good-natured little friend, Janet told Emily and Arthur she would give them a holiday that morning, and bade them prepare to walk with her to Rutherford Park. She had no lessons till later in the day, and she determined to take the present opportunity of consulting Lady Rutherford, intending to be guided by her friend's opinion as to the propriety and advisability, in her present position, of her joining the contemplated gaiety at Combe Hill; for the extreme kindness of the two Mrs. Wyndhams had greatly complicated the question, and shaken her original resolution.

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" I do not wonder at your disinclination to break through your present habit of seclusion, my dear girl," said Lady Rutherford, when Janet had related the cause of her embarrassment; "but there must be a struggle, whenever it is done, and I agree with Mrs. Wyndham that it should be no longer delayed."

"Do you really? it will indeed be a struggle!"

"Poor girl! but you must remember that for the sake of the children, as well as for your own, it is your duty to make this sacrifice of your feelings, and to do your utmost to maintain your position-not only to keep friends, but to make them also, if possible." "For Emily's and Arthur's sakes---yes, I understand."

"You will go, Janet?"
"Yes, I will," replied Janet.

On her return home, she wrote at once to Mrs. Featherstone, and to Annie; while the communication of her decision to Sarah, opened the flood-gates to such a torrent of extatic eloquence, as the dull walls of their mutual home had certainly never echoed, since they had been its tenants.

Janet, satisfied with herself, and gratified and amused by Sarah's raptures, began, even now, to reap the fruits of the sacrifice

she had made, by finding its apparent pains and disagreeables already diminishing; and by the time all her preparations were made, and Mrs. Wyndham's carriage arrived to convey her to Harefied, she acknowledged to herself, that it no longer seemed a sacrifice at all, and that she hoped and expected great enjoyment from her visit.

*

*

CHAPTER XI.

Let rich music's tongue
Unfold the imagined happiness that both

Receive in either, by this dear encounter.

Romeo and Juliet.

Dich liebt'ich immer, dich lieb'ich noch Heut,
Und werde dich lieben in Ewigkeit.

UHLAND.

It was near the dinner hour when Janet reached her destination. Through the considerate kindness of Mrs. Rigby, and the absence from home of Dr. Norton's little girl, she had been able to accept Mrs. Wyndham's invitation to join the circle at Harefield, on the day preceding the party; but from Combe Hill she must return home at once, to which arrangement her

friends had perforce, though very unwillingly, consented.

It was a cheerful party at dinner that day. The four persons, composing the Harefield family, all appeared so thoroughly happy, and all were so kind, so eager to show attention to Janet, and to make her feel that she was rather conferring a favour by joining them, than receiving one herself. She was very happy among them, and very grateful for all the kindness bestowed upon her.

The ladies were not very long in the drawing-room after dinner, before the gentlemen joined them. And then Annie sat down to make tea, while Janet and Edward drew their chairs to her table, leaving the two elders in their usual places on each side of the fire. The evenings were already growing chill, and a wintry aspect was once more creeping over all in door arrange