,) were good-natured blooming girls; but the widow's attention was strongly arrested by the infantine beauty of the " wee Aly." Her fixed gaze caused the little one to blush; and lifting up her arm, the child placed it across her fair brow, thinking that it would conceal her lovely face. Alice had most luxuriant golden hair, which curled naturally over her forehead; her eyes were soft and blue, and her ruby lips were beautifully arched. The excessive fairness of her complexion was set off to greater advantage by her sable dress, which told a tale of sorrow yet unfelt by the blooming infant. "Is she not lovely?" asked the partial aunt; "is she not beautiful?-I would give worlds to have her painted as she

stands, with her dimpled arm across her face, like a little seraph from another world."

Master Robert, on hearing this praise from his aunt, approached his pet-sister; and, putting his arm around her neck, he looked up into the face of Mrs. Colton, and enquired, in simple accents," Is not little Aly very pretty, Ma'am?"

The widow scarce knew how to reply; for though when children are particularly beautiful, it is impossible to conceal it from them altogether, yet she did not approve of such an open avowal: she therefore stooped, and, kissing both brother and sister, said, “I shall love your little Aly very much, my dear, whether she is pretty or not."

Miss Fortescue now entreated Mrs. Colton would excuse her, as it was time to depart; and, bidding Emma see that the lady had all she desired, she rang the bell for the carriage to be brought round to the door, and in a few minutes left the apartment.

Mrs. Colton had remarked the silent tear in the eye of Emma when introduced by her aunt, and wishing to gain the love of the children, she determined on asking them such questions as she thought would encourage them to talk to her unreservedly. For this