caused the Son of God to pity our lost condition, and to die that we might be enabled to shun such anguish; and there is not one human soul among the thousands in Heaven who had not sinned beyond all hope of pardon, except through that sacrifice and propitiation of our crucified Saviour."

CHAPTER XXV.

"How vainly, through infinite trouble and strife,

The many their labors employ!

Since all that is truly delightful in life,

Is what all, if they please, may enjoy."

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“MATILDA,” said Eleanor, taking her cousin by the hand, when their interview was nearly over, "I trust we shall both live to see the permanence of my present feelings and resolutions, though it is easy to feel a desire for holiness, and, oh, how difficult to attain it! During the next year I have resolved to live in retirement and meditation, while pursu-ing such a course of reading as our adviser and friend, Dr. Murray, may suggest. Meanwhile," added she, losing the paleness of her cheek in a deep glow of carnation, it is Mr. Grant's intention to travel on the Continent. He has been urgent with me to accompany him there, but my heart must not yet be trusted with happiness. You know, Matilda, how truly he was preferred to all others; and my father having consented, I shall soon exchange the gilded misery which lately cheated me of real peace, for a moderate fortune. and as much earthly happiness as can exist along with the remembrance, which shall remain forever, of past follies, and of worse than these, ingratitude, selfishness, and sin."

When Matidla proceeded on her way to the saloon, before dinner, she was called by Sir Richard into his sitting-room, and her heart sunk with apprehension respecting what he might say of the recent discovery by Mr. Armstrong; but he held out his hand to her with an expression of kindness, though of extreme gravity.

"My dear girl, this has been a surprise to us all! You need not be told that it is as great to me as to any one. I shall, of course, defend your cousin's claims with all the energy in my power; but if Sir Philip's subsequent settlement be found good, then I shall yield without regret to one who is scarcely less dear to me than Eleanor herself. You deserve my affection, but prosperity tries us all, and no doubt your head will become as giddy on the pinnacle as your

cousin's. We must allow, entre nous, that she became rather spoilt. Be ready to start with us for Edinburgh to-morrow, and in every sense, I think your father will meet with a surprise."

On the following week, Mr. Armstrong's packet being put into the hands of counsel, all the ingenuity of man could not discover a doubt of Sir Philip's last will being valid. For once there seemed no occasion to complain in Scotland of "the law's delay." Matilda Howard was not destined, like many, to grow old in seeking for her rights, and after lingering in weariness and suspense till she outlived the possibility of enjoying them, to receive what is called justice, in being allowed to bequeath for others the possession of that which ought to have embellished her own existence. After a short period of uncertainty, she received a visit from Sir Richard, to announce, in terms of affection and kindness, that Eleanor's claim was, by the concurrent advice of the Solicitor-General and many other legal advisers, finally relinquished.

Every event happens unexpectedly, and even those which we have daily considered for years, come when least anticipated, and cause the same astonishment as if they never were supposed possible. Mr. Grant had been thinking rather less than usual about the state of Sir Evan's health, when one morning, about this time, he received letters sealed with black, to announce that a sudden fit of apoplexy carried him off one day while sitting after dinner. As he had been struck speechless at once, no opportunity occurred of acknowledging any marriage to the mother of his children, a manoeuvre which he always proposed to execute at the last moment, thus intending to continue her dependence on his humors while he lived, and still to enjoy his cherished desire of vengeance on his nephew. Mr. Grant could scarcely be expected to drop a tear over his uncle's memory, before he blotted him out forever; but he hastened to pay Sir Evan's remains all the decencies of respect, and to make a liberal provision for his numerous and dependent family, each of whom were subsequently established in a profession. Before setting out to attend the funeral, Mr. Grant requested an interview with Miss Fitz-Patrick, and pleaded his own cause with impassioned eloquence and genuine good feeling, till he at length extorted from her the promise he asked. Eleanor consented that the retirement and privacy to which she had devoted the following year, should be found

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at Clanpibroch Castle, where he assured her that the counsels of Sir Alfred and the convictions of his own mind, prepared him to occupy his future life in seeking that great object of Christian hope which had now attained its supreme value in the eyes of both.

Every reader of newspapers must have observed, in the Morning Post of Thursday last, the announcement of two marriages in high life, by the Rev. Dr. Murray of Gaelfield, Sir Thomas Grant, Bart. of Clanpibroch Castle, Invernessshire, to Miss Eleanor Fitz-Patrick; and Sir Alfred Douglas, Bart. of Douglas Priory, in Mid-Lothian, and Bowmont Manor in Yorkshire, to Miss Howard, the lovely and accomplished heiress of Barnard Castle. Among the company present we observed Lady Susan Danvers, Lady and the Misses Montague, Hon. Mrs. Clifford, Miss C. and Miss A. Clifford, Miss Murray, Miss Porson, Hon. Col. Pendarvis, Major Foley, Sir C. Fletcher, Captain M'Tartan, and a numerous party of distinguished friends.

Among the on-dits in society it is currently reported that Lady Susan Danvers, once listened herself into the good graces of Sir Colin Fletcher with such persevering patience that, though a single yawn would have ruined her prospect forever, he actually, with much circumlocution, came at last to the point. The fair lady, having long had a ready-made attachment at the service of any very eligible match that offered, was found propitious on the present occasion, and lawyers and milliners are already in the full activity of preparation.

Captain M'Tartan was the only man at the Senior United Service Club who perceived much cause for astonishment when he one day found himself unexpectedly promoted to be an admiral and honored with a Guelphic ribbon, in consequence of his spirited conduct on board the "Champion, 74," of which particulars were given in his dispatches, dated the 15th September. Sir Donald M'Tartan, having been little on shore, is firmly persuaded that every young lady has much the same characteristics-that they are all good tempered, lively, fond of music, dress, and gayety-ready to marry the first man who asks them, and so smitten with epaulettes, that they will admire one on naval-blue shoulders when not to be seen upon scarlet. Since he became an ad

miral, Miss Charlotte Clifford, who, to the certain knowledge of her numerous confidantes, had already refused or dis couraged every other gentleman living, seemed in danger of finding it necessary to be in love with Sir Donald, when, to her great surprise, he announced an engagement to Miss Adelaide Montague.

Major Foley, having been quartered in Ireland lately with his regiment, was filled with dismay one morning to find that his little, well-turned compliments, and trifling civilities, were carefully registered in the heart and in the head of a fair Hibernian, possessing, among other irresistible recommendations, a squadron of brothers. Having been assured by them in strong terms of the pleasure with which they all anticipate a nearer connexion, he has found it impossible to disappoint them, and the marriage will take place at Tipperary without delay.

Colonel Pendarvis succeeded lately to Yorkton Abbey and the accumulated hoards of that avaricious old aunt, respecting whose penurious habits it had formerly been his amusement to relate so many anecdotes; but with the estate, he seems to have unexpectedly inherited all her saving propensities; and the very customs which he criticised in her have been, almost without exception, adopted by himself, while they are observed with ridicule and contempt by his younger brothers.

Nanny Muckleraith is at last restored to perfect composure and peace of mind. She can bear to see Martha the happy wife of William Grey. She has even learnt to rejoice in their contentment; while she devotes her own time to the charge of a school lately established in the village of Clanpibroch, where in useful and active employment she finds a degree of happiness never experienced before. The only fault her scholars find with their teacher is on account of her being extremely rigid about discouraging all excesses in dress, and invariably confiscating the necklaces of glass beads and the gilt ear-rings in which the girls delight to adorn themselves.

Dr. Murray, it is whispered, will probably be Moderator of the General Assembly next year; and as no event of equal importance ever occured before in the annals of his sister's life, he has found occasion to exercise the most indulgent forbearance in suffering a multitude of pleasing anticipations and active preparatory measures, with which she is already persecuting his few hours of leisure.