With a heart that had at all times pulsated to virtue, with a steadfast assurance in the protection of Providence, she felt convinced, that the evil days would pass away, and as they travelled on, some undiscovered path would open out and conduct to better scenes. In those chastenings, which had of late pressed so hardly upon them, she beheld the issues of a greater good, and with humility bowed to drink at the cup dashed with the wormwood of reverses. The partner of her life never, until now, had such ample proofs of those sterling qualities which he always knew she possessed, but only needed the hour of trial for their more manifest development. These virtues in his spouse, like unto certain spices of Araby, gave out a sweeter perfume of goodness when broken and crushed, or as the rainbow hues shone brighter amongst renewing storms!

When they had become somewhat settled, a number of little improvements were devised. The elder daughters diligently sought to make every apartment as comfortable as circumstances would allow. They made ornaments,

hung up the pictures, painted, papered, and in numerous ways displayed simple ingenuity and refined taste. Poor old Simon was in all his doings actuated by a zeal equalling any in the family, to render Griffstaye a place compatible with the standing and high character of the occupants. He laboured assiduously in the garden, and soon rendered it the beau ideal of trim order and neatness. He sowed seeds, pruned the trees, re-gravelled the walks, built a rustic summer-house, and made a declaration, that if he were spared another year, it should look nothing short of splendacious! It was quite wonderful to the family, as well as to old Simon, how, when people are put to their wits'-endobliged to do with narrow means,—how contriving and ingenious they become, and how much can be shaped out of a little! The spirit of industry and determination to put the best aspect on matters dispelled much of that sombreness which would otherwise have settled beneath their roof, and in the course of time, the house was so clean and comfortable internally, and everything with

out so orderly and well arranged, that it was in every point of view a respectable residence.

One member of the family, incidentally spoken of, merits a moment's consideration, and that is, Katherine De Bohun. It is the common opinion, founded on common observation, that first children are seldom stars of the first magnitude. With respect to the person in question, it was otherwise, and nature in her appeared to have made an exception. During Kate's early years, Mrs. De Bohun often jestingly declared, she had a more awkward, heedless, tomboy than any mother in the county. Often did she chide her first-born, and pass smart strictures on her ungainly ways, but all this was of no use, Kate remained untamed and untameable, and romped and frolicked about regardless of all maternal monitions, and only bent on deeds of daring, or delighting in mischievous fun. At fifteen, when some at that age are loquacious, prim, precocious little women, miniature models of feminine beauty, Miss De Bohun was still, in all her actions and appear

ance, a child, roving over hill, dale, and moorland, merry and thoughtless as the breezes which wooed the thick tresses that waved around her swan-like neck. Frequently did her mother descant on her unprepossessing figure, and essay to make her more thoughtful and dignified, but in vain; yet that mother well knew that her innocent heart was one of the holiest, purest, of mortal things. Her long limbs, tall and unfurnished frame, huge square chin and large nose, constituted anything but effeminate beauty, and rendered her as she really was, at first sight, an untaking girl. But on a narrower scrutiny, the discerning judge beheld the unequivocal characteristic of great force of character, and a power of parts that only needed time for their development. Those lustrous eyes, that wide and merry mouth, which played with all the quick conceptions of a brilliant fancy, those prominent eye-brows, and swelling temples, were attributes of no common kind, and presaged a superiority that would one day impress the most cursory observers.

Three summers passed away, and a change had then come over Katherine absolute and complete. She was no longer a child, and had put away childish things. A mind hitherto unstable and volatile, had subsided into a consistent, sober reflectiveness, in scarcely a feature resembling what it had been. The uncomely frame had now become full and rounded into the softest lines; the limbs turned and symetrical as statue perfection, and her step and mien were graceful as the first blush of summer morning, blended with a certain majesty of deportment that ever commanded respect. Her mental endowments had also undergone a marvellous mutation, and appeared as if subdued by a slight constitutional despondency. Often impelled by some strange fancy, she would steal in solitude away to listen in the dark woodlands to the wild-dove's plaintive note, to gather the uncultured flowers, or musing sit by rippling brook or dashing water-fall, like Numa at the fountain of Egeria. If with mankind and the busier world she had held little or no communion, her eager soul