the lid and get out, but the second time, just after she had concealed herself, a housemaid came into the little room where the chest stood, and placed a quantity of clean folded sheets and counterpanes on the top of it, quite unconscious of its contents. Minna was much amused, and little Stuart was quite delighted with the idea of being so well concealed; but when Minna attempted to raise the lid, the increased weight was too much for her, and she was fain to wait for Geraldine's assistance. Stuart amused himself for some time peeping through the crack and listening for the catchers, but when the sound of their footsteps passed away, and no Geraldine came, he began to get frightened and angry. He told Minna he would never hide with her again, and that she was very naughty to put him in a box and not take him out; and finally, when Minna was really becoming nervous and uncomfortable, he began to cry inconsolably. She could only hope he would be heard by some of the others, but in the meantime all the terrible stories she had ever heard of the bad effects of fright on a child recurred to her memory, and she blamed herself, oh, how deeply, for her folly and rashness.

From this state of distress the two prisoners were at length relieved by hearing Miss Forbes approach. The moment Minna heard the well-known footstep, she called at the highest pitch of her voice; the lid was at once raised, and Stuart sprang into Miss Forbes' arms, while Geraldine, with many tears and apologies, helped Minna out, and began to account for her apparent faithlessness. Happily there was no harm done. Miss Forbes discouraged any strong expressions of pity for Stuart's fears, and he seemed suddenly to forget

G

them on seeing Wentworth's face of wondering sympathy, and hearing Herbert's question

"Were you frightened, Stuart ?"

"No," shouted the little fellow, who never confessed to a fear if he could help it.

"But you cried," said Wentworth, who was unaccustomed to such weakness in his younger brother.

"I sha'n't hide with Minna no more," said Stuart, indignantly, as he gave his brother his hand, and led him towards the nursery.

away

Minna had been let out of her durance in good time, for now she was summoned to Lady Fortrose's sitting

room.

Captain Raymond had arrived, but Minna's delight was checked by observing the very grave expression of his face when he met and returned her greeting. Her look of surprise and disappointment was answered by Lady Fortrose.

"He has bad news, dear Minna, and is come, after all, only to go again.”

"But not to go alone," said Captain Raymond. "Minna, I am come to take you home: my mother is ill."

"Ill!" repeated Minna; "very ill? Tell me what it is. You look so sad!"

"Yes, I am afraid I must; it was a very sudden attack, but there was inflammation, and that is sometimes very dangerous. It only came on late at night, and I started early in the morning to try and bring you back, as my mother wished to see you."

"Oh, yes; when can we start? Directly, can we not? I shall be ready."

"There is a train that leaves A

-to-night at

8.45, and if you can be ready to start in half-an-hour, we may catch it, but I do not like to hurry you so."

"Oh yes, yes, I will be ready; I wish to go as soon as possible, and you will tell me all when we are off. I must not stay now. Only just tell me, is Bessie

well?"

"Yes, and longing for you. Rhoda, too, is most anxious that you should come."

"Thanks. Now I will go. In half-an-hour-I will be punctual;" and Minna left the room to hasten the preparations for her departure.

She found Lady Fortrose giving directions to the maid whom she had summoned to pack up Minna's things. "And you will be sure to see that Miss Raymond is comfortable. You will, of course, let Jane sleep in your room, dear, at C,"continued Lady Fortrose,

as Minna entered.

dear

"Oh! but we are not going to sleep at Caunt. We shall travel all night. I am sure that Harry means to do so, that we may be as quick as possible. And," added she, in a lower tone, "I don't think I need take Jane; you know, with Harry, I shall get on perfectly well."

"Do you really think you can do without her comfortably, my dear? And then you will want her when you come back."

"I think not. I am almost sure I had better not take her. You see, I shall not want her at King's

Holm."

66

Well, just as you like, dear; but tell her what you wish, and then come to my room for a few last words."

Lady Fortrose went down-stairs.

Minna gave a few more directions to the maid, and quickly followed her aunt, whom she found alone.

"My darling, I can't bear to send you away, and on so sad an errand; but I do hope it may be a comfort to your dear mother to see you, and that you may have the great happiness of finding her already better." "You think I may. You do not fear, then, that she is so very ill."

"From what Harry says, I see no positive necessity for fear; but it is doubtless a very serious, and possibly dangerous illness. I am thankful that you can be with them to-morrow. Bessie will, I am sure, look to you as a comforter, whatever happens; and, for yourself, remember, darling, you have a mother here too."

Minna kissed her aunt with tears in her eyes, and was soon in the carriage with her brother, who highly approved of her resolution not to encumber herself with a maid.

CHAPTER IX.

THE JOURNEY.

Sure they of many blessings
Should scatter blessings round,
As laden boughs in autumn fling
Their ripe fruit to the ground.
And the best love man can offer
To the love of God be sure,

Is kindness to His little ones,

And bounty to His poor.

Baron's Little Daughter.

What God

Intended as a blessing and a boon

We have received as such; and we can say:

A solemn, yet a joyful thing is life,

Which, being full of duties, is for this

Of gladness full, and full of lofty hopes.

R. C. TRENCH.

MINNA had now for the first time leisure to reflect on the events of the last hour. The news had been so sudden, and the preparations so hurried, that she could. scarcely think of her journey till it was begun.

After a few minutes of thoughtful silence she turned to her brother, and said—

"I am so thankful that you came for me, Harry." "I am very thankful that I was able to come," answered he," and still more thankful to find you so willing to go."

"Did you doubt about it?" asked Minna.