and at the same time, the anguish she experienced in the thought, that she was now to lose her whom she loved as her best earthly friend and instructress, and the book (for Margaret dared not leave it behind) which alone could point out the way of salvation. Fancy may endeavour to realize her feelings, but the pen would attempt in vain to describe them.

They talked and wept, and wept and talked with each other, till it was time for Jane to retire. And now Margaret summoned up all her resolution, and strove to comfort the mind of Jane, by directing her to earnest prayer and implicit confidence in God. She selected and read suitable portions to her of the Sacred Word; and after Jane had laid upon her pillow, Margaret prayed earnestly to God, beseeching him to succour them in this time of aeed; to overrule all for their good and his own glory; if consistent with his will, to open the way for them to be restored to each other again; and if not, to keep Jane faithful even unto death; that the God of the parents might be the God of their child.

After this prayer, Jane said to her, "Amid all my fears, Margaret, I do think that God will restore you to me again; I shall continue

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to pray for it." Margaret did not dare to hope so, but fearing to add to the already heavy trouble of her charge, still encouraged her to pray for it, and to await God's holy will.

They slept but little either of them that night; indeed, how could they? Margaret was oppressed with sorrow; she feared also that obstacles would be thrown in the way with regard to another place, and that her character would be injured by misrepresentation. She strove, indeed, to stay herself on God; but there was something so mysteriously painful in the providential dispensation, that her spirits were quite depressed. While Jane experienced such various and combined emotions, at one moment delighted with the idea of her father and mother being eminently pious, and then the sudden damp overspreading all her other thoughts by the idea of Margaret's removal, it was not till after some hours she fell into a sound sleep; and when she awoke, it was only time enough to receive the morning attentions of Margaret, and to bid her adieu.

Mrs. Slade entered the apartment of Jane soon after she awoke, and waited to see Margaret take her farewell and remove her baggage; so that though Jane felt severely that

she could not have further converse with Margaret, and bid her good-bye as affectionately as she wished, she was, notwithstanding, compelled in some degree to restrain her feelings.

CHAPTER V.

As soon as Margaret got home, she informed her mother of the whole affair which had hap pened at Mr. Slade's; and having so done, she went immediately to Miss O'Brien to ask her advice, how in such circumstances she should act, as well as to inform her of the state of Jane.

Ever since the period when Margaret lost her beloved teacher from the Sunday-school, she had been accustomed to look up to Miss O'Brien, her teacher's friend, with the greatest reverence, and in all her difficulties to consult her. This lady, in many respects, resembled her departed friend. She was eminently pious; she had encountered great persecutions for conscience' sake, and took a deep interest in encouraging and helping young persons in the

ways of God: to her, therefore, Margaret betook herself, and gave her a narrative of all that occurred from her first entrance into Mr. Slade's house, until the time of her discharge.

Miss O'Brien's eyes glistened with delight as she listened to the account of Jane's conversion. She could not help, again and again, breaking out into exclamations-" Wonderful proof of the Divine fidelity! Surely God is the hearer and answerer of prayer! Well did Solomon say, 'A good man leaveth an inheritance unto his children's children,' and a large part of this inheritance is his prayers, which God answers to them."

When Margaret had finished her narrative, Miss O'Brien, who was now an experienced Christian, strove to comfort her. "I deeply sympathize with you, Margaret,” said she, "and I sincerely commiserate the dear little girl; to each of you it is a painful trial, but fear not, God is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working,' and I trust you will see this to be one of the dark shades in the picture, which will ultimately make the lights to appear the brighter."

"I pray God," said Margaret, "it may be so; but I am very unbelieving about it. I fear

for the dear little girl; for if they do not persecute her, they will mar her comfort."

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Well," said Miss O'Brien, "be it so; she is in the hands of Him, who 'foldeth the lambs in his arms, and carrieth them in his bosom ;' He will take care of her. When one spring is dried up, He can open another. He can make rocks to gush forth into streams, and the carcass of a lion to produce honey. Do not fear, Margaret; I consider this as an evidence of her adoption, for whom God loves he chastens. Why are you faithless? Look at the history of providence, and you will always see that God has made the most unlikely things the means of doing good to his people. The sale of Joseph, and the cruelty of his brethren, were the means of his advancement-the malignity of Pharaoh was the cause of Israel's triumph-the wrath of Nebuchadnezzar was the occasion of honour to the three Hebrew children. Depend on it, God is only preparing a field upon which this little soldier of the cross is to gain some signal victory, and himself signal glory."

"I wish it may be so," said Margaret, "but the dispensation is so dark."

"Ah!" said Miss O'Brien, "I have passed