him alone. He came to tell me he was going out as a missionary. Uncle, I was distressed. My heart told me I loved him. He saw me weeping, and he drew from me the history of my love. I told him I would go with him. He gently and tenderly represented the dangers I must submit to in the life I should have to encounter. I cared not for them. Then we only knew we loved deeply and truly. Uncle, you cannot, will not blame me when I tell you how entirely I love Mr Langford, and how willingly I sacrifice everything to be his fellow-labourer."

She looked earnestly in his face. A momentary cloud had passed over it. Then he gazed upon her pleading face, and he kissed her.

66

My own devoted girl!" he said; and then a pause ensued.

"And you do not object? Oh, uncle, how can I ever thank you!"

"I do not object to Mr Langford-far from it. For some time I have been convinced you and he were formed for one another. There is no man on earth, be he who he may, I honour so highly. But, my darling girl, your talents and his will be lost-buried completely in such an undertaking. I can hardly bear to think of such a thing, unless he is going to India."

"I never asked him where his destination was. It is all the same to me," said Clara-the happy smile once more returning to her face.

"You romantic girl! Why, Clara, you are a complete heroine !"

"No, not that; it would be such a happiness to live and labour with him."

"But, my dear, you ought to consider your own health. For instance, Sierra Leone has been called the White Man's Grave. I cannot give my sanction to any place unless the climate is good. But you little know, Clara, how I shall feel your loss. Very dear you have grown to me. If you go, I shall feel inclined to start again for India—I shall have no object in life then. Nevertheless, I cannot blame you. You are doing just what I might have expected from you-giving up your whole energies to work for a good cause. You will be rewarded for it."

"I feel unworthy of any reward. And, dear uncle, I should not like you for a moment to suppose either Mr Langford or I have any feeling that it is meritorious to do as we intend. Far from it. We desire simply to work for the love of Christ, and always to feel, when we have done all, we are but unprofitable servants. I must ever feel thus. How many, very many precious years have I wasted, when they might have been spent in God's service! I cannot recall them. So I must endeavour, while I may, to work; for soon the night cometh when no man can work."

"I wish I could feel more like you, Clara. Religion like yours must claim the highest respect. I cannot withhold my consent; and I will protect you from those who will. May God bless you, my dear child!" He clasped her in a close embrace, and then they parted for the night.

"

CHAPTER XVIII.

"Soldier, go! but not to claim

Mouldering spoils of earth-born treasure

Not to build a vaunting name,

Not to dwell in tents of pleasure.

Dream not that the way is smooth-
Hope not that the thorns are roses;

Turn no wistful eye of youth

Where the sunny beam reposes.
Thou hast sterner work to do-

Hosts to cut thy passage through.

Close behind, the gulphs are burning:
Forward!-there is no returning."

CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH.

LONG after Clara had left him, Sir Alfred Howard remained thinking deeply. He was not unprepared to hear from Clara that she was the affianced bride of Mr Langford. He had always had a presentiment they would be united; but he was startled when he heard the announcement of their plan of going out as missionaries. He knew it was no day-dream—no romantic, impulsive characters who had adopted the idea—it was evident their hearts were in it. What motive could either of them have save the love of Christ, and the desire to win souls? What devotion! What holy zeal for the cause of truth! What self-denial! How much each must sacrifice-Clara more especially! She who had been nursed in the lap of

luxury, had everything her heart could desire, or wealth could purchase-what a constraining love for Christ must she have to be ready to relinquish her beautiful home and country without one wish to retain it! Sir Alfred's heart smote him. His past life came forcibly upon him. He placed himself in Mr Langford's position-could he go and do likewise? His heart said "No." Then all was not well; if not ready to give up earthly happiness, he was not fit to be Christ's. "They have taught me a lesson I trust I shall not soon forget," he murmured, as he reached down the old family Bible, and rung for the evening prayers. When they were concluded, Miss

Hamilton remained. For a moment, she was cold and petrified as ever. Then suddenly she rose and exclaimed, vehemently-" I hope, Sir Alfred, you have spoken very decidedly to Clara on this absurd affair, and that you will never again permit her to see Mr Langford ?"

"I shall do no such thing. Clara was very much harassed this evening by the scene she has gone through with you, and I begged her to retire early; and I trust you will not mention the subject again to her. No reasonable objection can be made to the marriage; and even were it against our wishes, Clara is of age to choose for herself and I do not think, Miss Hamilton, it quite becomes you to interfere in the way you have done.”

"I have a right to interfere, to prevent Clara disgracing the family. Pray, who was Mr Langford's father? What do you know of his family?"

"I know that his father was a gentleman of the highest respectability, with ample fortune, which, however, was entirely lost by the sudden failure of a bank. But," continued

Sir Alfred, firmly, "if his father had been a blacksmith, what difference ought it to make in our regard for his son ? Mr Langford is a gentleman in mind and manner-a talented, noble-hearted, and, above all, religious man. What more can you desire ?"

"I did not come here to listen to a panegyric on Mr Langford," said Miss Hamilton, sarcastically.

"You have brought it upon yourself. I had no desire to renew the subject of my niece's engagement with you," replied Sir Alfred, quietly.

"Neither will I continue it. Before I sleep this night, I shall write to my brother."

"You can do so, if you wish it; but it will make no difference. As I told you before, Clara is of age."

"That is of no consequence. She shall be made to give it up, or I renounce her for ever."

Sir Alfred vainly endeavoured to restrain a smile at this announcement, intended to be so startling.

"Why do you smile?" exclaimed Miss Hamilton, angrily.

"I must apologise. I did not intend it."

But Aunt Lydia would not be appeased. She was resolute in trying to provoke a quarrel; and broke forth into vehement expressions of anger. Sir Alfred, finding himself growing warm, rose, saying—" Good-night. I really cannot remain longer, lest I should forget who you are,” and he left the room.

Meanwhile, Clara had retired to her room, after leaving her uncle, to try to collect her scattered thoughts. It was almost the first moment she had had alone since Mr Langford left her. Now that the encounter with her