the trifling disappointment you have met with, in not visiting the parsonage this evening.

To-morrow we will again set out; when I am certain our satisfaction will be height. ened by the remembrance of the good we were fortunate enough to effect to-day.

The cousins often blushed, whilst Mrs. Stanly was speaking, at the thoughtlessness they had been guilty of; but, promising to be attentive to her instructions in future, received from her an affectionate kiss, and then left her to look for something to make baby linen for the unfortunate sufferer.

While they are thus employed, I will take the opportunity of describing more accurately the inhabitants of the parsonage. Mr. Mason had resided there about fifteen years, beloved and respected by all who knew him, for the unaffected piety of his character; joined to a cheerfulness, which made his society courted by the young as well as by the old. His was, indeed, the mansion of peace; for discord never entered his doors.

United early in life to the woman of his

choice, blessed with a numerous and lovely offspring, his days glided by unmarked by any of those untoward accidents that people who live in the midst of the gay world are continually subject to. Mrs. Mason was exactly what the wife of such a man ought to be, a pleasing, intelligent woman, remarkable for. the prudent management of her children, and her well regulated household. Julia, her eldest daughter, was not what the world would call a beauty, but she was perfectly agreeable: her healthy appearance, her lively intelligent countenance, the good humour that sparkled in her eyes, and the easy cheerfulness of her manners, made her an universal favourite. Her temper was mild, and her talents well cultivated; under such parents it was impossible they should be otherwise: for she had been watched from her cradle with the most unremitting attention, and never was an opportunity lost of pointing out and correcting those errors, which youth is but too liable to fall into. George was open, frank, generous, and sincere: sometimes rather hasty in his temper, which led him to

commit faults his better judgment disapproved; but, on those occasions, when he was convinced of his error, he was always ready to confess it, and solicit the pardon of the offended person. Nor was he happy till, by some acts of kindness, he had reinstated himself in their good opinion: on the other hand, did any one use him unkindly he was the first to propose a reconciliation, or shew by his manner, that he bore them no ill will. Helen was different in many respects to her sister: instead of the mildness that appeared in Julia, she possessed a vivacity her mother was often obliged to check. Her open countenance, the arch expression of her eyes, and the smiles that dimpled her face, evinced to the beholder the happy gaiety of her heart. Having received the same advantages with her sister, she was equally well informed; and would often surprise and please her father by the justness of her remarks. Frederic and Maria were yet too young to form any just idea of their characters: they promised to be as amiable as their fond parents could wish them, as they were docile and

good humoured, and learnt with quickness the short easy lessons set them.

I shall now return to Bellfield, where I left the young cousins busily engaged in working for the poor woman, whom Mrs. Stanly's charity had relieved.

CHAP. VI.

THE next morning every thing went on well. Emma, Caroline, and Augusta repeated their lessons with a correctness that delighted Mrs. Stanly: her praises made their cheeks glow, and their young hearts beat high with pleasure. The day was fine, and Mrs. Stanly ordered an early dinner, that they might have time to call at the cottage, and spend a long afternoon with their friends. They had made the best use of their time, and had each of them a little offering to make to the object of their charity.

As they walked along Mrs. Stanly recollecting that the poor girl's fever might be of an infectious nature, pointed out to them the danger they would incur by entering the cot tage; regretting at the same time the dis appointment they would feel in not presenting their little gifts themselves to the poor woman. Convinced by her arguments, they immedi

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