anger against me was from this cause; that since the naughty gentleman had become acquainted with me, he had taken less notice of her than he had done before.

When I found that this was the case, I wiped away my tears, and getting up and coming towards her, my dear Charlotte, said I, if we have either of us ever talked of the Captain, or being led by him to do any thing wrong, which however I hope is not so, let us repent and be sorry for our faults, and let us think of him no more, but turn our hearts to some better thing. Do not let us add to our faults by reproaching each other, and blazing each others follies abroad in the world.

O you little artful hussey, said she, what would you have it thought that I am a partner in your faults? I think of the Captain! I hate the Captain. I would rather marry a blind beggar out of the street than such a gentleman. But, thank Heaven, he is going out of the country; he has given warning to leave his lodgings. He is going abroad to the wars, and may the first shot that is fired bring death to him.

Whilst she spoke these wicked words, my mistress looked towards me with so keen a look, that I could have thought she was searching into my very heart. But she could see nothing there, God be praised, but hatred

of Charlotte's wickedness; for although I could not join with her in wishing that the poor gentleman should die, yet I was not sorry to hear that he was going out of the country; for as I was not a great lady fit to be his wife, it was better for him and for me, that we should meet no more.

But I will say no more, added Susan Gray, upon this subject. The hours of my life draw fast to their close; I may have but a few days only in which to finish my

story.

sad

And so that I may not run too much into length, I will say in a few words that the next day when I went to do some errands in Ludlow, I found, alas! that I was not re-. garded in the light I had formerly been. Some of the young men of the town laughed and looked after me as I passed, as if they thought lightly of me. Mrs. Fell, the gro cer's wife, told me plainly, that say what I would, she could not but believe that I had been very inconsiderate; and Mrs. Hand, the mantua-maker, who had promised to get me a place, told me that she could not now answer for my character, although I might perhaps be belied. And on this occasion, said Susan, I cannot help remarking how very careful people should be how they credit tales that go abroad, for many a poor girl has, I fear, been made desperate by

worthy people denying her their notice and countenance upon a light suspicion.

I came home as you may suppose unusually sad and cast down. I had not a dry eye the whole day sometimes I could scarcely help thinking that I was dealt too hardly by; and once I was so foolish as to wish very earnestly that I were a rich lady to marry the Captain; then I thought that I should be above the contempt and abuse of the world; and if the Captain loved me as he said he did, I could make him very happy, and persuade him to be good. But this was a foolish wish, and had God Almighty granted it to me, I might perhaps in prosperity have forgotten to serve him, and as our blessed Lord says, "What is a man profitted, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Matt. xvi. 26.

But I thank God that these foolish thoughts did not long employ my mind; the following day was Sunday, and then I went twice to our little village church, and humbled myself before God, and prayed him to forgive my murmurings, and if not in this world, yet in that which is to come, to turn my sorrow into joy. Then I thought of how little signification it was what my fate might be in this world, nay I even thought that it was perhaps better for me that I should be afflicted; for as the wise king Solomon

says, "Despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither be weary of his correction, for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth.” Prov. iii. 11, 12.

After my prayers I was much more composed and contented in my mind, and hearkened with great pleasure and delight to the ninetieth psalm, which was sung by twelve pretty little children, who were put to school and clothed by the squire's lady. If you please, said Susan Gray, I will repeat part of this psalm, if it is not quite fresh in your mind, that you may think what a fine lesson there is in it to all persons, who being in high health and strength think that they shall live many years, and are full of anxious thoughts what they shall eat, or what they shall drink, or wherewithal they shall be clothed, for who knows what a day may bring forth.

Thou turnest man, O Lord, to dust,

Of which he first was made;

And when thou speak'st the word return,
'Tis instantly obeyed.

Thou sweep'st us off as with a flood,
We vanish hence like dreams;
At first we grow like grass that feels
The sun's reviving beams.

But however fresh and fair

It's morning beauty shews,

'Tis all cut down and wither'd quite
Before the evening close.

So teach us, Lord, the uncertain sum
Of our short days to mind,
That to true wisdom all our hearts
May ever be inclined.

When I heard this psalm I was in as good health as I had ever been in my life, and being very young, death seemed far from me: yet since that time, I have never been able to serve my God in his holy house, and never now shall enter a church till I am carried thither in my coffin. Before a week was gone I was seized with that mortal sickness, which soon will cut me down and wither me away.

But to return to my story. When I got home in the evening, my mistress asked me if I would go with her to drink tea with a friend in town, and see some of the preparations for the fair which was to be the next day.

Alas! said I, what have I to do with visits and fairs? I who am now in such a sad disgrace among my friends?

Well but, said she, if you stay at home, people will say the Captain will be with you. I cannot help that, said I; I shall shut the door and bar the windows when you are gone, and will remain in my own little room, nor will I see any one who comes.

She said a great deal, trying to persuade me to go with her; but I was steady, and although it made her very angry, yet I would tI