re ings, and the gayest and idlest had the richest! And it is well it is so,' said the squire; for they need it most-it requires a large living to keep up all the expenses of balls, assemblies, fox-hunting, carousing, travelling, and watering-places! What does a pious parish priest want who bounds his wishes in this world with the limits of his parish, and with setting an example of moderation and goodness, and has no higher ambition than to attain a crown of glory in the next! whereas the parsons who care nothing for distant reversion in an invisible world, naturally grasp at all the good things they can get here, and they are wiser in their generation than the children of light!' These ironical observations, and the characteristic manner and emphasis of the speaker produced no little sensation in the company; they said it was a satire too true and striking. But a pious person of the party closed the subject with a well-timed and heavenly remark. The poor, pious clergyman is realizing the imperishable riches, and must not expect the treasures both of earth and heaven?" 6 The meetings of Charles and Eugenia at length assumed less of the endearing than of the intellectual character; Charles reverenced her like a parent, and could not elevate himself to feel the high distinction of an equal with her any more in intellect than in age, and therefore his subdued feelings led him to look to her rather with the dependence of friendship than with the familiarity of a lover. Meanwhile she sometimes would remind Charles of the difference of her age, as though she felt it must be a secret source of regret to him; and he began to perceive her much abstracted, as though her thoughts were drawn to other subjects of greater interest than those which lately engrossed her mind. A tale too long may weary. We proceed to the deve Eugenia and Charles had lopement. A proposal was made by Eugenia, and accepted by Charles, to walk three miles with the Miss Lunts, at six o'clock the next morning, half-way to a neighbouring town. They paced the woods together, and took leave of the Miss Lunts in the midst. to return alone. They sat them down to rest on two trees which had been felled, and Eugenia commenced"Charles! we have been intimately attached for a year. I am six years older than you. You are very young to begir the world; I hear you are about taking a house for the purpose of commencing a school-all for my sake. I do not think it right thus to entangle you in cares and trouble. I thank you for the readiness with which you returned my affection; but I fancy there are misgivings in your own mind. The illness and the death of our dear pastor, the Rev. Mr. Bredwell, at whose death-bed we both attended, when he so gently pressed your hand, and whispered, The Lord is with me!' has led my thoughts and your's into a different channel. The constant opposition of my father to our union, who has ever shown an unremitted affection towards me, has been a continual source of uneasiness. I think it becomes me to be decided. Charles! you are free to go and choose where you will. Wait a few years, and be prudent in your choice. Let me know wherever you are, and whom you prefer, and I will ever be a sister to you, married or single; but my resolution is, after thus parting with you, never to marry!" Charles, whose resolution was fixing during this address, and was pondering on his favourite heroic principle-" No woman shall break my heart!" replied, Eugenia! there is nothing which I would not do to please and serve you, even if it were to renounce your hand at your bidding!" "Oh! I see in that a sincerer proof of your love than ever 6 66 66 before; I almost regret the trial to which I have brought you," said Eugenia. But Charles, firm to his purpose, said, Come, Sister Eugenia, then we are both free; as Brother and Sister, and ever shall we continue to love as such till we descend the hill of life!" Charles returned alone to his lodgings, and then gave vent to his imprisoned feelings in a flood of tears. Ah! then how quickly came to his memory all the tender scenes which had passed, and the various causes which led to this sudden separation. He thought of Bredwell's prediction-"This will not last-I hope it may never come to a union; it bodes not happiness!" and then his dying words recurred; the last he whispered, while Eugenia stood by his side, “ Keep close to Christ, and He will never forsake you." He exclaimed, "The tongues of dying men Enforce attention, like deep harmony; He that no more must say, is listen'd more Than they whom youth and ease have taught to glose. As the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last, SHAKSPEARE. "It is well, and it shall be well," said Charles;" all things shall work together for good. I will not attempt to stem the course of providence-let it roll on; only let my bark be guided by mercy and love, and let me always look on Eugenia as my sister and my friend, and I shall have delight in beholding her still, and drink wisdom from her tongue and happiness from her glance. One more apos trophe to thee, dear sister Eugenia! I attempt not to As Charles wept, he took up his pen and wrote his fare well to Eugenia, apologizing for the blots his tears had made; then endeavouring to calm his mind into submission and peace, he exclaimed "Merciful Heav'n! Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt Than the soft myrtle.' SHAKSPEARE. "I will be content to be a green myrtle flourishing lowly in the shade. Eugenia has resolved ever to be single; so will not I. No woman shall ever break my heart!" There are other lovely beings in the world, of a disposition perhaps more congenial, and of an age more suitable. and preferring the connubial life And, to my mind, Earthlier happy is the rose distill'd Than that which withering on the virgin thorn, CHAPTER LII. THE OXFORD DEGREE-THE NEW DISCOVERY-THE DISAPPOINTMENT. FORTUNATELY for Charles, at this absorbing crisis, he had to set about preparing for a journey the next morning to Oxford to take his degree of A.B., and was to return that day six weeks. In passing through Bellam, he called on Mr. and Mrs. Gullam, who engaged him that day six weeks to drink tea with a party of ladies at their house. Charles, now completely freed from the golden fetters of love, bounded away to Oxford; and there, amid his old friends, tried to lose the image of Eugenia. "Well, Charles," said Rowland, "you seem all spirits, like a schoolmaster having a holiday. I dare say if the truth were known, you are as glad of the holiday as the young rogues whom you teach." "I believe," said Charles, 66 no one is so well acquainted with the worth of leisure and the value of time that you can call your own as the pedagogue who has his daily task to pursue of teaching the young idea how to shoot." "Yes, it must be regular," said Randland. "In the morning he must sow his seed. and in the evening not withhold his hand." """Tis wearisome," said Charles, "to ply the daily undeviating task ' "But then," said Randland, "none enjoy a holiday like you. |