shells and fossils before his departure, and as he evidently prided himself on his skill in arrangement, I found some difficulty in replacing them. I confess I was sorry that, in my hurry and eagerness, I had not taken a little more notice of their particular situation, before I ventured to remove them, for now I was obliged to proceed at random; and before I had done I became almost tired, and quite

cross.

The day of his return arrived, and Richard alighted at the door with a smiling countenance; - at the sight of him I felt a sort of qualm, which it was not difficult to account for; but his accustomed open and affectionate manner presently quieted my apprehensions, and re-assured me that Richard could never

be very angry with his Lucy. After the first salutations, and a little chat, he ordered the servant to bring in a parcel that was left in the hall; which, with very significant looks, he proceeded to un

pack when the last paper was removed, with a mixed expression of good-nature and self-approbation, he unfurled a beautiful piece of brocade.

"There, Lucy!" said he, "you will not be rivalled in this neighbourhood, I think do you like it? does the pattern please you?"—The pattern did not please me for at that moment I had such a return of the qualm as must have destroyed effectually every expression of pleasure or gratitude on my countenance: however, I affected all the approbation that my feelings would allow; and whether or not he discovered my constrained manner, I cannot tell.

He now rose to visit his study, and I followed him with anxious steps; - he stopped short at the door, and looked round with astonishment and chagrin. "So, Lucy," said he, you cannot

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let me alone! Rather than have had my things so deranged, I would have given".

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Why, Richard," interrupted I, "do but behold the improved appearance of the room! I knew you would not be convinced till you saw it."

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Nor am I convinced now," said he. "I only know that it employed me several days to arrange those things to my mind: besides, the fossils were classed scientifically, and now that they have been all mingled, it will be very difficult to restore them to their places. You can

have no conception how much you have vexed me!"

"You are not more vexed than I was to see the room so spoiled."

"But you were not obliged to see it;

-you were not wanted here.

Will you

permit me to readjust your dressingroom?"

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Well," said I, "it is really surprising to see you so disconcerted about a mere trifle."

He made no reply; but rung the bell violently. "Tell the carpenter," he said

to the servant, "to be here to-morrow morning without fail.”

"My dear sister," said he, as he left the room, "I allow you to call these things trifles: but let us learn not needlessly to oppose each other's wishes in such affairs; and we shall prevent a thousand occasions on which our harmony may be disturbed."

"And all this," muttered I, as I left the study," about the derangement of a few insignificant shells and fossils!"

Although it could not strictly be said that this little disagreement generated either hostile conduct or hostile feelings, -for the cloud soon passed away, yet it introduced a habit of jarring and disputing on the most trivial occasions, illustrating the truth of that divine aphorism-"That the beginning of strife is like the letting out of water."

CHAPTER VIII.

WHEN the emotions excited by the above unpropitious circumstance had tolerably subsided, I felt myself in duty bound to appear in my new brocade. This was repugnant to my feelings, because, connected with my religious views, were certain notions, which, on subsequent consideration, I now believe to be unsupported by Scripture. I had been led to question the lawfulness of those enjoyments which my circumstances and rank in life might seem to warrant, and instead of receiving the bounties of Providence with gratitude, to turn from them with disapprobation and disgust. I am not sure, had not the arrival of my brother occasioned a temporary diversion to my feelings, if I should not have disencumbered my conscience of all such superH 5