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cargo, Murdoch put forth his hand, and grasping Godfrey's, exclaimed:

"Father! (I now address you by that sacred appellation)-my parents died in my infancy, I remember not the affectionate accents of the parental tongue-You have given me to link her destiny with mine, your first-born, one of the greatest treasures of your heart. It shall be my constant endeavour to evince that your confidence has not been misplaced. A dauntless hero once addressed you by that tender term—he is gone-he was my friend-my all but brother; your days are verging into the yellow leaf, and need a comforter-I am now your son!" then turning to Mrs. De Bohun, “and you are my mother!"

Godfrey and Mrs. De Bohun felt utterly overcome at this affectionate declaration of one who was now so nearly united to them, each shed a fleeting tear, and though the chastisement of heaven had of late been severely dispensed, they felt that better days were assuredly coming.

It would be something of a work of supererogation here to describe that joyfulness which beamed on all at Griffstaye. The reader can doubtless imagine the wit and hilarity which enlivened the breakfast table, how the sisters would address Kate as Mrs. Douglas, how Godfrey would tell tales of his wedding day-what harmless jests the simple-hearted divine from time to time would make, and what blushing and tittering there were amongst the girls when the finely-sectioned pieces of bridecake were put through the ring to bring the dreamy apparitions of future husbands to their pillows, and then afterwards the lashing-to of sundry well-corded packages to the awaiting yellow chaise! But all these associations can by most be vividly pictured.

An anxious moment was about to come, when Katherine was to depart with her affianced. How holy and tender was that kiss of affection which each sister gave to her whom they so devotedly loved, how fervent the embrace of the father, and who could describe those forcible and sacred feelings

which impulsated in Mrs. De Bohun's bosom, as, in the farewell, she clasped her daughter to her heart. The four greys stood in readiness, Simon held open the door, and as the happy pair ascended the steps of the vehicle each shook the old domestic's hand, every inmate rushed out to take a last look, Godfrey's lips quivered, several shed some hurrying drops, the clergyman uttered a benediction, whips cracked, wheels revolved, the wedded couple were borne quickly away, and poor old Simon lachrymally again and again declared they were a "splendacious pair."

The incumbent of the little mountain church and Murdoch's friend remained to dinner, and this day was to all a day of unalloyed happiness.

In the following chapter it will be desirable to return to other individuals mentioned in the narrative.

CHAPTER IX.

"Good Lamb the Curate, much approved,

Indeed by all his flock beloved."

PETER PINDAR.

"Flying turkeys gobble,

Fowls cackle, screaming geese, with stretch'd wing, hobble;

Dire death his horse's hoofs to ducklings deal

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IT hath been said that in the anticipation of some imagined good consists half the pleasure. It is no uncommon thing for men to raise within themselves visions of happiness, and unremittingly essay to realize them -aye, even at the cost of a life of exertion ; and when they have reached the goal of their desires, how much of dissatisfaction

and disappointment are mixed up with the treasure on which the heart hath so long been fixed. Human reasoning is taught, by experience, that with all things of earth, there is a dark as well as a sunny side, and that even with the fairest conditions of humanity, there are associations which negative unalloyed enjoyment. To regard such facts otherwise than as blessings would be to renounce those salutary and corrective influences, so necessary for our moral discipline, and to win us to virtue, If in this world those imaginary perfectabilities could be found, after which the soul pants, the considerations of the future would be more, than is even now the case, forgotten, and by our nature we should be wedded by still closer union with the external realities by which we are surrounded, and which absorb so much of our attention. It is in the afflictive trials of hopes unfulfilled, in the blightings of promise, and in the chagrin and vexation consequent on the non-realization of darling expectancies, that the mind becomes improved and chastened, by such that the better

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