and this would give her time to weigh the matter more deliberately.

The next thing was to ensure Anne's silence. Minna need not have troubled herself about this, as Anne was far too much concerned to think of mentioning the subject without permission. When Minna begged her not to refer to the conversation of the morning, she said, “Oh! then you have not decided?" But Minna only shook her head; her conscience had decided, but her heart could not yet bear to face that decision. Minna had inherited her father's promptness of judgment, which had so influenced her early fate, and if she wished to ponder and consider the subject yet again in all its bearings, it was rather to find out if there were any valid reasons why she should not leave her aunt's family; yet, while she sought them, she knew the search was vain, and there was a very unusual stillness on her countenance when she sat down to luncheon. Fortunately, Lady Fortrose's inquiries after her headache caused her silence and paleness to be attributed to that; but her self-command was severely tried when, the conversation having turned upon travelling, Winifred said, in answer to a question

"No, I have never been abroad, but papa talks of taking us this year."

away,

"Yes, if we can manage it," said Lord Fortrose," and Minna will want to show you her favourite, Rouen. I began to think I should never get her till I promised to take her back again some day with you." "How was it you did not go on to Italy, Miss Raymond?" said Lord Ralegh.

"It was a great mistake," said Hazelby; "but, however, it can easily be repaired; and it is pleasanter to

go with a whole party, and have plenty of time; but you really must keep him up to it this year," added he, to Minna. "I don't consider your education complete without Italy, nor your pleasure, certainly. How you will enjoy it! But I do not believe you care to go," he continued, observing an expression very far from enjoyment in Minna's face.

Minna's defence of her taste was rendered inaudible by Lady Maria's eager and voluble assurances of her own appreciation of Italian "everything" which, being addressed to Hazelby, fortunately withdrew his attention from Minna, and Lady Maria little knew what a favour she was conferring.

Poor Minna's head really did ache now, and she was glad to return to the quiet of her room. A very gentle knock at the door was followed by Anne's

entrance.

"I am not come to disturb you, Minna, but I was so sorry for you at luncheon; and I want to know if you would mind my telling Hazelby, because he has a way of never letting things be talked about that he does not wish, and I am sure he would so help you and me too;" and the hot tears brimmed over in her eyes.

66

Oh, no, dearest! I must bear it alone. Don't tell him or anybody yet. I know how kind he would be, but I should feel even less at ease if I thought he was watching."

"But I would not tell him all; I would only just ask him not to talk to you about next summer."

"I think it is better not, thank you, darling; and it will soon be known well enough."

Minna's voice faltered, but she hid her tears in the

cushion of the sofa; and Anne, thinking she was tired, left the room.

Oh, the intense misery of the hours that followed! Sleep, which was the only comfort she hoped for, was rendered impossible by the excitement of mind, which made her headache distracting, and try as she would to be quiet and calm, Minna could not help crying. For a few minutes her mind wandered off to thoughts of the high sense of duty and deep religious feeling which would, Minna felt sure, nerve her aunt to the noblest endurance under any trial; and had she not taught her such lessons that they might be the strengthening guides of her life? Oh! but now, no more, no more of the high and holy teaching she had so loved; no more to be counted among the children of that house. And this banishment was to be her own act. Was it necessary, after all, or was it rather a voluntary martyrdom, such as she had often blamed in characters with which books of fiction at the present day abound? But the motive would prove this; the motive in that false system of self-denial was to do something that should merit God's approval, in proportion as it was painful to human nature. Was this her motive? Oh, no, no! with a clear conscience, Minna could say her motive was only to do her duty in that state of life to which it had pleased God to call her; not to make her cross, but to take it up when it lay in her path, and to follow Him, not in ways of her own imagining, but according to the guidance of His holy word.

Minna did not believe that God was better pleased with his people's sorrow than with their joy, for has he not said, "The voice of joy and health is in the dwell

ings of the righteous,” but if He now saw fit to let her feel sorrow, it was in mercy surely, and “shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil?"

From these soothing reflections she was roused by the entrance of Winifred in her riding habit.

"How are you now, dear Minna? I would not come before I went out, because Anne said she thought you were going to sleep; I am so sorry you have such a headache."

"Oh, I am better now, thank you,” said Minna, "and I have scarcely seen you to-day, except at luncheon."

"No," said Winifred, " Anne kept me in the morning; but mamma told me the news about Rhoda, and I am so glad. I hope she will be very happy. But you are not glad, Minna!"

"Oh, yes I am," was all Minna could say. Then after a pause, she added, with an effort, "I like Mr. Thorburn, and I think he will make Rhoda very happy."

Winifred was not quite satisfied, and looked earnestly at Minna, whose eyes were turned away from her. Then she said,—

"Shall I bring you some tea, dear, or will you come to the school-room?"

"It is not time yet, is it?"

"No, not quite."

"I will come if you send Wentworth to call me when tea is ready."

"But are you sure it is good for your head to come? you see they will all be at tea, and there is such a noise."

"I am not afraid," said Minna, "my head is so much better now, and perhaps tea will take the pain quite away."

Winifred left the room.

Minna would much rather have spared herself going down again that evening, but a headache was so unusual to her, that she was afraid her aunt would be alarmed if she made it an excuse for not appearing at dinner, and she thought she had better show herself at tea, and have all pitying remarks got over in the schoolroom, to be secured from observation at dinner. In the school-room also she would find the comfort of Anne's sympathetic presence, as she did not yet join the grown-up party at dinner.