be for. Mary knocked at the door; then her mistress said, 'Come in.' So she went in and curtsied, shutting the door and standing by it. Mrs. Montagu was writing, and some letters lay open upon the table before her. She looked up when Mary came in, and said, ' Good morning, Mary; I have sent for you, because I wished to have a little conversation with you about a situation which I thought might suit you better than your present one, and in which I think you might be very useful.' Poor Mary was taken so by surprise that she burst into tears, and turning away, hid her face in her apron. But her mistress said kindly, My good girl, I did not mean to distress you; if you really prefer to stay in my service, I will not send you away; you shall make your own choice: but you must try and recover yourself and listen to what I have to say.' Then Mary said, 'I am very sorry, Ma'am, I will do whatever you

wish me.' Mrs. Montagu replied, 'I do not wish you to do any thing that will not be for your happiness, Mary; I am glad to see that you value your present situation; but I shall like you to think upon what I have to say to you, and to consult your parents. I have to-day received a letter from a relative of mine, a very aged lady. She has been much disappointed in her maid, in whom she placed great confidence. This is always painful, but it is worst of all to deceive an aged mistress. My relative is now wanting a servant, and I thought of you, Mary, not because I wish to part with you, but because I have found you a faithful servant, and I should feel confidence in entrusting my aged relative to your care. I think you will find it a very comfortable situation; you will have a considerable increase of wages, enabling you to lay by more; you will also have much quiet time, and many advantages; but I wish you to decide for yourself. I know you will think

of your parents, and I should be sorry to separate you from them, did I not believe that it will be really for your good, and they shall not be forgotten in your absence. If you go, I shall feel that you are still serving me, and your services will be only more valuable to me there than here. Talk it over with your parents, and take their advice upon it; then come to me at this time to-morrow morning, and let me know your feeling upon the subject.'

Mary would have thanked her mistress, but her heart was too full; she could only curt'sey and leave the room. The first thing she did was to ask that God would be graciously pleased to make His way plain before her, and to lead her according to his will. Then she went to her parents. They both laid it much to heart, but they wished their child to go, for they said they were sure her mistress would only advise her for her good. Mary also saw her minister, who told her that he thought she could not

do better than accept her mistress's kind offer. He said that it gave him great pleasure to hear of it, for it shewed him that she had been faithful in her services; and he promised to call upon her parents as often as he was able, so that she returned to the Hall with a lightened heart. The housekeeper and her fellow-servants were sorry to part with her; but they all felt that it was for her good. She saw her kind friend, Miss Montagu, in the evening, and she gave her much encouragement; so the next morning she told her mistress that she felt very thankful for her good offer, and she would try and do her best. Mrs. Montagu looked pleased, and told her that she might return home at once, as she should wish her journey not to be put off longer than a fortnight from that time; and then her mistress added, Be a faithful servant still, Mary, and you will always find a friend in me, and the blessing of God will rest upon you.'

CHAPTER V.

MARY IN SERVICE AT MANCHESTER.

"Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace."-PROV. iii. 17.

MARY was two-and-twenty years of age when she entered Mrs. Olivant's service. Her new home was to be in Manchester, two days' journey from her native village. This was a long distance for one who had never been further from her home than the neighbouring town. She set off early in the morning by the coach, and she saw a great deal that was new and wonderful to her as she travelled along. Sometimes the thought of her parents, whom she was leav