strength was gradually declining, and that her last hour rapidly drew near. She saw that Alice would not acknowledge her danger; although in the tearful eye, which was sometimes fixed upon her mother's countenance, Mrs. Seymour hoped she perceived a sense of the dreaded evil. Indeed, poor Alice could not any longer deceive herself. She witnessed her mother's suppressed sufferings, saw what sleepless nights she passed, and read in the doctor's face a confirmation of her worst fears.

To leave her mother, as she was obliged to do, was misery. But what was to be done? They almost existed upon the fruits of her labours; for the scanty allowance made to them by the creditors was most irregularly paid.

Where was Mr. Harcourt all this time? Did he never bestow a thought, or melt with compassion, at the hard fate of his amiable and excellent sister, and of her innocent child? Or is he as hard-hearted

and inflexible as ever; seeking for himself that treasure which "moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal ?"

We must hope that he will relent, and that through the mercy of God, his mind may be softened; and that neglected opportunities, and omitted duties, may not have occasion to stand in formidable array against him, "when the judgment shall be set, and the books opened." Let us hope that his unchristian errors of temper and conduct may be amended; and that he may still be allowed time to glorify God, by the cultivation and increase of those duties enjoined by the gospel; by efforts to diffuse comfort to his fellow-creatures, to soothe their sorrows, and to infuse hope into the fainting heart.

CHAPTER XII.

THE spirits of Alice had become much depressed. She went through the regular routine of her business with her accustomed sweetness and attention, but the cheerfulness that accompanied her labours was gone.

Mrs. Seymour had become so perceptibly worse, during the last week, that Alice could no longer find a pretext for indulging in those hopes, which so long had buoyed up her young heart, and kept it from despondency. Lady Emma, who loved her youthful governess with the affection of a tender sister, felt sincerely for her sorrow; and was seconded by

her grief. Every offer of service was made by this amiable family; and every little delicacy sent to the invalid, which was considered likely to support her strength and tempt her appetite.

One day, Alice arrived at Lady G- -'s in a most depressed state, having witnessed a night of intense agony spent by her mother. She told her ladyship that her mother had desired her to say, that if it was not trespassing too much, she requested a few minutes' conversation with her that day. Lady GLady G- instantly sig

nified her compliance with this request, and her readiness to go at any hour.

The fact was, that Mrs. Seymour knew that her exhausted frame was on the point of sinking under the pressure of disease, and she was anxious to secure for her poor child the protection of a friend. Could she be certain that Alice would be sheltered from the temptations and miseries of the world, and hold a situation, however

humble, in a family of so much worth, she could die in peace. She also wished to tell Lady G—— that Alice had an uncle upon whom she ought to have claims; and that perhaps urged by persons of weight and high rank, and so conspicuous for real goodness, that he might be brought to a sense of at least justice. His fortune was enormous; and a portion, the absence of which he could not miss, would keep his niece from want and in respectability.

Much had the mother to say, which could only be addressed to one who was herself a parent; and she had fortunately met with one whose heart and sympathy were alive to the distress caused by maternal anguish. "Her heart had known its own bitterness;" Lady G-- had lost several beautiful and amiable children : some who had nearly reached the age of womanhood. One girl had been spared to her, and by her love and anxiety for