prove upon black and white, that they are entitled to it.'

"My mistress rose, and taking up the child (which she dared not to touch till this mo ment, and which stood trembling with its eyes fixed upon the monster who had ordered her to be put down at their first entrance, and who, she saw, even her mother was obliged to obey) she embraced her, and endeavoured to convey comfort in her heart, although her own was sinking, cold and destitute. On reaching home she took the remains of a small loaf of bread which had been their only support for the two preceding days, and dividing it, gave her famishing child one half with a little water, whilst she placed carefully the other between two broken plates, to preserve it moist till night. Then she wandered about, to amuse the child, till bed-time arrived, when, drawing forth the last scanty morsel, she gave it, amidst bitter pangs of hunger, tears, and prayers for relief, and succour for her infant.

A sweet sleep

soon came over it, as it lay in her bosom. Glad to see it at rest, yet loth to part, she made many attempts to lay it on its little couch; kissing it a thousand times, and weeping bitterly, till, afraid of waking it, and again witnessing it's cries of hunger, she resolved! and lying it gently down, she breathed a fervent prayer for it's timely preservation, and tore herself from the room, nor stopped till she had reached the

There the faithful Betty stopped-saying, "but I always promised never to tell what she was going to do, nor who it was that prevented her." "It was I, Betty," said Captain Heartley, springing from his seat, for he could contain his feelings no longer. "Yes, you have mistaken me, all this while for the worthless husband of your mistress! I am Captain Heartley, of whom I find you have been made acquainted by her. But pray make me acquainted with the circumstance of her death."

The girl continued. "Well, Sir, then, as I was saying; but I need not tell you what you already know, about your goodness and kindness, both in regard to saving her life, and providing for her future support; but I am sorry to tell you, that it is my opinion that it was the over joy of seeing her dear child again in plenty and comfort in such a sudden and wonderful manner; together with the great sufferings of want she had so lately experienced, which threw her on a bed of sickness, from which she was relieved by death, in a few days after your departure.

"I left my place on purpose to attend her, and carried my few shillings of wages which was due to me; but how to offer it to her I did not know, as I well knew that she would refuse to take it, even though she was dying for want. So, in going along, I thought of a plan to deceive her, by telling her, that I had met a person who paid me a small debt some time due to her.

She

smiled and shook her head, looking doubtful, but, at the same time, taking my hand, called me her worthy friend, bidding me sit down by her, while she told me all that had happened.

"When she had ended, she gave me money to go immediately, and supply our present necessities. Off I flew, with heart as light, and feet as nimble, as though I had been going to provide my own wedding dinner; but alas! alas! it was much nearer her funeral than my wedding; for when I returned I found her in a high fever, and before night she was quite delirious. I ran for the doctor, and brought him with me; but as soon as he saw her, he shook his head, and said that it was too late; but he would send some medicine, and come again in the morning. He did so; but all was over. My dear mistress was a corpse, with her innocent baby sleeping by her side, and myself in a state fit for bedlam.

"He strove to pacify me, and began to

speak to me, concerning the dear creature, asking who she was, and who were her friends. I told him, that she had none but myself: but that I had means sufficient to pay him for his trouble, and also to lay her decently in her grave, if once I could make up my mind to the parting with her. 'And that dear little child,' said he 'have you the means also of providing for it?'

Yes,' said I, while I have health and strength to work, and though I have lost my dear mistress, thank God I can have a good character from my last place.' He now offered to assist me, saying, that my conduct was such as deserved it. I thanked him, and said that I would only trouble him for his advice respecting the funeral. This he very readily gave; I followed his directions in every thing, and I had the satisfaction to see her laid in her silent tomb, in a decent manner becoming her station. Her dear child and I followed her as chief

mourners,