of course, you will believe that I never would enter into so sacred a connection without their consent. I love and reverence them too much, and, above all, I fear God; but fain would I hope that, had he a competency, their prejudices (for prejudices I must call them) would be overcome. William's choice was early pointed to the church, and his clerical education has for some time been completely finished, but hitherto all his efforts to procure a living have proved ineffectual. My father might assist him, but he is very lukewarm in the cause, as both my mother and he declare they cannot bear the idea of seeing me the wife of a poor minister. But I have learnt that poverty is a comparative thing, and that a competence to some is riches, while to others wealth seems little better than splendid want. It is true, riches will be denied me, but the greater blessings of peace and mutual affection may, by the blessing of God, be my happy lot. Even when called upon to endure hardship and privations, our souls will not be cast down; for with one heart and one faith, we will cheerfully bear the crosses of this life, looking forward to the inseparable and ever-lasting happiness of that which is to come...

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,' than to sit in the joyless ease of indifference amidst heartless grandeur, or to drink the bitter cup of variance. Ah! my dear cousin, God only can put gladness in the heart, and 'tis not by the world or the things of the world.—If, as I believe, religion be indeed the soul of happiness, then may I reasonably hope for that peace which the world cannot give, with one whom I have known and loved from my earliest years, and whose faith and practice are those of a follower of Jesus Christ.

"This attachment is no phantom of a heated imagination. Our mutual love is now a principle -it cannot be extinguished, but it may be sacrificed to a still more sacred claim. I again repeat, I never will marry without the consent and blessing of my parents; but were my dear William provided for, I think their pride would yield to their stronger feeling of affection for me. Yet I almost blush to trouble you with my selfish concerns, though I know you will befriend me if you can. The church of Clearburn is in Lord Rossville's gift-the present incumbent is old and infirm, and an assistant and successor is to be

immediately appointed. I do not ask you to recommend William Leslie, because you ought not to recommend one to fill so sacred an office who is utterly unknown to you; but if you would name him to Lord Rossville-if you would request of him to inquire into his character and qualifications of those who can judge of them, and then if you will support him with your influence, you will confer a heartfelt obligation on your faithful and affectionate cousin,

"ANNE BLACK."

CHAPTER III.

With a great understanding as a round orb that tumbles hither and thither, able to guess at the depth of the great sea.

Hindoos' Description of their God.

To feel and to act were with Gertrude commonly one and the same thing-reflection seldom was allowed to interpose its cooling influence, and scarcely had she finished reading the letter when she flew to Lord Rossville to ask (and she had no doubt to obtain) the boon solicited. She found the Earl alone in his study, surrounded with papers and parchments, and looking, if possible, even more than usually portentous.

"I am come, my Lord, to ask-to beg a favour," she began, almost breathless from haste and emotion.

"Miss St Clair, this is rather an interruption; but be seated-be seated-and be composed.

You, and indeed all who have any claims upon my time, influence, or assistance, will ever find my ear open to the voice of proper solicitationtherefore, I again repeat, be composed, and allow this flow of spirits to subside, ere you commence."

There is nothing less likely to promote its end, than a recommendation to be cool and composed, when one is all ardour and eagerness-but this was one of Lord Rossville's methods of tormenting his victims. He was always composed himself, even when in anger-that is, he was always heavy, dull, and formal-and no subject could warm him so as to make him neglect the slow pompous formation of his sentences. His body was heavyhis nerves were tough-his blood was thick-he was a dull man-but, like many other men, he deceived himself, for he thought his dulness was self-command, and that he had the same merit in being composed as one whose perceptions are lively, whose blood flows rapidly, and whose ready imagination comprehends whole sentences such as his Lordship composed, ere they were half pronounced-one, in short, who thinks and speaks with natural feeling and animation. Dif