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 happened 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."

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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."

"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

through many a dark dispensation, but I have always found that in the end light arose; nay, the darker the dispensation, the sooner it will be over; for it is always the darkest just before the day begins to break. I have heard that the Jews have a proverb to this effect—'When the tale of bricks is doubled, then Moses comes.'

"God grant it may be so now," said Margaret.

"I do not doubt it," said Miss O'Brien; "for you know that a Christian can only be educated aright in the school of affliction; there the greatest lessons are taught us, and we are prepared for the sweetest enjoyments. Nothing in nature ever arrives at perfection, without undergoing some analogous process. The earth must be torn by the ploughshare, if its bosom yield a plenteous crop—the vine must be pruned and bleed, if it produce rich clusters of luxuriant fruit—the soldier must be inured to the fatigues of the camp and field, if he obtain the victory—and if this precious jewel be fitted to adorn the diadem of the Redeemer, she must be fretted and polished upon the wheel of affliction, that she may shine there resplendently. Remember, 'God will cause all things

to work together for good,' and you will see it so."

"You have encouraged me," said Margaret; "and when I think on the wonderful dealings of God with Miss Jane already, I will hope for the best."

"Meanwhile," answered Miss O'Brien, "we must not forget our duty to wait upon God by earnest prayer, that he would dispose all things for the best. As for yourself, I think I can obtain for you some little employment for the present, and you shall hear from me tonight or to-morrow morning."

This interview had a happy effect in composing Margaret's mind, and she returned home content to wait for and watch the proceedings of Heaven.

But we must now return to Jane, who, after the departure of Margaret, seemed quite inconsolable. It is true that her aunt came several times in the course of the day to see her; and one of the servants, who formerly attended her, was frequently in her chamber; but then, besides that her aunt's manner was cold and restrained, and the attentions of the other servant differed in manner entirely from Margaret, the loss of the Bible and of Christian commu