"William calls

respecting the stolen cream-jug, for stolen she persisted in saying it was. me suspicious, Ma'am," she continued: " pray tell me, have I not reason to think evil of the master of the dancing-dolls?"

"It is not a light thing to suspect a person of being a thief, my love," replied Mrs. Colton; "and though I agree with you that the circumstances are extraordinary that the creamjug should disappear just at the time that the man was about the house, yet you must remember he was a stranger to that back walk; and if he had gone round in the way that William had told him, he could not have arrived there, without running, even so soon as your brother, and that would have betrayed him. However, dear Emma, we will speak to John, and as your brother is going to Kendal to-morrow, John had better go with him."

"But William will not like John to know what he is going for, Ma'am," said Emma.

"Then speak to your brother yourself, my dear,” replied Mrs. Colton, "and persuade him to take John with him to Kendal to-morrow."

"I am afraid William will not do it," said Emma, "for he laughs at me and calls me suspicious. But I will mention it to him."

"And now, my child," continued Mrs.

Colton, "let me ask you if your brother was not right when he called you suspicious?"

"I do not think I am more so than other people," replied Emma; "I have never been told so before."

"I do not mean to say that it is a particular failing of yours, my dear child," said Mrs. Colton, "but I wished just to point out to you, that since the fall of man, human beings are always thinking evil one of another; and if any one hears of any extraordinary or unusual action of a fellowcreature, his neighbours are immediately setting down that action to some evil motive; and though we cannot be too watchful over the motives of our own hearts, we should carefully abstain from judging and hastily condemning our fellow-creatures. In this

instance I do not blame you, for you have apparent reason on your side, and for Mary's sake it is necessary that this matter should be investigated; but take care, dear Emma, how you indulge such feelings, for charity, or love, 'thinketh no evil.'"

"I do not think I quite understand you, Ma'am," replied Emma, looking anxiously into her companion's face.

"Then I will give you an instance, in

which you shall look into your heart for the answer," continued Mrs. Colton. "When your beloved mamma punished you, Emma, what did you think was her reason for doing so?"

"Because she loved me," replied the child.

"Then, because you had a feeling of charity, or love, in your heart for your mamma, you were not angry with her for punishing you; and yet, at the same time, if your aunt had done the same thing, you would not have respected her motive; on the contrary, you would have thought her unkind, that is, you would have thought evil of her intentions."

Emma blushed; she felt the reproof, though she hardly understood all her governess said; but Mrs. Colton went on: 66 When your aunt took your sisters and brother to Kendal, leaving yourself at home, you fancied she did it because she did not love you; but when your papa left you with Mrs. Dockett, you did not think him unkind, though you were very sorry you did not go to Mr. Skey's."

"But papa did it because there was nobody that Alice knew so well as myself at the shop," said Emma.

66 And your aunt did it because she had no seat for you in the carriage, my dear," added

Mrs. Colton; 66 so you see that your affection, or love, for your papa made you submit to his wishes without thinking evil of his intentions, when it had not the same power over your feelings for your aunt. Think well of this, my dear child," continued Mrs. Colton; "and may the Holy Spirit of God bless you with that charity which thinketh no evil!"

They had now arrived at the church; and Mrs. Colton soon forgot, in the presence of her kind uncle Mr. Addison, all thoughts of her conversation with her pupil.

Mr. Addison was the last surviving relative of the widow; and when she remarked the flushed and heated expression of the good clergyman's countenance, and the vacant gaze of his usually benevolent eye, she feared and trembled for his health; and scarcely was the service over before she hastened to the parsonage to ask him herself if he felt unwell.

He replied with much cheerfulness, that he did not think any thing of consequence was the matter with him, and promised to send to the Hall for his niece to nurse him if he was taken worse; and smiling, and blessing her and the young Emma, he walked with them across the churchyard as they set out on their road home.

CHAPTER X.

Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.

MRS. COLTON and her young companion did not arrive at the Hall till the rest of the family had been at home some time before them. Mary was, therefore, at liberty to take off Emma's things immediately, so that she was soon able to join the others in the school-room. William was not there; and Emma again left them to seek her brother, whom she met with in the garden near the very bench where he said he had found the master of the dancing-dolls.

"I am going to Kendal to-morrow, and I will see and speak with the fellow, Emma," he said, "though I do not think your suspicions are correct.'

"I do not wish to think evil of any one, dear William," she replied humbly, "but let John go with you to-morrow. He will assist you in the discovery."