never be purchased; and when I asked her what she meant, she said, she wished to dispose of them for the purpose of assisting dear Mamma; so I requested her to teach me, as she drew so nicely; and I begged one of her drawings to keep for her sake; and though she picked out the worst, as she told me, yet it is very pretty, and I have brought it with me for you, Papa; here it is ;" and he drew from his waistcoat pocket a landscape. The enraptured father pressed his affectionate daughter to his breast; "Beloved Geraldine," he exclaimed,

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Why should you be ashamed to shew me your performance; it does you great credit my love, and your instructress deserves your best thanks. Go on, my dear girl, and I trust your industry will one day be rewarded; while you continue thus a comfort to your mother, you will be happy. Put your trust in God, and, be assured, he will not desert you, though in the midst of trouble." Tears of sensibility bedewed the fond father's cheeks. "Do not cry, dear Papa,” exclaimed Tommy, "I will be all you wish!— I will visit you often-I will talk to you—I will

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" I

amuse you;"-and the little prattler smiled through his tears. "Ah," said Mr. Somerville to his wife, while gazing on the countenance of his beloved boy, "this is not the smile of pleasure, but of care-pale as the sunbeam through a stormy sky."-"It is the smile of innocence," replied Mrs. Somerville; but I must leave you, my dear husband, although hope has long been but a glimmering star, be assured its rays will eventually guide us to hap>iness; to morrow we will meet again." hope so, my dear Laura ; though' such partings break the heart they fondly hope to heal;' but we must part; yet what delight are these meetings to me; alas, though hope is but a glimmering star, yet even in the darkest night it shoots across my path, telling me still to follow her track.-Good night, my love, I detain you, and you will be late. Have the kindness, my dear Laura, to bring me another book next time you come." "I have brought you one, my dear, for your perusal, Heber's Palestine;" and marked my favorite passages, which I know you wish ne to do. Good night, dear Edmund.” “God bless you, my beloved Laura, come early to

morrow; embrace me, my sweet children, and may God protect you.”

Mrs. Somerville, with Geraldine and Tommy, returned home; she went early to bed, not to sleep, but to think, undisturbed, of him she loved so dearly; 'sleep seldom visits sorrow, when it doth, it is a comforter.'

CHAPTER IV.

"Tis better to be lowly born,

And range with humble livers in content,
Than to be per'd up in a glistering grief
And mean a golden sorrow.

SHAKESPEARE'S HENRY 8th.

THE Evening appointed for Mrs. Rundle's Ball arrived, and Mrs. Somerville, with Geraldine and Tommy, proceeded to the festive scene; the room was already filled with an assemblage of beanty and fashion. With a heavy heart, but a smiling countenance, she entered the apartment; her name was announced, and Mrs. Rundle immediately advanced to welcome her. "I'm glad you are come; don't we look gay to night," said she, in an extacy of joy, "observe my chandeliers; are they not brilliant? I put on this new pink sattin dress, and pink sattin turban, on purpose to honor their first appearance." "And for another reason also, I think," said a young lady, who often indulged her satire at the ex

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pence of Mrs. Rundle, " you expect a gentleman this evening, who was so gallant as to present you with the tassels of his military cap, with which you have ornamented your new turban."-" Oh! bless me: what a story," said Mrs. Rundle, interrupting her," you talk yourself out of breath, but I must away, for my presence is required every where." And away she flew, to talk and laugh with others more suited to her flippant conversation; and followed by the satirical lady, who lost no opportunity of indulging in her usual, and, as she imagined, clever repartees.

Mrs. Somerville, who had taken a seat on a sopha, distant from the gay scene, was soon lost in her own reflections; few of the present company were known to her, and to those few she was so indifferent, that she wished to avoid their scrutinizing gaze; her unfortunate circumstances were known to all, for Mrs. Rundle had long since taken care to publish them.

If there is a very beautiful or a very ugly person, a funeral, or wedding, the world are sure to notice it particularly.-If any one is known to be peculiarly rich, and high in life,