160 THE OLD CLERGYMAN'S STORY. Mr. Seymour, Willie, and Herbert; and was pleased to find a very large congregation, to join with us in commending the babe to that gracious Saviour, who said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." Earnestly did we join in prayer that this little one might continue the rest of her life according to this beginning; and I firmly believe that the prayers there offered in sincerity, were most assuredly accepted at the throne of grace, for never did a brighter example of Christian consistency gladden this earth, than the fair young Lena Seymour, the child of many prayers. The chief desire of her excellent parents, was to see their children humble followers of the Lamb; and never were father and mother more blessed in their offspring. The ceremony being over, the organ peeled forth a cheerful chorus; the sweet church bells joined in with their merry anthem; the sun seemed to shine out even yet more gladly; banners waved in different directions, which the simple attached villagers had made in honour of their little lady's christening day; whilst in their turn, they received presents of food and clothing, during the afternoon, distributed to them by Mr. and Mrs. Seymour and their lovely children; I stood by helping them in their pleasant labours, and feeling most truly happy. Time passed on, a year, then another. I loved them all, those dear kind Seymours, the good master and mistress! those sweet noble boys! the pretty THE OLD CLERGYMAN'S STORY. 161 place itself came in for a share of my attachment. But most of all, I loved the little cherub Lena, beautiful as an angel; fair, surpassingly fair! Even then in her babyhood, how calmly intelligent were her soft hazel eyes, how mild and thoughtful her brow, how seraphic her smile! But I was at length called to leave this happy spot, to tear myself from these friends so very dear. The Vicar returned from the Continent, where he had been residing for his health. That was now re-established, and he had no reason for staying longer from his people. I believe I must confess, although it may seem conceited, that a good deal of regret was experienced by the Seymours on my removal; it was their nature to love, and so they loved me. The poor, too, seemed sorry; and oh! how sad was my heart at leaving them all! My chief comfort, however, was not a slight one; I was not leaving them uncared for, as Mr. Vernon was a truly Christian man, and a watchful shepherd of souls. I gained, through the kindness of friends, another curacy, better as to emolument, but not so pleasant as to situation; and far less delightful as a scene of ministerial labour: but it was God's will to place me there, and I strove not to murmur. And if I had no other blessing whilst in England, I had one rich gift bestowed on me, in the becoming possessed of one of the most devoted and sweetest of wives. Yes, my gentle Constance, I pay this heartfelt M 162 but a THE OLD CLERGYMAN'S STORY. tribute to thy pure memory: thy price was above rubies! "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” * Is not this sufficient? My Constance feared the Lord, and had all her delight in doing His will; she strove, too, to lead others to Him. She has now fulness of joy for evermore, whilst I am left a little longer to travel the journey of life alone. Associated with the remembrance of the years I then passed in England, are some thoughts replete with happiness. It was the birth-place of my children. Sweet little things! ye soon passed away, though, and left us more lonely than before. Fancy brings again to my ear, the silvery tones of my little Lucy, and the joyous laugh of her darling brother. But all these, my precious Constance and her two babes, all are gone. I must not, however, dwell on this, for, as I said before, I am not writing of myself, or of my own concerns, any more than is necessary to the carrying on of my little tale. * Proverbs xxxi. 30. THE OLD CLERGYMAN'S STORY. 163 CHAPTER XXIII. AFTER spending fifteen years away from L——, I was recalled to it, and this time not as curate, but vicar. Mr. Vernon was dead, and my kind friend Mr. Seymour interested himself to get me appointed to the vacant living. In this he succeeded, and my readers will not feel much surprised to find, that I experienced great pleasure in once more establishing myself in the dear old vicarage. My gentle Constance, too, smiled, and was happy, and looked forward with delight to visiting with me my different old friends, rich or poor, all of whom she had often heard me speak of with interest. We arrived late one Saturday evening in the early autumn; too late to see any one that night, but we found kind messages awaiting us. I had to preach, indeed to enter on all my duties, the next morning; but being very tired from the journey, I did not visit the early school, so that I saw no old faces until church time. I entered the desk, and after finding the Lessons, &c., having two or three minutes to spare, I cast my eye around upon 164 THE OLD CLERGYMAN'S STORY. the congregation. I was pleased to see many I knew, but of course many I did not remember, as those that were children when I left, were now young men and women. I looked at the squire's pew. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Seymour were there, and one handsome young man, in whom I thought I recognized the little George; and beside the mother sat a lovely girl, I knew at once to be my former pet Lena. She was now in the full meridian of girlish beauty; her soft cheek rounded with health, her dark eyes bright with intelligence, her glossy natural curls of a golden chesnut, simply braided back from her broad, high forehead. But there was still the same angelic expression on those cherub lips, the same calmness in the gaze of those eyes, and on that sweet, fair brow, that I had so admired in her infant days. I never saw so lovely a young creature! I could not help looking at her, and I soon discovered that I was not the only one who looked in that direction. I had heard that the Castle had been occupied again of late. It had been shut up during the minority of the young lord; but on coming of age, he had returned to it, and had resolved to spend some time in the neighbourhood. It was from the manor pew then, that another gazer looked on that fair young face; nor was the face that turned towards Lena, nor were the eyes that dwelt on her, far inferior to her own. Percy, Earl of Claremont, was magnificently handsome, and as I |