reverted to Mr. and Mrs. Mayne. Harriett was rather ashamed now of her late outbreak, and determined to exercise more selfcontrol and prudence in her expressions; but her heart was sore, and smarting from the late indignity she had suffered, and it unwittingly disclosed itself in her words. Justin saw her uneasiness, but he forbore to ask any questions.

"I don't know how it is, Justin, but my life in Maxwell now seems altogether intolerable to me. What I have found patience to endure for years, I cannot endure now. Maria's foolishness and fractiousness re-act on me, until I need all the self-control I possess, not to lose my temper; the children harass me; even my visiting in the cottages, and regulating the school, does not afford me the pleasure it once did. I know it is weak and wicked to murmur at a life so devoid of crosses and sorrows; but do not blame me just now-hear my grumbling to the end. I have so longed to

tell all to some one, as I told you in my letter."

"I can well sympathize with you," replied Justin, soothingly.

"I have no doubt," continued Harriett, lured on by the kind glances of his eyes, "that just these very trials that I find so irksome are the very ones by which God tries my faith."

She reflected for a moment, and then continued, "I cannot in all things see the hand of wisdom guiding me. When I reflect, some of my actions appear so little in accordance with my own free will, that they are quite inexplicable, and will be the sources of undying regret."

"You do not see yet, perhaps, but tax your patience a little longer, Harriett. As those actions recede into the distance, you will find them, like certain pictures, improved and defined by a more distant view; at present, they are too near. The circum

stances that perplex you now, in a month

or two, or it may be a year or two, will appear clear."

"How wise you have grown, Justin."
"Was I not always wise?

66

Yes, with a sharp reasoning, a penetrating sense, which now seems mellowed and softened."

Justin had shaded his face with his hand while she spoke. Then he said, in a low voice: "I hope I am wiser; I have bought my wisdom at a costly price; the furnace that has tried me has been severe; still I own now, bitter as was the trial, it was for my good."

"It is that secret, Justin?"

He bowed his head.

"Tell me."

"I cannot now; I may some time, for I long for your counsel and sympathy." "Have you told any one?"

"No one; not even Martin. I fear his scorn. I stand so high in his esteem that I fear to fall-the old, proud spirit."

Harriett raised her head and sat up, her eagerness overcame her weariness and pain; she shrank from the revelation, yet desired it.

"You do not fear, then, to fall in my estimation?" she asked sadly.

66

Yes, I do; but there are some things women forgive easier than men. They excuse it; they have so much pity and tenderness for the frail and fallen."

"Oh, Justin! do not tell me," cried Harriett, with sudden energy. "I do not care to know, for you have ever been to me the standard of what a man ought to be. If my trust has been misplaced, and if my faith fail in your integrity, it must fail me in all men." Harriett, in her excitement, was hurried into an acknowledgment she would not otherwise have made.

A glad surprise beamed in Justin's eyes; He seized both her hands.

hear you say so-so glad!

riett. I am worthy now to

"I am glad to

Trust me, Har

be trusted. I

will be evermore worthy of your trust. There is nothing in my confession that need bring a blush to your cheek; God forbid that any words of mine, or any deeds of mine, should cause you to blush for me! I have courage to tell you now, if it will not fatigue you too much."

Harriett said it would not weary her; indeed, it would drive her own sorrow out of her head if she might participate in his; and Justin related to her the outline of what the reader already knows so fully. He did not dwell on minute details; he did not speak much of his love; he spoke more of his folly. It may seem to some a strange confession of Justin's, and a strange confidante; but it was not so to them.

Justin watched Harriett's face anxiously, as he told the tale in broken sentences. She hid it once or twice in her hands; and when he finished, and she at last looked up at him, her brown eyes were full of tears.