Madeline was enraged, and muttered-" These are fine times, truly, when I, old as I am, cannot make a little broth to please my sick lady! The world is finely changed! Only young damsels now-a-days know how to do any thing!" Claudine took no notice of these murmurs; she spoke mildly to Madeline, and did all in her power to silence her, and prevent her angry tones being heard by her mother. In a moment of petulant rage, this woman cut her hand, and at the sight of her own blood she was alarmed, distracted; she prayed and lamented, but did nothing to stop the bleeding. When Claudine approached to assist her, she repulsed her rudely; but, at length, her fears surmounting her ill-humour, she yielded to the efforts of the generous Claudine. This good and sensible girl skilfully bound up the wound, and with the kindest words appeased the alarms of Madeline. It is hardly possible that the human heart can resist the benevolent acts of virtue. Madeline was softened, touched; she said nothing, but she pressed to her lips the gracious hand that had assuaged her pain, with an expression of contrition and gratitude. Claudine was deeply gratified by this mark of recovered temper and innate goodness-she felt pleased and happy. Thus it is that good hearts are blest by the effects of their own virtues; that, even in the hour of sadness, they can find or create their own consolations! Hardly had Claudine surmounted this vexation, when the sight of Valence, pale and agitated, overwhelmed her with new fears and sorrows-her mother ill, Madeline capricious and helpless, Valence afflicted-such was the sad list of that day's trials. Who does not know the weight of domestic evils? Claudine felt them most keenly; but now, as ever, she rallied herself, and received her brother with cheering looks. "Ah! my sister! I am dis tracted!" Claudine thought upon her mother; 66 Speak low, dear Valence-my mother sleeps― speak low, I implore you." He tried to lower his voice as he said, "According to your wishes I forwarded the fifty francs to my two creditors -see what answers I have received." He gave her a couple of letters: she read them through calmly and attentively, and then, smothering her emotions, addressed him :- "One of these -- letters is very consoling: this good shoemaker has written with mildness and civility; he seems disposed to wait your convenience for a farther payment. Unfortunately, the other is not so forbearing."-" Forbearing! -he is a miscreant, a man whom I have repeatedly obliged and assisted. I have lent him money; I have recommended him to my friends: but he is a profligate, who spends more than he earns. '-" And therefore must always be in want. He gives us an excellent lesson, my brother, in shewin us that those who spend beyond their resources can never be either just or generous."-" Oh! Claudine! that is a lesson I have now by heart. I have too severely felt the humiliating state of a debtor, readily to forget that justice is the first of our duties !-But what is to be done?"—" Calm yourself; it is not possible to think or act wisely while so agitated."-" But, Claudine." "Hush! I hear the voice of my father: go, let us meet in the garden: I will come thither the moment I can." Valence hastened out of the house; the Curate approached with quick steps: Claudine, wherefore this noise so near the chamber of your mother?-Do you forget she is ill? Do you forget she sleeps?"-"Forget! Ah! Papa."-" Truly, child, you have seemed to do so." The severe looks, the stern manner of M. Weimar, so new and so unusual (for sorrow had made him irritable), sensibly grieved his daughter. She looked at him with supplicating eyes, My dear father!"- "Wherefore |