about to answer it, when she was interrupted, and had no opportunity of renewing the conversation that day. The next day, a fair was held in the town adjoining Sir George Pemberton's seat, to which Henry and Edward's uncle, when on a visit there, had prevailed on their parents, to give them leave to go FOR ONCE; but, it was so much against their inclinations and principles, (as they wished to discourage fairs by all means in their power, considering them to be, in every sense, bad and dangerous places,) that Lady Pemberton was very sorry to be reminded of the promise when the day came, especially as she could not accompany them, because their father was in bed with the gout, and

the baby was alarmingly ill; but, she trusted that her servants were to be depended upon; and that Edward and Henry were old enough to take care of themselves.

To their mamma's question" whether they had any money in their pockets," they replied "no; but that they hoped she would allow them to have the two half-crowns to spend which their uncle had sent them."

"Without doubt," she answered, "but, as bad money is often put off at fairs, I will give you yours in shillings and sixpences, that you may not have to take change." Soon after this conversation, Edward and Henry, accompanied by the two nursery-maids and the younger children, set off full of joyful expect

ation; but their wise and pious mother felt rather anxious concerning the result of this visit to the fair, blaming herself for having trusted them into its busy tempting scenes, unaided by her careful eye, and unadmonished by her prudence. However, thought she, by the use which they will make of their money I shall, perhaps, be enabled to discover their besetting sin, and the bent of their dispositions, and I shall learn whether I have overrated Edward, and underrated Henry; and as for any thing else, why should I doubt the mercy of an overruling Providence?

In a succession of painful duties, Lady Pemberton passed the hours of her children's absence; nor could

she see them immediately on their return; but just before their bedtime she came down to wish them good night, and ask them whether they had enjoyed themselves. "Oh! very much!" was the reply of both the boys; but it was uttered, by Henry with a flushed cheek; by Edward with a cheek paler than usual, and in a tone, as she thought, of saddened feeling; " and what does Alice say of your behaviour?" said Lady Pemberton, turning to the upper nurse-maid, "were Henry and Edward all you wished them to be?"-"Oh! dear Madam," she replied with some hesitation, "you know that Master Edward and Master Henry are always well-behaved." Lady Pemberton was not

quite satisfied with this answer; she thought it evasive, and she saw Edward look down, as if uncomfortable; but she had no time to ask any questions then, and, kissing the boys, she returned to her suffering husband. But when he was fallen asleep, and all the house was at rest but herself, the tender mother could not be easy without going to the bedside of Edward and Henry; as she felt an anxiety concerning them which she was unable to conquer.

Ed

She found the cheeks of Henry red even to feverish brilliancy, and his slumbers seemed restless. ward's colour was but gently heightened by sleep, but a tear glistened on his cheek, and his eyelashes were moist with tears.