will not come to see you. You are quite a bore."

She was angry;

Mary left the room. and now she felt her enmity rise very high against Margaret, whom she considered as having been the cause of her sister's sentiments. She resolved, therefore, that her uncle and aunt should be informed of these things, that Margaret, if she was not got rid of, should at least be prohibited from making Jane so overreligious.

She resolved, therefore, that without further delay she would after dinner relate the conversation she had held with her sister, and strive, if possible, to have such things put an end to. The result far exceeded her expectations, and caused the dismissal of faithful Margaret from her post. Oh, how true is it that "all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution P and how little, in her warmth, and the enmity of her carnal heart, did Mary think of the greatness of the sin she was about to commit!

CHAPTER IV.

After the dinner-cloth had been removed, Mr. Slade inquired after the health of Jane; when Mrs. Slade informed him that she seemed quite composed and comfortable, although there was no prospect of amendment. "I am pleased," said she, "that she feels so attached to Margaret; and Margaret certainly strives to make her as comfortable as possible.

"Yes," said Mary, with a scornful toss of her head," and she has made her so religious that she can talk now about nothing else. It is quite tiresome to be for a few minutes with her."

"What is that you say, Mary?" said Mr. Slade, who was startled, and eagerly leaned forward to hear her. "Why, uncle," said she,

Margaret and Jane are for ever reading the Bible, and Jane can now talk of nothing but seeking for salvation: I suppose she thinks we are all going to the bad place. She quite preached a sermon to me this morning about how wrong it was to play cards."

The colour rushed into Mr. Slade's face vehemently, his eye flashed, his lip quivered, his whole frame was convulsed with rage. "What," he exclaimed, "is Margaret one of these evangelicals? I was afraid of it. She shall not stay in my house any longer; and you, Mary, mind you do not enter the room till she is gone out of the house."

"You had better retire, my dear," said Mrs. Slade to Mary, who accordingly withdrew.

Mr. Slade rang the bell. As soon as the servant appeared he ordered her to tell Margaret to walk down into the parlour. Mean, while he paced with rapid steps the room to and fro, biting his lips with ungovernable passion.

"Be composed, Mr. Slade," said his wife; "do not speak angrily to the girl."

A gentle tap was heard at the door.

"Come in," said Mr. Slade with an angry voice, and he seated himself in his chair.

Margaret courtesied, and seeing the infuriated countenance of Mr. Slade, felt her heart flutter, and feared, but knew not for what, some tremendous storm was about to burst. She silently lifted her heart to God, and with

a tremulous voice asked, "Did you please to want me, sir?"

"Yes," answered Mr. Slade, "I have heard that you have been reading the Bible to Miss Jane, and making preachments to her about religion. Is this true ?"

Margaret grew pale and trembled; she felt her heart almost sink within her. After a moment's pause, she said, “It is true, sir, that I have read the Bible to Miss Jane, but I have not attempted to preach, sir. I don't understand you."

"How did you dare to read the Bible without asking permission? How did you dare to bring a Bible into my house?"

"Sir, I could not suppose there was any harm in reading the Bible to Miss Jane, especially when it was the book which her own mamma gave me with her own hands, and about which she so often talked to me, and desired me to read it with prayer."

"Her mamma! what do you know of her?" said Mr. Slade, somewhat confounded.

"I was in her class, sir, in Sundayschool, and ever shall I revere her memory; I can never be thankful enough for the instructions I received from her lips."

Mr. Slade felt somewhat abashed—then he looked sternly at her, and said,

"Did you not know that I utterly disapprove of all this cant and superstitious nonsense?"

Margaret felt her spirit rise with holy indignation, and firmly, but meekly, answered, "How could I suppose you, sir, to disapprove of reading the Bible, when I so often have witnessed, while I was only a child, you swearing attachment to the Saviour at his holy altar ?"

This expression stung him to the very soul, he felt bowed and abashed before this simple but pious servant-girl. He feared to look towards his wife, who he now found knew what he wished her never to have known; he was almost choked with confusion and

rage; but said to her, “ Begone; to-morrow Mrs. Slade will pay you your wages, and you will leave this house." Glad to escape from such a storm, Margaret courtesied and withdrew.

Mr. Slade placed his elbow upon the table, and leaning his forehead upon his hand, while its lower part covered his eyes, he sat silent for some minutes. Mrs. Slade observed his con