Charlotte, I am very easy about that; for I shall only do to her as she does to others, even to the very best of her friends. For not a day passes, to my knowledge, but she cheats some of her customers; and as to telling lies, she minds them not the least when she can get a few pence by them.

But, said I, if she is so wicked as to deceive, and lie, and cheat, is that any reason that you should do the same? Remember these words, my dear Charlotte, which are taken from the holy Bible: "All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." Rev. xxi. 8.

But I am resolved answered she, to have the gown, so you may spare your preaching; only I beg you to say nothing about it.

Will you answer me one question, Charlotte, said I. How did you get that half guinea which you have already given for your gown? I know that but last week you told Mrs. Bennet that you had spent all you had in the world on a new hat,

Oh! I am not obliged to tell you that, said she laughing; but all I will say is, that I got it where I hope to get more.

I begin to be much afraid for you, said I; this love of fine clothes will one day or other end in some sad evil. Indeed my dear Charlotte, I beg you to think no more of this silk gown; be assured that if you could

even get it honestly, no one would honor you the more for being dressed above your station; any undue degree of finery shews vanity and pride, if not something worse. Nor is it right for us to spend all that we have upon ourselves, little as that may be : If we deny ourselves some few pieces of finery, or even some few comforts, that we may give a little to those who are in greater want than ourselves, God will reward us tenfold but if we greedily and selfishly spend all we can earn upon ourselves, our Lord, I fear, will say to us at the great day of judgment," Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil. and his angels. For I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick and in prison, and ye visited me not." Matt. xxv. 41, 42, 43.

I think as you do, Susan, said Charlotte, that rich people ought to spare some of their abundance to give to the poor, but you know that we are not rich.

As to you, Charlotte, I answered, who have so many of the good things of this world, who have money to spend on gloves, and ribbons, and laces, and fine gowns; can you say that you have nothing to spare to the poor? I have less than you possess, and

am obliged to work hard for what I have; but like the poor widow I think it my duty to give my mite to the poor. And I remember what St. Paul says to the man who has been a thief; "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." Eph. iv. 28. And I could repeat to you twenty other texts in the Bible, to exhort and command us to take pity on the poor, and to love our neighbours as well as ourselves; which we cannot be said to do, when we lay out all the money we can earn in decking ourselves forth, or pampering ourselves with delicate food.

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You have a vast deal to say, Susan, said Charlotte but I do not think, with all your fine talking, that I shall give up my silk gown.

Now, my dear Charlotte, said I, if you will promise to think no more of this silk gown, and will for a few years be content to wear humble garments, and to give of what you save to those who are in need, I think I can promise, that at the end of that time, you shall have a finer gown than any lady's in the kingdom; yes, a richer gown than any queen ever wore on a birth-night.

Charlotte smiled, and asked me what I meant?

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This gown, said I, that I promise you, shall be as white as snow, and as bright as the sun; it will never soil, and never wear away; no moths shall ever corrupt it, nor shall any thieves steal it from you.

Why, Susan, said Charlotte, of what are you talking? I do not understand you.

And with this beautiful gown, added I, you shall wear a crown of precious stones as bright as the stars in the heavens. Oh! my dear Charlotte, if you would but think less of this world with all its vanities; if you will resist its temptations, and endeavor to serve your God, you shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of the Father, and enjoy pleasures for evermore in the presence of God.

Oh! now I understand you cried Charlotte: you had quite puzzled me with your shining gown. It reminds me of the fine silver lace upon the Captain's waistcoat; you have no notion how handsome he looked in it.

I believe that I surprised her a little; for the moment she mentioned the Captain, I got up and carried my chair into the house, where I sat down at some distance from her. What is the matter, Susan, said she, why you run away?

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Because I do not choose to hear any thing said about that gentleman. What business

have we poor girls to be talking and joking about a Captain? I heard too much of these jésts, Charlotte, last night; and whatever you may think of me, I am resolved that I will hear none of them to-day.

She got up, and coming to the door of the house, stood leaning with her back against the post, laughing at me for some minutes; calling me more nice than wise, prudish, and squeamish, and what not.

But I made no answer, remembering that it is said, "the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves." 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25.

While she continued to laugh at me, two young men belonging to the town, came running through the wood down the side. of the garden. As they passed by the house thay saw Charlotte, and one of them called to her, the other went on to the town.

She no sooner heard his voice, than she ran to the wicket, and there stood talking and laughing with him till our dinner was ready.

As soon as dinner was over, she told me that she was tired of work, and wishing me a good day, took her leave.

I had finished two of the shirts, and washed then on Saturday evening, and on