simple question, for, alas! abroad English people are too apt to copy foreign ways; and though in Edith's mother's lifetime, morning and evening family prayers were never neglected at Harrington Court, after his second marriage little heed had been given to sacred things, and since his return to his home, they had never been thought of, much less re-established.

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Why, dearest, the fact is, we don't have any, it is not the way abroad, and we have hardly got settled here into regular habits; and, to say the truth, my dear child, it has never crossed my mind. I am afraid I have never given much thought to such things since your poor mother died, but I remember then, we always had the servants in at nine in the morning, and at ten at night for prayers, and she used to read an explanation of some part of the Bible also; and so I am sure it was right, and we will begin it again. I am very glad you have come home, to remind me of these things," and he kissed her fondly as he wished her good night.

She was leaving the room, when a thought struck her, and turning back, she said

"Dear papa, you will not mention to any one that I made this remark about prayers, please, will you?"

"Not if you have an objection to my doing so, dearest, certainly; but why not? it would seem a reason for the new custom," replied her father."

"Oh, I would rather not, for it would seem as if I were taking too much on myself, and interfering as a young girl ought not; besides, dearest papa, you have been, as you say, unsettled, and often from home lately. Christmas and the new year is a nice season for beginning such a course, and will not, therefore, appear strange.'

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"Very well, as you like, Edith, but I don't know or remember what book we used. I don't think I could at first do anything more than read the prayers. Can you tell me the name of any good ones? I dare say you know what Mrs. Sinclair used."

“Oh, yes, dear papa, I will write down the names for you, and then you can order the books when you go into Compton."

Edith went to bed very grateful to the Heavenly Father who had given her so kind

an earthly one, and feeling much happier than she had the previous night thought it possible she should have been on her first arrival at Harrington, though she missed dear Mrs. Sinclair's accustomed caress at parting for the night. She prayed that her dear father's fondness and kind indulgence of her wishes might never make her conceited or forgetful of the many failings she had to struggle against; but she could not but be very thankful that family worship would be again established, without which, she had been taught to feel, no blessing could be expected to rest on a household, or peace and unity reign among the members of the family circle; and repeating the last verse of her favourite evening hymn

"Come near and bless us when we wake,
Ere through the world our way we take,

Till in the ocean of thy love

We lose ourselves in heaven above-❞

Edith fell happily asleep.

WHEN she first awoke next morning at her usual hour of seven o'clock, she had sprung out of bed, forgetting where she now was, till drawing aside the curtains, she looked out in the dim light on the Park and fine old avenue. However, because she was no longer at school, was not a reason for wasting valuable hours in bed, and knowing that she had a lurking weakness for that folly, she resolved to begin as she hoped and desired to go on. Edith also remembered what Mrs. Sinclair

had told her, that the early hours might be the only ones she could secure to herself for quiet reading of her Bible and reflection on holy things, so she dressed, and had sat down to read, when the housemaid, knocking, offered to light the fire.

"Thank you, I shall not require one, unless the weather gets much colder. What is the usual breakfast hour?" asked Edith.

"Master breakfasts at nine o'clock, but mistress and Miss Merton never come down till much later; and after a party, Miss Merton mostly has hers upstairs."

A few minutes before nine, Edith went into the breakfast-room, and found her father already there, who congratulated her on her bright looks, adding

"It will be very nice to have some one to make breakfast for me. I shall make it over to you for the future, Edith."

She took her place as he desired at the table, saying, "I shall soon learn how you like your tea; if it is not to your taste, pray tell me so." When breakfast was nearly completed Mrs. Howard entered the room, and exclaiming