“So, ma’am, while they were looking for the veil, I just asked one of the maids, what company had arrived, but”—­(here Jones looked very suspicious, and shook her head ominously:) “would you think it, ma’am, not a soul of them knew!  But, ma’am, there was the doctor and his son, praying and reading with the old gentleman the whole time—­and”—­

“And what, Jones?”

“Why, ma’am, I expect he has been a great sinner, or he wouldn’t want so much praying just as he is about to die.”

“Die!” cried all three at once:  “will he die?”

“O yes,” continued Jones, “they all agree he must die; but this praying so much, is just like the criminals.  I’m sure no honest person needs so much praying, ma’am.”

“No, indeed,” said the mother.  “No, indeed,” responded the daughters, as they retired to their several rooms for the night.

Chapter V.

There is something in the season of Spring which peculiarly excites the feelings of devotion.  The dreariness of winter has passed, and with it, the deadened affections of our nature.  New life, new vigor, arises within us, as we walk abroad and feel the genial gales of April breathe upon us; and our hopes, our wishes, awaken with the revival of the vegetable world.  It is then that the heart, which has been impressed with the goodness of the Creator, feels that goodness brought, as it were, into very contact with the senses.  The eye loves to wander over the bountiful provisions nature is throwing forth in every direction for our comfort, and fixes its gaze on the clouds, which, having lost the chilling thinness of winter, roll in rich volumes, amidst the clear and softened fields of azure so peculiar to the season, leading the mind insensibly, to dwell on the things of another and a better world.  It was on such a day, that the inhabitants of B——­ thronged toward the village church, for the double purpose of pouring out their thanksgivings, and of hearing the first efforts of their rector’s son in the duties of his sacred calling.

Amongst the crowd whom curiosity or a better feeling had drawn forth, were to be seen the flaring equipage of the Jarvises, and the handsome carriages of Sir Edward Moseley and his sister.  All the members of the latter family felt a lively anxiety for the success of the young divine.  But knowing, as they well did, the strength of his native talents, the excellence of his education, and the fervor of his piety, it was an anxiety that partook more of hope than of fear.  There was one heart, however, amongst them, that palpitated with an emotion that hardly admitted of control, as they approached the sacred edifice, for it had identified itself completely with the welfare of the rector’s son.  There never was a softer, truer heart, than that which now almost audibly beat within the bosom of Clara Moseley; and she had given it to the young divine with all its purity and truth.