present scene, shewed her the object of her sympathy, who had been watching the variations of her countenance. "Your tears, my beloved friend," said he, "sooth, though they distress me; I am aware of the event that you so sorrowfully anticipate; but why will you obscure this transient gleam of sunshine with the prospect of succeeding clouds ?—I am considerably better; your kind attention, my Helen, has already greatly improved my health; and if I credit the impression that dwells on my mind, I shall many years enjoy your society." Helen smiled with pleasure at this declaration-but her apprehensions were not so easily silenced; she too well knew that. his was a disorder which always flattered the sufferer, and without the favourable opinion of some skilful medical man, she dared not encourage the hope which his words were calculated to inspire. She readily acquiesced in his wish to secure the lodging: and as no obstacle now remained remained to postpone the marriage cere mony, an early day was fixed. Mrs. Clemments attended her sister to the altar, and old Mr. Courtenay officiated as father.With the solemnity that the service required, Mr. Mallett performed the ceremony, and bestowed his beloved Helen on her now happy Courtenay. Old Courtenay, who was assured of being amply provided for, now expressed as much pleasure at the disappointment of his former plan as he had before felt chagrin. He rejoiced to see Percival happy, since his interest no longer interfered with the event that rendered him so; and as his son acceded to his request to spend a jovial day, he cared not much for the occasion. CHAP. CHAP. XI. -Alas! how quick Treads woe in pleasure's footsteps." KEATE. IN the preparations necessary for this most eventful period of her life, Helen forgot not those whose distress claimed her. compassion. She had written to Mrs. Ashton, to enquire if she could be, in any respect, serviceable to her, but had received no answer; believing, however, that the consciousness of her former ill conduct might restrain Mrs. Ashton's inclination to receive assistance, she deter mined mined to make still greater overtures, for which purpose she called at the house. A servant, whose appearance was far from prepossessing, received her, and to her enquiries for Mrs. Ashton, replied, that she was very ill. ill. On hearing she was not confined, Helen requested the servant to announce her to her mistress, but she abruptly answered-" Oh, if you be Miss. Coleby, I needent trouble Madam with no messages, for she said when I took her your letter, that you could only want to sult her, and she thought it was no time now, for you was in prosperity, and she in varsity, and she ordered me to say so to you, or any messenger you might send." "Good God!" exclaimed Helen, "how little does she know my heart, if she can believe it capable of such pitiful revenge! -if you have any influence over her, pray induce her to believe that compassion for her deplorable situation is the only motive that brings me to her house." "I will tell her what you say, Miss," answered answered the woman, whose visage began to soften at the mildness of Helen's address, "and perhaps she may think better of it; but sure she is in a wretched pickle, and nothing is, much as it should be, about her; for indeed she is so helpless, that she should, by right, have somebody always tending of her, but she won't be at the expence; and here am I forced to act nurse, cook, and house-maid. I assure you, Miss, 'tis a very hard place of work, and I shouldent stay if Madam could suit herself with another body; but I hant a got the heart to leave her quite by herself, thof she is sometimes so peevish that I threaten to go." "Pray endeavour to bear with her infirmities," said Helen, "and make allowances for her sufferings, and perhaps you will not always be unrewarded." To enforce her advice, she slid something into her hand, which greatly relaxed the stiffened features of the attendant; and after |