prudence, (I remember the exact words.) and publicly presented you with the beautiful medal, wishing there were more in his dominions as brave and noble, and " “Enough, my child, I find you have already heard more than I intended to communicate. This Knight's name is Sir Envy; and he has lately inhabited a very strong castle, about ten miles off, so famous for the numerous prisoners which were formerly confined in its dungeons, that it is commonly called Captive Castle. On the day to which you have referred,” continued Sir Elbert, “ he took a solemn oath that he would he revenged upon me sooner or later. As he has since then married a most amiable lady, perhaps he may now be of a better spirit. Becoming a parent tends to soften the heart; and it is said he has three lovely children.” “Do you think, papa, that Sir Envy is at home now?" “I only know," answered her father, " that the Duke is displeased with him, and does not desire his attendance at this time. Our castle must be strictly guarded. I purpose sending to-morrow for good Burks and his wife, who will have an eye upon the movements of the servants; and Agnes will be a comfort to you, and afford you some amusement. You have been too long confined with me, and I need little nursing now.” Alas! there was among the domestics a wicked, ungrateful man, that had once robbed this good master and been forgiven, who rode that very evening on Sir Elbert's fleetest horse to his still bitter foe, and offered for a large sum of money to open a small door at the back of Happy Castle, and admit Sir Envy and his soldiers, the first night after the departure of Sir Elbert's brave and faithful followers. Shirley, 1848. Eliza Weaver BRADBURN. THE LITTLE FLOWER-GIRL. SURROUNDED by beautiful hills, interspersed with the luxuriant foliage of numberless trees, lay retired in a deep valley the lovely village of Kneighton. On a calm, clear evening to stand upon the summit of one high grassy hill, and gaze as far over the landscape as the eye could reach, was indeed a sweet delight: the tinkle of the sheep-bеll seemed to join in choral harmony with the little rippling brook close by, and the quiet chirps of retiring songsters. One day, having seated myself upon a mound, with the rivulet in view, I éspied, walking by the edge of the water, a little girl, dressed in deep mourning. She was busily occupied in throwing, one by one, into the stream, primroses, which I conjectured she must have gathered early in the day, and they had consequently become quite withered. It seemed I was right; for on inquiring of the little one, as she was passing close beside me, why she had treated her flowers thus, “Sir," said the child, with tears in her eyes, “my little sister used to be with me, and then we gathered a great many, and they were so beautiful, and smelt so sweet !” “But, my dear child,” said I, “you have not given me a reason why the flowers were thrown into the stream.” “Sir," replied the little maiden, blushing, “I was thinking so very much of my dear Lucy; I threw away the roses because they were quite dead. I have to go a long way to find them; and before Lucy died we had plenty to take to kind ladies who would buy them.” I took the hand of this interesting child, and was by her led to her widowed mother's cottage. My companion lifted the little latch, and we entered, The scanty furniture was poor, but all presented a clean and tidy appearance. After some conversation, I found the mother of the little girl was a truly Christian lady, although appearing to be in straitened circumstances; and in the course of repeated visits, I was informed by her that she was the wife of an officer who had died abroad, leaving her and two little girls to bewail his loss. His parents, who were Roman Catholics, were adverse to his union with this lady because she was a Protestant, and not rich; but as Lucy (the lady's name) was his only choice, and as he had through her instrumentality become convinced of the errors of Popery, he felt that his earthly happiness was centred in her. They were married, and lived in happy union for two or three years, when Rodolph was called abroad, whence he never returned ; being seized with a malignant fever, and had but just time to send a few endearing words to his be loved wife and little ones, and fifty dollars which he had by him. The lady farther informed me that she immediately came to the little cottage in which we were then sitting; and having bought mourning for herself and children, she set about cultivating her little garden, which was very productive. She also procured muslin and net, which she made into caps, cuffs, &c., and sold to the ladies of the surrounding neighbourhood : this, with the rent of two small houses, which had been left to her by her guardian, enabled her to live pretty comfortably. The lady had lost her dear Lucy about five weeks before I met Emily. From this time, as often as my little flower-girl went to the woody copse to look for primroses, I was her companion, and many were the bunches of beauty this little darling and I tied with narrow blue ribbon as we sat upon some grassy slope, talking of the happy Lucy now in heaven, saved through faith in our great Redeemer. Emily would sometimes ask me to pray that she, and I, and her mamma, might participate, when we died, in that blessedness which her papa and Lucy will for ever enjoy; and there knelt that dear one with her hands clasped, and her heart pouring forth its silent breathings to Almighty God, who hears little children when they pray. Many years have passed since I visited that sweet spot; but I shall never forget the active, sincere piety of Lucy M. and her darling Emily. F. M. |