their meaning; and her candid mind could not resist their force, when joined to the extraordinary and continued change in Ashton's whole conduct. He gradually gained her attention; and she felt a wish to hear that kind of preaching to which he ascribed a change so unaccountable. With her mother's consent, she accompanied her aunt, Mrs. Ashton, to hear her cousin's favourite preacher. She heard; and her mind soon fully acquiesced in the truth delivered by a servant of God, whose life was holy, whose reasoning was conclusive, and whose manner bespoke the deep feeling he himself had of those truths he taught. Gertrude began to study the Scriptures; and felt that she never before had understood them. The life of gaiety in which she was involved became irksome to her; but she did not immediately perceive that it was her duty to forsake it.

The following summer and autumn Mrs. Aberley and her daughters spent in the country. There Gertrude devoted every moment she could command to the study of the Bible; and such had been its influence, that, before she left her rural retirement, she too was decided to be a Methodist, like her cousin Ashton. On the return of her family to town, in winter, Gertrude gently, but firmly, refused to enter into the gaieties of the world.-But I shall leave her reasons to be stated by herself.

THE DECISION.

PERSONS INTRODUCED.

MRS. ABERLEY.

ANNA, her eldest Daughter. GERTRUDE, her youngest Daughter. EDWARD, her Son.

MRS. ABERLEY'S House, London.

THE

DECISION.

PART I.

A small apartment in Mrs. Aberley's house.

GERTRUDE alone.

(Seated near a Table, and deeply occupied in readA gentle tap is heard at the Chamber

ing. Door.)

1

GER. (Starting and turning towards the door.) So, my promised hour of enjoyment is cut short. (Rises and opens the door, at which stands ANNA, a splendid dress in one arm, and a work-box in the other.)

GER. Anna! What is all this? I hope you are not come to consult me about your dress. You know I have lost all interest in such things.

ANNA.

Oh! Gertrude, have pity on me! Just look at this dress! Mrs. Dalton sent it to me so loaded with trimming, that I sent Morley to alter it, and only see what a thing she has made of it! I do not know what to do, for this dress I must wear to-night. I have a most particular reason for doing so, and yet I have little more than one hour left to try to improve itand to dress. As for Morley, she is now so cross and displeased, that, should I leave it to her, she would only make it worse. Do look at this trimming; did you ever see any thing so heavy and ugly? Besides, it hangs so low, I shall certainly tread it down if I dare venture to dance. (Throws herself into a chair.) What on earth shall I do! You laugh, Gertrude. Well, that is really ill-natured; and, if your new religion has taught you to be so, it has indeed changed you.

GER. (attempting to suppress a laugh.) No, Anna, my new religion has not taught me to be ill-natured; but it has taught me the absurdity of being made wretched, as you at this moment are, by such a trifle. I beg pardon, however, for laughing. And now, in reparation, what can I do for you?

ANNA. (Rising with animation.) Oh, if you undertake the matter, all may be well yet. Tell me only how to alter this. Ah! there it is in your hands, and soon all will be grace and