Oh, rather remember what the High and Holy One has done and suffered for us both. Your heart is touched with feeling for me; you are grateful towards a poor worm of earth, and can you remain hardened and rebellious towards the merciful Saviour, who is now stretching out His arms to call to Himself. you Who is so ready to receive you, so ready to forgive, as He who has sacrificed His life, that you may live!"

The boy could make no reply; but the dying words then heard were branded on his soul, never to be forgotten while memory should endure.

"Come in, dear Clemmy; it is very kind in you to visit the sick-room," murmured Ernest. Followed by Charles and Mr. Ewart, Clementina entered, mingled pity, fear, and awe on her face. Fontonore held out to his cousin his white, emaciated hand.

"You will be better soon, I trust," faltered the young lady.

"Yes; I shall be with Christ, which is far better." "But it is terrible to leave all-so early-it seems so cruel! Ernest, you are too young for-for death!" "Too young for happiness, my cousin? Do you remember our conversation in London; how I told you that none could be happy as the Christian, that there is no pleasure equal to what religion can give? I thought it then," he cried, his voice strengthening, his eye kindling as he spoke; "I thought it then, Clementina, but I know it now! What is it to me that I bear the title of a peer, that this castle is mine, that men call me great -I must leave all, perhaps before the sun sets; I must leave all, and yet my whole soul is full of joy-joy beyond all that earth can ever bestow. I am passing through the river, but it does not overflow me; beneath

are the everlasting arms-before me are the glories of the eternal city, where I shall see Him whom not seeing I have loved!"

There was a radiance upon the dying countenance that seemed not of earth but heaven. Clementina looked upon Ernest, wondering; and for the first time felt the littleness of the world, and the vanity of all that it can give.

"Where is my Pilgrim's Progress?" continued Fontonore, more faintly.

you.

"Cousin, I have reserved it for When this frail body is laid in the grave, then read it, and think of one weak Pilgrim who trod the path to the Celestial City with feeble steps, too often, alas turning aside from the way; yet on whom the Lord of Pilgrims had great mercy, whom the Saviour guided by His counsel here and afterward-received— into glory!"

Ernest sank back on his pillow exhausted. A change came over his features; there was breathless silence in the room.

"He is going!" murmured Mr. Ewart, clasping his hands.

Ernest unclosed his eyes, fixed a long last look of inexpressible love on his brother; then, turning it towards the clergyman, faintly uttered the single word "Pray!"

At once all sank on their knees, every distinction forgotten in that solemn hour. The heir of a peerage—

the vain child of fashion, bent side by side with the convict's son ! Mr. Ewart's voice was raised in prayer; he commended the parting spirit to his Saviour, while Fontonore's upward gaze, and the motion of his silent lips, showed that he heard and joined in the prayer. Presently that motion ceased-the light faded from that eye, the silver cord was gently unloosed; but the smile which still lingered on the features of the dead seemed an earnest of the bliss of the freed, rejoicing spirit, safely landed on the shores of Eternity.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

CONCLUSION.

T may not, perhaps, be uninteresting to the reader to trace a little of the future career of those whom Ernest left behind him in the world.

Charles, of course, inherited the title and estate of his brother, and, increasing in piety and virtue as he increased in years, became an ornament to the high station in which he was placed, and a blessing to the people amongst whom he dwelt. He carried out all Ernest's projects of charity with zeal; and when, on attaining the age of twenty-one, the management of his own estate came into his hands, he erected the church upon his grounds which he had designed so long before, and often listened within its walls to the words of truth from the lips of his early preceptor.

For Madge and Ben Charles procured respectable situations, and would have done the same for their brother; but the wish of the boy was to be a soldier, and accordingly, when old enough, he enlisted.

Blunt