"In answer to the accusation, this holy man of God enters upon his defence, which presents one of the most affecting and impressive specimens of eloquence to be found in either profane or sacred history. And as he reasoned of righteousness,' says the divine penman,- temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I bave a convenient season I will call for thee.' This 'convenient season,' it is greatly to be feared, never came to him; for we read, that after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.'

"Pardon, my dear friend," continued Mrs. Gracelove, "the analogy I thus draw between your future time,' and the convenient season' of Felix. But while I thus take the liberty of pointing to the resemblance in words, I fervently trust it may never become a resemblance in deeds, but that the final issue may be diametrically the reverse of that of the Roman governor. Felix, indeed, trembled on hearing the inspired words of the holy man of God, and if he repented not of his sins before he died, he is trembling still.

"Permit me, my dear Mrs. Stately," she observed, "to repeat to you that beautiful and expressive hymn of Doddridge, so appropriate to this subject; whose warning voice is here piously raised against that fatal procrastination which so often involves such awful results.

O make thy servants truly wise,
That they may live to-day!

Since on this winged hour

Eternity is hung,

Waken, by thine Almighty power,

The aged and the young.

One thing demands our care,

O be it still pursued !

Lest, slighted once, the season fair

Should never be renew'd.

To Jesus may we fly,

Swift as the morning light,

Lest life's young golden beams should die,

In sudden endless night.""

"that is

"I can pardon anything," replied her visitor, urged in the kindly spirit of charity, and with the benevolent motives which prompt your remarks, however widely we may differ in our sentiments. But it is now growing late,” said the half-converted lady of fashion, rising from her seat, "and I must take my leave for the present. After the conversation we have had," she observed," and which, though opposed to each other, has been much more interesting than I could have possibly expected, I will not say one word more about your coming to my party. But I shall still hope, my dear Mrs. Gracelove," she said smiling, as she extended her hand, "to see you at the Hall in a quiet social way, if not at a naughty fashionable dance."

Mrs. Gracelove assured her that such an intercourse would be much more agreeable both to herself and to her husband

than any other arrangement whatever, and of which they should hope to avail themselves.

The two ladies having exchanged mutual courtesies on taking leave, the conversation ended; and Mrs. Stately stepping into her carriage returned to the Hall.

CHAPTER VI.

THE midsummer holidays had now arrived, and the two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Gracelove, with buoyant hearts and rejoicing spirits, had returned to their lovely home on the romantic shores of Derwent, or as it is not unfrefrequently called, Keswick Lake. Happy days! ere the cares, and sorrows, and anxieties of life, have touched the youthful bosom and robbed it of its freshness! Cherished hours of schoolboy happiness! when, the half-year's task being ended, the busy fancy revels in the delights of home and innocent pleasure;-luxuriates in the bright visions of the future, ere hope becomes blighted by the chilling realities of life, and its cheering sunshine shadowed over by the clouds and tempests of this chequered world!

"O where shall rest be found,

Rest for the weary soul?

"Twere vain the ocean-depths to sound,

Ör pierce to either pole.

The world can never give

The bliss for which we sigh;

"Tis not the whole of life-to live,

Nor all of death-to die.

Beyond this vale of tears,
There is a life above,

Unmeasured by the flight of years;

And all that life is love :

Pure and exhilarating were the feelings with which Edmund and Jasper hailed the festive season. Nor were their anxious and indulgent parents less gratified to see their children happy around them, nor less inclined to join in their recreations, and administer to their amusements, in all the fondness of parental affection. Parties of pleasure were planned for sailing on the lake, and visiting the numerous objects of curiosity and interest with which the neighbouring scenes abounded. Different days were appropriated, in perspective, to as many varied excursions; to rambles around the banks of their own beautiful lake, as well as to those in the vicinity which filled up the bright panorama of this enchanting district. Mountains were to be ascended, valleys to be explored, waterfalls admired, leadmines examined; rocks, caves, torrents, with all the intricacies and mazes of a mountain wilderness, were to be visited in successive order.

On the third morning after the arrival of the two young gentlemen at dulce domum, the boat belonging to the family was ordered to be in readiness, and two expert rowers, selected from the farming establishment of Mr. Gracelove, were called