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has chained us to any particular routine, however distasteful-above all, when we are left quite alone, and despair of ever forming new ties so dear as those which are broken. It seemed to Mordaunt impossible to choose a fresh path of exertion; he was too old to enter as a neophyte any of the professions of which he had once dreamed, and his daily bread must still be earned. I have no energy just yet to 'I make any change,' he thought. Then flashed upon him an undefined plan for the future of trying to obtain mercantile employment abroad, but his heart did not bound at the suggestion. Gazing into the hazy distance as if it were that shapeless future, he saw by the outlines of the wooded hills that he was looking upon Carisbroke. A flush overspread his face, and he turned his eyes hastily away, as if some one had been beside him to detect the glance and guess at the unacknowledged chain which fettered him to England. So he walked onward still, and thought of himself as he once was when a youth, picturing a career of loneliness which had never till now been realized-for he had made to himself strong household ties of love and duty, and early in life had been bowed down by the cares and responsibility of a

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family. But if his had been a parent's part, it was not his, like a parent, to reap the reward. The young ones were fledged and flown, and there was upon him at little more than thirty a desolation which happily is seldom the lot of old age.

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He repeated to himself, however, that it would not do to encourage this sensation. he were permitted to live, there must be some purpose for that life, some duty which it was imperative he should fulfil. So he tried to forget his loneliness, and to reflect to whom. he might yet render a service. The first who recurred to his memory was the man who appeared most to possess all he lacked-it was Sir Mark. It seemed to him as if he should try to atone for the injury he could not but fear had been inflicted upon him by his family. But how help him? It was the mouse assisting the lion, yet the comparison did not daunt him. Opportunities might occur; and even now it was in his power to relieve him from many cares by continuing in his service, and devoting all his energy to the perfect execution of his duties.

He walked on more steadily now. Life had again an aim; an aim not for personal hope or

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ambition, and therefore the more likely to be blessed to him. I will march straightforward, and trust all to God.' And with the resolution came the earnest expectation of guidance and strength.

So he went back next day to his labours with a calm, collected spirit, and was not elated, only thankful to find that his new connexion gave him more influence, and consequently more power of doing good. Even the home which he had almost dreaded lost much of its discomfort when he dwelt there in this mood of submission and gratitude. He tried to bring out Laura's good qualities, to interest himself in her child, when they were present; and in their absence, he began to occupy himself in Jong-neglected pursuits, more easily indulged in now, since in the diminished size of the family he had, with some effort, secured a little study for his own especial benefit.

'I will not turn to look back on the buried joys, but around me on the bounties still so abundantly possessed, and onward to the mount of deliverance !'

CHAPTER XI.

I must love her, that loves not me.

DONNE.

AKE care that no demonstration is made

TAKE

when we arrive. It would annoy me very much, and harass Eve, who is not strong.'

Mrs. Philipson read that letter for the twentieth time, and rang once more for her head adviser, to impress upon him, and through him upon the neighbourhood, a strict submission to that especial paragraph. Anxiously she watched the weather, which had been so fickle and spring-like ever since the marriage. The morning had been wet, but in the afternoon the showers cleared off, and the last finishing touches were put to the garden and grounds; the fresh bouquets were placed in the rooms, the last light shake given to every fold of drapery.

Mrs. Philipson, in spite of her lameness, in

sisted on going to inspect the bride's apartments, and complimented Gwen on their tasteful arrangement. No hue to heighten, no speck to brush away-nothing more to be done but wait for them patiently. Oh! that they would come at sunset, whilst the bright orb still burned on the edge of the opposite mountain, with a deep flush tinging the heavens around him; whilst the whole fair scene, the quaint house, broad terrace, glowing garden, and wooded valley, were kindled into a flood of golden light by his rays.

As if in answer to her wish, a carriage appeared on the distant road, winding down into the valley. Yes, it was the travellers— they paused on the point of the hill as if to take in at once the beautiful picture, and then came rapidly forward.

She

Poor Mrs. Philipson! it was a moment of happiness almost too great for endurance. came out herself into the porch, and sat there watching, with flushed cheek, and beating heart, and restless eye, which wandered sometimes anxiously to the sun, disturbed to see how rapidly he sank in the horizon; but the watching could not arrest his progress, and, as she feared, just as the carriage rolled in at the last

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