Part 7 (1/2)
”O, that it were to the day of my own death,” exclaimed Elizabeth with fervency ”There are few persons to whom my heart earnestly inclines, and I would have theh this life, and all eternity”
”My dear sister, these things are not at our disposal But let us consider the subject: every night we experience temporary dissolution: and then we are separated, even as if the hand of death had so to rest, we have no positive assurance that we are to open our eyes again upon the objects of this world; still we project schemes; calculate upon probable and improbable events; but the entire suspension of our faculties is never taken into the account Yet we are ignorant whether we are to open our eyes on the objects of this world, or that which is to cohts; I rest alone upon theSaviour; he is e To our mother, my conscience acquits me either of intentional errors, or errors of omission This is a source of the purest consolation; it clears the rough, the thorny path to the valley of death Elizabeth, o hence, and be no ht recall to mind the actions of the day
Let this be the question you put to yourself: ”Have I donesun, as it rises, be a token to you that another day is given for wise and good purposes; in the grave there is no reression, for neglect of the social duties of life”
Elizabeth gazed at her sister with feelings of tenderness and sorrow
”All things pass away,” said Jane, as she raised her eyes to her sister's agitated face; ”but 'when this mortal has put on iain, it will not be for transient days, and years, but for ages of eternity”
Exhausted with speaking so long, she pointed to the book upon the table
”The spirit is willing,” said she, faintly, ”but e me, sister?”
”From my heart I will,” exclaie, but retain you for our comfort, for this world to my mother will be a wilderness indeed”
”Not so,” said Jane, tears flowing into her eyes; ”my affectionate, my warm-hearted sister will be my substitute! O, Elizabeth, friend dearest to me, may you be blessed where your heart is fixed”
Elizabeth started, and her countenance became pale as death
”Sister,” Jane slowly added, ”you could not keep the secret from me; I have traced it in all your actions; but, rest assured, it will descend with rave”
CHAPTER XIV
Elizabeth was restless and uneasy the whole of the day that her mother had taken her departure for Colonel Vincent's The evening et and gloo people could not, therefore, take their usual exercise in the play-ground After sitting some time with her sister and Miss Arden, she sauntered into the school-roo ladies were attending to their lessons for the following day One party had spread the road to happiness upon a work-box; all anxious to attain the desired haven Another young lady was seated alone, joining the map of Europe In a corner of the roo the admirable instructive tale ”Display” Elizabeth looked over her shoulder, ”My dear, I thought you had read that book six o”
”O yes, ain: there is not a new book now in the school”
”You , ”that you have read them all But can you explain the word ”Display?” for I thinkladies are partial to it, in one shape or another” A carriage now stopped at the door; and Elizabeth exclaie?” Miss Grey, as near the , raised herself upon a box, and looking over the blind, cried, ”Mrs Adair, ma'am, and Miss Isabella Vincent”
Elizabeth hastened from the roo, ”O, my dear mother, this is an unexpected, welcome pleasure! But how is Mrs Vincent?”
”Composed and comfortable; the operation was performed yesterday: but it was not my intention to desert you: how could you think so?”
The truth was, Mrs Adair had called upon the physician, and begged that he would infor: but a press of engagements had prevented his visit to Jane, who noith joy beheld her ht you would return to see me on my journey,” she exclaimed; ”and you are returned, my dear mother Blessed be this hour!”
Miss Arden and Miss Damer, from the hour they met in the summer-house, were strict friends Their capacities were similar, and they were at the head of the different classes On the days appointed for geography, the young ladies were in a room called the study Miss Arden had observed that one of the servants, a respectable looking young woenerally contrived to enter the apart or another: but always looked, anxiously at the globes, or the maps, and stopped a moment to listen, either to the teacher or the pupils Miss Arden noticed the circumstance to her friend; ”I will certainly ask Catherine,” she said, ”if she has anyin her countenance that excites my curiosity”
The first time she met her alone, she made the inquiry
”I have, indeed, es, could I but learn as you do”
”But of what use, Catherine, would learning be to you? You can read your Bible; and it will shew you all that is necessary for you to know Your duty as a servant, and the way to heaven, the place where we all hope to meet, e have done with this world, and its cares”