true principles of religion are unknown, for Emily knew what was required of the christian, and needed not to be told that holiness of heart was essential as well as morality of conduct; but hers was wilful and determined sin against light and against knowledge, "hardness of heart, and contempt of God's word and commandments."

CHAPTER IX.

Gently, most gently, on thy victim's head,
Consumption! lay thine hand.

FANNY Gordon, whose illness was of that flattering nature which, while it excites the most sanguine hopes of recovery, is only hastening its victim to the grave, amended so much during the months of March and April as to be able to ride over to Elmwood very frequently; and once or twice she remained there greater part of the day. Emily, who was at least sincere in her attachments, felt the warmest affection for her, and often wept when she perceived those mournful symptoms in Fanny's health, which taught her, in a language too plain for the fondest hopes to misunderstand, that ere

long the interesting girl must be parted from her -and parted perhaps for ever.

The quiet and unpretending piety of her young friend was a silent but powerful reproof of Emily's vain and insincere professions; and her conversation often excited transient resolutions of amendment in her mind; but alas! they were "as the morning cloud, and as the early dew."

On the last day of May Fanny thought herself well enough to pay a visit to Elmwood, and on arriving there she told the servant who had driven her over in her father's gig, to return for her in the afternoon, as she intended to remain a few hours; and then she accompanied Emily into the library.

"What a delightful day!" exclaimed Fanny, as Emily threw open the window, and the mild summer breeze played among her light curls, and fanned her hectic cheek, "and how sweet it is to sit here, amidst so many of the beauties of creation, and to think that the Maker and Governor of all that. I see is my Father!"

"How much it adds to our enjoyment of nature's loveliness," replied Emily, with some embarrassment, "when we feel that the glorious Being who made all things in heaven and in earth, has redeemed us by the sacrifice of himself, and regards us, as his own ransomed ones, with peculiar love and favour; and that the same Omnipotence which called this world from nothing into being

and into beauty, is engaged to watch over and pro

..."All I have to complain of," said Fanny, with unaffected humility of manner, "is that I love my God so little. When I think of his infinite and amazing goodness to me, my heart sinks within me at the recollection of my own ingratitude, and I feel that my best and my holiest thoughts need to be washed in the blood of Christ, before they can be accepted of God. Do other christians-do you think in this manner, Emily, or are these feelings peculiar to myself ?”

This question heightened the colour on Emily's cheek, and she replied, "I should think yours was the experience of every child of God."

..."But perhaps," said Fanny, while an expression of deep thought shaded, but did not cloud, her fair brow, and calmed the deep brilliancy of her eye, "perhaps it may not long be my experience! I know from the looks of Mr. Russel, and of all my friends, that they think me past recovery; and though I have not entirely given up the idea that I may regain my former health, still I know consumption is so generally fatal, that I cannot but feel I ought to be prepared for an early grave; therefore I think frequently, (and with increasing resignation, I thank God) of the probability that I shall soon have to say farewell to this world. When first the idea suggested itself to my mind, that this illness might be the fore-runner of my de

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parture, I thought with fearful anxiety of the awful God whom I must meet, and I trembled at the recollection of the sins which exposed me to his vengeance, and rendered me unworthy of his mercy. But when my soul was cast down' and 'disquieted within me,' the Saviour, in whom I trusted, said to my accusing conscience, Peace; be still; and now, even when nature shrinks from the prospect of death, He has taught my heart to say, 'I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.""

Fanny paused; and Emily would not interrupt her reflections by any observation, for she well knew that vain and trifling subjects would not be interesting to her companion, and she was not hypocrite enough to converse upon religion when she could avoid it. But during the few minutes that they were silent, Emily contrasted her friend's peaceful and happy frame of mind with her own feelings; and she envied the tranquillity with which Fanny spoke of her secret thoughts, while she, the guilty and self-condemned apostate, dared not think, but whenever conscience whispered to her the sin and danger of her state, endeavoured to stifle its reproaches by attending to the first trifling, if not sinful, idea which presented itself.

At length Fanny again spoke. "I have just been thinking, Emily," said she, "of the gradual

I

manner in which I first became acquainted with divine truth. Oh! how graciously have I been guided, in every event of my life, by my Almighty friend! His hand was at first invisible, but he has now enabled me to see and to adore his providence in ordering each past occurrence, and I can thankfully acknowledge that all things' have worked together for my good. I doubt not that your experience resembles mine, for you also were once ignorant of spiritual things, and a stranger to the Redeemer who is now your most valued treasure. How deceived were we, my dear friend, when we looked for happiness from this vain and fleeting world, when we

'Sought her below-who dwells above;'

and how much were we disappointed when we found that neither amusements, nor books, nor domestic enjoyments brought peace to our hearts, and tranquillity to our minds. But now-now we know the way of peace'-now we have found the true source of happiness, and a voice has said to us, 'This is the way; walk ye in it!""

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"My dear Fanny," said Emily, affectionately, "I am afraid you will overpower yourself if you talk too much. Do not you remember what Mr. Russel said to me when I asked him if you might come to Elmwood sometimes- If Miss Gordon goes from home, she must first promise not to exert herself by too much talking?""