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verses seem really to allude to my situation: Be-
cause thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with
goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not,
that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked.' I have said thus, to my soul;
and I have not felt, that, with all my riches, with all
my self-sufficiency, I was really poor, and blind, and
naked. Then this verse,
'counsel thee, to buy gold
tried in the fire, that thou may'st be rich; and white
garments, that thou may'st be clothed.' Oh, how
very beautiful! God, the God of heaven, Jesus, the
forgiving, gracious Saviour, deigns to counsel, He
who can command."-They both arose the next
morning much composed and refreshed. Morton
went down early to the counting-house, and Lucy
soon followed him thither (for the clerks never at-
tended before breakfast); "I do not understand
business," she said, "but I have quite time to do
whatever you will employ me about." She was
determined to be useful, and Morton soon found she
could assist him very essentially.

After breakfast she employed herself for some time in copying letters for him; just as they were finished, the friend before mentioned, a Miss Nugent, entered she was an old maiden lady, related to many noble families, and first cousin to Lucy's mother. Not having permission to speak of her husband's situation, Lucy was silent, when Miss Nugent said, "I have heard, my dear, that your

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husband is ruined; is the report true?" trance of Morton, put an end to Lucy's embarrassment; he frankly answered that the report was quite true, "You have been very candid with me, my young friend," said Miss Nugent, ،، another person might have feared to trust an old woman, and would, perhaps, have prevaricated: I am not come as an intruder, but to ask if I can be of any use; would Mrs. Morton come, for a short time, to my house?" "O thank you, thank you," replied Morton: “do, dear Lucy, accept this kind offer ; I will really exert myself as a man, and I will try to prove myself a Christian too;" he added, in a low voice." You are, indeed, kind, my dear madam," said Lucy, "but I cannot leave my William: I don't stay to watch you; I don't doubt you, my love," she added, turning to her husband, "but with you I can bear any thing; when away from you, I cannot answer so well for my fortitude; I feel quite prepared. Where, in the hour of misfortune, should a wife be, but near her best earthly support, a faithful and affectionate husband? No, no, I cannot go away. Promise me, William," said she, with a beseeching smile, fondly clasping his arm," promise me that I shall remain with you."-Lucy did not go!

That evening Morton's name was in the Gazette; some speculations which he had engaged in, with an apparent certainty of success, had failed, and he was a bankrupt : that evening, however, Morton and his

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wife were busily employed till a late hour. They gave up no time to useless lamentation, but they were, like seamen, exerting themselves to the last, in a sinking vessel: they thought that it could never be useless to perform their duty; and many hours of bitter regret were spared them by their unwearied assiduity. They were, at the same time, attentive to their health, and endeavoured to compose their minds, that they might be better enabled to be useful. Lucy was still as attentive as ever to all her duties a common observer would have perceived no difference, for she was only a little paler; her house was as well regulated, and her dress as elegantly neat, as in happier times. She endeavoured to give way in nothing; and, being very watchful, she was usually successful. A young and delicate female, bearing up against the storms of misfortune, is a beautiful sight: she is not out of her element. Where could the peaceful halcyon appear so lovely as on the raging water! I could not pity such a person, admiration and respect should alone be felt. "An unwise man doth not understand this, and a fool doth not well consider it ;" but it is a divinely attested truth, "that whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth."

Lucy accompanied her husband when he went to surrender his property at Guildhall; and while she sat, anxiously waiting his return, in a coach at the door, two persons came out, and stood very near,

talking. She heard her husband's name frequently mentioned by them. One of them, an elderly man, said, “Ah, I never thought that young Morton would get on well, with his high notions and obstinacy; and then, too, the speculating fool must marry a girl without a farthing." Lucy could not bear this, she coughed loudly; they turned and perceived her, before she could throw herself back in the coach. Morton did not return; and supposing the two gentlemen were gone, Lucy sat, half lost in thought, vacantly gazing towards the door, whence she expected her husband to proceed. Morton joined her, and, as they drove away, she saw the elder gentleman standing near the gateway she felt that he must have been looking at her, for he coloured deeply, as he slowly turned away, and an expression crossed over his countenance, which said to her, "Poor thing! I did not know you were his wife.” This old man was a rich banker; he was slightly acquainted with Morton, but he had been struck with the countenance of Lucy, and walked home quite ashamed of himself, for having unintentionally hurt her feelings. He could speak of nothing, but that pale, sweet countenance, which not even a shade of anger had darkened at his cruel remark, and which had been so illumined at the return of Morton to the coach. He lay awake part of the night; for the remembrance of Lucy incessantly haunted his mind. At eleven the next morning, Mr. Johnston

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was at Morton's door. He conversed some time with him, and found, that he was not so much to be blamed, as he had supposed. He told him, how he had spoken in Lucy's presence, and begged to be introduced to her. Lucy was in her chamber, but at her husband's request, she instantly came down. Madam," said the old man, "I must have seemed an old brute yesterday, but I heartily beg your pardon: I think you will forgive me." She replied to Mr. Johnston, with a smile, which he thought even more beautiful than the one with which she welcomed her husband on the preceding day. Before they parted, Mr. Johnston had contrived to offer Morton a considerable sum of money, but Morton declined it, saying, "I am young and healthy, Sir; and I can work; if you can give me any employment for the present, I should be truly grateful. I cannot incur another debt, which I may be unable to discharge." Mr. Johnston admired the principle, which he could hardly understand. He had never been refused before, when he had offered to lend money: he became deeply interested for his new friends, and he did not forget them. He was requested, some time after, by his brother, to recommend some person who could take charge of confidential letters over land to India; a considerable sum was offered, and every expense was promised to be paid, to render the fatigues and dangers of the journey more tolerable.

Mr. Johnston took the letter to Morton, and giving

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