d it, I tell you. I've sufferings
enough without that. If you think there's danger, save me from it; and
then, in gratitude, I'll hear whatever you like to say.'

I accordingly dropped the unwelcome topic. And now, Frederick, I think I
may bring my letter to a close. From these details you may form your own
judgment of the state of my patient, and of my own position and future
prospects. Let me hear from you soon, and I will write again to tell you
how we get on; but now that my presence is tolerated, and even required,
in the sick-room, I shall have but little time to spare between my
husband and my son,--for I must not entirely neglect the latter: it would
not do to keep him always with Rachel, and I dare not leave him for a
moment with any of the other servants, or suffer him to be alone, lest he
should meet them. If his father get worse, I shall ask Esther Hargrave
to take charge of him for a time, till I have reorganised the household
at least; but I greatly prefer keeping him under my own eye.

I find myself in rather a singular position: I am exerting my utmost
endeavours to promote the recovery and reformation of my husband, and if
I succeed, what shall I do? My duty, of course,--but how? No matter; I
can perform the task that is before me now, and God will give me strength
to do whatever He requires hereafter. Good-by, dear Frederick.

HELEN HUNTINGDON.

'What do you think of it?' said Lawrence, as I silently refolded the
letter.

'It seems to me,' returned I, 'that she is casting her pearls before
swine. May they be satisfied with trampling them under their feet, and
not turn again and rend her! But I shall say no more against her: I see
that she was actuated by the best and noblest motives in what she has
done; and if the act is not a wise one, may heaven protect her from its
consequences! May I keep this letter, Lawrence?--you see she has never
once mentioned me throughout--or made the most distant allusion to me;
therefore, there can be no impropriety or harm in it.'

'And, therefore, why should you wish to keep it?'

'Were not these characters written by her hand? and were not these words
conceived in her mind, and many of them spoken by her lips?'

'Well,' said he. And so I kept it; otherwise, Halford, you could never
have become so thoroughly acquainted with its contents.

'And when you write,' said I, 'will you have the goodne