experiencing that weakness of the flesh which the uninterrupted discharge of graver duties is calculated to produce. Thou knowest that though the spirit be ofttimes willing, the flesh is weak, and there comes a weariness, when we would fain feel only energy and earnestness."

"Let us not be weary in well doing." These words came into Hester's mind, as the young Quakeress spoke. When had she wearied in well doing? when had the patient discharge of any one duty induced weakness of the flesh? Alas, it would have been better had she only failed to fulfil the apostle's adjuration; for then, by implication, a certain amount of works must have been performed ere the weariness came. As it was, she was weary and heavy-laden indeed, buffeted and way-worn, ready ofttimes to lie down, crying out, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!" And of every fresh draught from pleasure's gilded cup, after draining the intoxicating chalice to its very dregs, she could have exclaimed, "This also is vanity and vexation of spirit." "Few and evil have been the days of my pilgrimage," might have been her mournful confession; for her twenty-four years of mental existence had passed away in feverish excitement, or in wearing, fruitless regret.

"I am weary and heavy laden!" was her spirit's ceaseless moan; strange that she heard not the voice of One who stilleth the wildest waves of earthly passion, saying, "I will give you rest."

"But you have known some sorrows, surely," inquired Lady Leslie, after a pause.

"Yes! years ago, God took away our father, and afterwards two young sisters, and an only brother; it was a sore trial of faith and patience, but He who knoweth our sorrows, gave us the victory; and in due time we rejoiced in humble hope of meeting the departed ones in a better world. I think of them now, sometimes, and bless his holy name, who in love, not in anger, took them to his eternal rest. We shall go to them some day."

The hour came for Hester's departure. She bade adieu to those kind faces and kinder hearts; she left the tranquil little port, where her restless bark had so peacefully ridden at anchor, and plunged once more into the troubled waves of life's turbulent ocean. Mabel looked lovingly on the evergreens that studded the lawn; she, too, had been very happy, for Hester had been so loving, so warm, so clinging! there had been perfect union of hearts between the friends during those quiet three days; not one careless word, not one chilling glance, had fallen with its icy pain on Mabel's loving spirit. Hester's world was wide, and its centre, her husband. Mabel's world was Hester

all Hester!

Once more they reached Kingsdown Lodge, and though for two or three days Hester remained up stairs, being rather shaken by her short journey, Sir Herbert Leslie did not think it requisite to remain in attendance on his wife. He saw her safely ensconced under Mr. Hamilton's roof, and then he returned to London, paying only a flying visit to Richmond at intervals of several days' duration.

"Indeed, I love thee! come,

Yield thyself up; my hopes and thine are one,
Accomplish thou my manhood and thyself;
Lay thy sweet hands in mine and trust to me."

TENNYSON.

SEVERAL days had elapsed since Hester and Margaret returned to Kingsdown Lodge. On the evening after their return, Ernest had requested Margaret to grant him a private interview, and they met accordingly in the library, at the same hour that he was accustomed to meet Grace there, for that quiet, precious ante-prandial chat.

"And now, Margaret," said Ernest, when he had placed before her the difficulties of his position," are you willing to plight your troth to one who unreservedly confesses that years may elapse before he can come forward to ratify the engagement now formed? Am I not selfish, exacting, to ask you for my sake to waste the best years of your life in wearying delay and miserable uncertainty? Margaret, we may not be able to marry till we are both thirty.”

"Rather more than eight years," replied Margaret, cheerfully; "longer than Jacob was willing to serve for his Rachel."

LOVE'S GOLDEN LINK.

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"And like Jacob," interrupted Ernest, "when the first term of delay shall be expired, I may be compelled to wait yet another seven years for my Margaret."

"Jacob did not wait other seven years," replied Margaret; "the seven years' service was fulfilled after Rachel became his wife. But, Ernest, I will not waste any portion of my life. I am willing to wait till God makes our path plain, be it one year or twenty; and you do not know, after all, your father may not be so obdurate as you imagine; he may find objections at first, which may gradually disappear. Are we not meeting trouble half way ?" Margaret spoke so hopefully, that somewhat of her spirit was communicated to her lover.

"We will hope so," he said; "at any rate, there is one thing he cannot avert, we know now that we love each other; we are pledged now to tread the coming path of life hand in hand-in spirit so, if not actually. It may be long ere we journey side by side, but distance and the lapse of time can never weaken the bond that unites us heart to heart; henceforth we shall never be entirely separated."

"Never," responded Margaret, emphatically, "for death cannot conquer love. The parting, that must come, will not sever the golden link of mutual affection; for be it sooner or later before you may claim me as your wife, or after many long years of happy union, we shall still part in sight of home."

Ernest gazed down on the fair young face that was so meekly lifted to his own. He thanked God who had given him the love of a creature like Margaret;

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FRATERNAL ENCOURAGEMENT.

and at that moment he trusted hopefully that the day was not far distant when in some blessed home of their own, he might be privileged to hold her to his heart, as his own, his very own-the wife whom his Heavenly Father, in his great goodness, had been pleased to bestow upon him.

That evening Ernest told Fred what had passed between him and Margaret, and Captain Hamilton in the excess of his satisfaction declared that he was better pleased than if he had been created field marshal, and had received a revelation promising him in the ages yet to come a name more glorious than that of Wellington! "And when are you going to be married, Ernest ?" was the next question. "Have you asked Margaret to name the day?" mournful smile that lighted up Ernest Hamilton's countenance as he turned to his brother and answered, "Fred, you are intolerably thoughtless. I told you that I had not yet hinted my engagement to our father, and you can judge, as well as myself, whether he will be very likely to consult my happiness to the destruction of his own plans."

It was a

"Of course I can judge. One needn't be much of a philosopher to come to a conclusion on that point. The governor means you to marry Eleanor Finch, and you might go further and fare worse! ergo, when you inform him you are engaged to marry Margaret Whittaker, there will be a regular skirmish! Won't you get a combing! as Brother Jonathan eloquently expresses it."

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Dear Fred, I wish you would be serious!"