“would, I think, find great advantage from such a change. He is necessarily much restrained in conversation, under circumstances like the present." "Restrained! Oh, Sir, it is painful beyond expression. Perhaps by-and-by you will see the Bible put into my hand, and I shall be requested to lecture and pray; but what preparation of heart is there in the company, after intercourse such as this, after so much self-indulgence, so much idle talk and frivolity among the young, so much sleepiness and stupidity in the elders, as you will perceive throughout the room, when all have come up from the parlour?" While they were thus conversing, coffee was brought in; the gentlemen came up by degrees into the saloon, and fell into different groups; tea succeeded; and afterwards music was called for. Mrs. Bloomfield excelled on the harp; she played two or three beautiful melodies, and afterwards sung an air to which some simple words had been adapted; she sung with considerable taste and pathos. Mr. Arlington seemed affected. "You do not object to music as an entertainment?" said Leighton inquiringly. "No," said he; "and I think what we hear now is suitable to the present party. I would rather hear it than a hymn, if the mind is not prepared to join with interest. I do not like sacred music introduced merely as an entertainment; but it is sweet and refreshing indeed, when the heart and voice correspond. It is on the convivial occasions, when Christians meet together for mutual pleasure and sociability, that sacred music would be a delightful resource. Is any merry, let him sing psalms.' It is the natural expression of holy cheerfulness, anticipating one of the joys and occupations of the heavenly state." Mrs. Vincent was now solicited by Mr. Palmer, who was fond of music, to take her seat at the piano. She played and sung extremely well, and after performing with much softness and grace, the beautiful pastoral symphony with which Handel introduces one of his songs of the "Messiah," she sang the recitative, "There were shepherds abiding in the field." Leighton was so charmed with the lovely sounds and divine subject, that he almost forgot where he was, till roused from his reverie by the cessation of the music, and Mr. Vincent's approaching Mr. Arlington, and requesting he would conclude the evening with family prayer. It was by no means the custom in Mr. Vincent's house, to have this observance on usual occasions; nor would it have answered very well, for the company was generally of too mixed a character; but Mr. Arlington made it a rule never to leave any house, without thus acting as a Christian minister, reading some portion of the word of God, and praying for pardon and a blessing before separation. In whatever house he found this duty impracticable, he never accepted a second invitation. The Bible was now produced: Mr. Arlington selected the twelfth chapter of Romans, and made a few short observations on the first verses; he was careful not to be tedious, for he perceived his audience little disposed to attention. Mr. Kerr was not present, he having left the party before tea, to attend an en gagement at some literary club; Dr. Harewood had also departed, and the rest of the gentlemen seemed stupid and sleepy, (with the exception of Leighton,) and the ladies were looking pale and wearied, and as if they would have yawned, had good breeding permitted. They had no great reason to complain, however, of the portion of time dedicated to religion; for Mr. Arlington's reading and prayer did not occupy more than one quarter of an hour. Immediately afterwards he took his leave, and left the house, accompanied by Leighton. 240 CHAPTER X. There is joy in heaven, There is joy in heaven, When the sheep that went astray BISHOP HEBER. FOR a day or two, Leighton did not go to Upper Brooke-street: he felt deeply grieved at Henry's marked avoidance of his society, and he thought it best to wait a little to see if his absence would produce any inquiry. Meanwhile, he continued in earnest, unceasing prayer for his friend, assured that this would do more in bringing means of deliverance from the snares of the tempter, than the most watchful guardianship that human prudence could devise. But while Leighton's mind was thus in a state of suspense and painful exercise, sustained only by faith and prayer, Henry was undergoing a discipline also, well suited to the circumstances into which he had fallen. Henry was far from happy, the evening his friend had spent at Mr. Vincent's; nor did he sleep well that night. The next day, he expected, and dreaded, a visit from Leighton; and it was considerable relief to him when evening closed in, and brought no intrusion: not that he had ceased to love and respect him, but he felt bis presence a burden and a reproach. Yet he liked his present mode of life too well to wish to change it, or to be candid, in confessing his uneasiness and misgivings to any one. A second day passed over, and Leighton did not come. This circumstance was at once a relief and a disappointment; for Henry knew his friend's affection too well not to be assured, that his absence could only be caused by wounded feeling. That night he went to bed in no very comfortable state of mind. He tried to pray, but his heart was cold, and his thoughts wandered. After tossing uneasily on his pillow for some time, he fell into a kind of imperfect slumber, from whence he was suddenly aroused by a sensation of cramp in the breast. He sat up in his bed, and gasped with agony. In a few minutes, the pain relaxed, but, after a short interval, returned again, and thus repeated its attacks five or six times. A cold, icy chill came over his whole frame, a damp dew stood on his forehead, and now he thought the grasp of death was upon him. In all the energy of a last effort for selfpreservation, he sprang from his bed, threw on his R |