"My dear love, I really am too poor. Cannot your mother assist you?"

"Oh, no, she won't: the Merediths are dissenters."

"Then there is the more need that I, a clergyman of the Church of England, should mark my abhorrence of such characters."

John liked to have a grave joke.

"Now, John, pray don't say what you do not think. Can it make any difference of what religion people are, when they are sick and in want?"

"It appears to do so with your good mother."

"But mamma is not you, you know, John."

"Granted; well, suppose you ask Lord Bernard."

don't you

"Worse and worse, John; know these are the people who have encroached on his manor, and built that

dreadful cottage now tumbling down; and that they steal the wood and kill the game? Oh, he would never help them, but probably be vexed with us if we

do."

"Then, my dear wife, we dear wife, we had better let them alone altogether."

"That is so unlike you, John."

And something like a vexed tear dimmed Emily's eye.

"Come, love, in this instance I must consult Lord Bernard. If he consents, you can take the three pounds you wished me to put aside for our little daughters' winter coats. I can spare nothing else."

"That will do very well. I only hope Lord Bernard won't refuse. Make the case very pitiable, mind, John."

And so Emily left, in renovated spirits, and as she shut the door her husband laid down his pen and thought. If his better judgment warred against his wife's

VOL. I.

X

over-zeal, at all events it did not lessen his love for her. A few murmured words sounded very like benisons on her.

But Emily had a harder task to fight with Wilsy. That good woman's Roman nose waxed hotter and and more more shiny, as

Emily, not daring to look at her, stammered over her lame excuses

much-required winter coats.

about the

"It can't be, mum," she said, stoutly. "I am ashamed to go out with Miss Nest. She is heedless and mischievous, but she's past bearing in the way she grows she is out of her things 'most afore they're made."

66 She can have an old dress of mine cut up for her, Wilson."

And Emily glided out abashed.

My goodness! but the missus 'ud give away herself if she could. And them Robartses coming out on Michaelmas day with purple cloth pelisses, binded and

braided, and beaver hats with long white feathers. Ough! it's past my 'standing." It was well Mrs. Leslie had fled.

END OF VOL. I.

R. BORN, PRINTER, GLOUCESTER STREET, REGENT'S PARK.