Isabel Leicester

resting upon her hand, her face almost as white as the handkerchief she held. Isabel's Father had failed in business, and the misfortune had so preyed upon his mind, that he sank un

e to procure the situation she had in view, or some other. The tea remained untasted on the table, for Isabel was absorbed by the melancholy thoughts that filled her heart. She tried to feel resigned, but her pride was wounded at the idea of becoming a 'governess.' She had been the spoiled petted daughter of a wealthy merchant of the city of New York, whose chief delight had been to indulge her in every way. But still Mr. Leicester had been a truly good and christian man, and had taught his daughter not to set her affections on earthly things, and to remember that

he had thought and felt that the loss of property was an evil of little moment, and tried to persuade her Father not to think so

estrain, fell unheeded. The fire sank low, and finally went out, and still Isabel sat thinking of the miserable prospect the future presented. At last

saw the old housekeeper, Mrs. Stewart, with a cup of hot tea. "Come my dear young lady," said she, while th

o a cup of tea" replied Isabel, "

ill she looks, and no wonder poor lamb, if she goes on like this she will be laid

her duty, however trying she might find it, and for the holy spirit to comfort

strict integrity, and that his failure was not attributable to any want of prudence on his part, had kindly arranged that she should retain whatever she particularly wished. This

ompanied her. "Come" she said, kissing her affectionately, "the sooner this painful task is over my love the better. I have good news for you. I have heard from Mrs. Arlington, and she says that she shall be most happy to obtain the services of any one recomm

orce all the annoyances to which she would be subjected in her new po

t seem a very paltry sum. I dare say you gave nearly as much to your maid Harris, but my dear, as a governess

m sure I can make that do very well," sobbed Isabel. "You

lcome to stay with me until you get over your loss a little, and fe

nd friend, and expressed a hope that she would shortl

nly try. I am very happy now, but I am sure at one time, I thought I never should be again," continued Mrs. Arnold, "but we will say no more on that subject now, we must get on

keeper then came to a

"the very person I wanted," and of

and time to think, tho' the latter she could scarcely do, as her temples throbbed violently. Laying her head on the old familiar couch, she endeavoured

acking all done," said Mrs. Arnold

" replied Isabel, heartily w

cking I ever saw, tho' poor soul she was nearly blinded with tears. Come l

vening, I am sure Mr. Macdermott will be here

only makes things harder to bear. Try to banish disagreeable subjects as much as possible, that is my maxim. But

l too ill to visit her, but that if she felt able she would try to see her at Mrs. Arnold's. He told her also that he had that morning received a letter from Louis, in which he desired to be kindly remembered. Mr. Macdermott remarked the rich cri

ng the housekeeper and Mary a kind farewell, (they had both been with