plate the baser side of humanity. Do you say this picture is overcharged? Then I do not understand the age

tell

you,

that

you

in which you live-that you are wholly ignorant of that power which, more mystical and secret in its operations than the priestcraft of Egypt, more potent in its effect than the shock of armies, rules in this realm as the false prophet ruled in Khorassan, with a sway the more irresistible from the veil which hangs over its bestial features. Mr. Laneton is a hard man by nature he could not be so rich were he otherwise. But let us beware how we judge him rashly. The eagle has his place in creation, equally with the lamb he bears away in his talons. The harshest man is but an embodied fate. It is the will of Providence, not the artificial rule of society, that what we call imprudence shall receive the penalty of crime. If you doubt this assertion, refer to the pages of that profound divine of our church, who has explained and justified the ways of God to

man:

"There is a certain bound to imprudence and misbehaviour, which, being transgressed, there remains no place for repentance in the natural course of things. It is further very

much to be remarked, that neglects from inconsiderateness, want of attention, not looking about us to see what we have to do, are often attended with consequences altogether as dreadful as any active misbehaviour from the most extravagant passion."-Butler's Analogy.

Why carelessness should often be punished in this world more heavily than guilt; why improvidence should be visited with the penalty of crime-it is not for me to enquire. We must respect those decrees of heaven, of which we imperfectly understand the reason. It is the mission of men like Mr. Laneton to enforce obedience to this law. Though their office be hateful, its action may be salutary; and, like those terrible epidemics which creep on us from contempt of nature's rules, they may serve to maintain moral healthfulness, by occasionally exhibiting the frightful consequences which result from their neglect.

On quitting Roehampton, Mr. Laneton dined alone; and after settling in his mind some transactions of the day, as he sat at dessert, he thought of the marchioness's fête, of the persons he had met, how many of them were his creditors, what ones were nearly ripe, what ones were only in the act of ston

ing, and then methodically advancing from point to point, for he never suffered his thoughts to wander, he came to Tremore, and conceived it would be only good-natured to show him some attention, as he was so new to life. With this view he decided on making him known to his daughter Una. That settled, he rang for coffee, and went to the drawing-room.

The household of Mr. Laneton was presided over by a distant relative. Mrs. Priscilla Heartsbane was a lady of independent fortune, very stiff, very prejudiced, very selfish, of a narrow mind, and pharisaically strict in her religious observances. She would have been a Methodist but for her fear of compromising her gentility, and but for her respect for episcopacy, and especially for its establishments and equipages. She approached, however, as near dissent as she could to keep within the pale of the church; she entered into an active correspondence with Mr. Gorham, and made her subscription to a village school dependent on the prohibition of the catechism. She frequently had fierce quarrels with Mr. Laneton; but charitably remembered him in her devotions as a "man of wrath," praying that he might be

plucked "as a brand from the burning." Though not quite satisfied to preside over his lax household, for he gave dinners on Sunday as commonly as on any other day, she yet could not resist the temptation of being mistress of his handsome establishment, and of being, as she said, a companion to her dear Una, whom she lost no opportunity of thwarting and plaguing. The shy, yet high-spirited girl resented her interference, and could scarcely be persuaded to enjoy the pleasures and advantages of her society.

Mr. Laneton asked for his daughter as he entered the room. She was in her own apartments. He rang for her maid, and sent a particular message that he wished to see Miss Laneton. In a few moments the

girl returned. "Her mistress was very sorry; but she had a headache, and had retired to rest."

CHAPTER XVI.

The passions now begin to exert a powerful influence on the health; it is now that the mind rushes into a new world, and is prone to receive lasting impressions either of good or of evil; new thoughts, new feelings engage the attention, and the ideas and habits now acquired, whether amiable or vicious, frequently become a part of our future existence.-DR. CRONIN.

WHEN Mr. Laneton was alone with his relative, he carelessly asked her what she thought of his daughter. The lady put on a look of mysterious reserve, as she answered

"I hardly like to tell you what I think of her. She has such very strange notions."

"She is an odd girl, I know; but what strange notions has she?"

66

'Why, very improper notions, Mr. Laneton, in my opinion, for a young lady. She says she cannot understand the world."

"That," said Mr. Laneton, laughingly, might puzzle wiser heads than hers. But how does she explain herself?"