her
departure was so near at hand; but still Mary did not waver in her
determination, though a word from her mother would have changed the
whole color of her plans. That mother saw that for her children's sake
it was best that they should part again for a season--and she stifled
the wish to have them remain by her side. So Mary went forth into the
world once more with a stronger and bolder spirit, to brave alike the
sneers and the temptations which might there beset her pathway; with
the blessings of her parents, the thanks of an idolized brother, and
"a conscience void of offence," she could but be calmly happy, even
though surrounded by circumstances which often jarred upon her pure
and delicate nature, and which would have crushed one less conscious
of future peace and present rectitude.

Beside, Mr. Loring had seemed, she knew not why, to take a deep
interest in all her movements. He had begged permission, at parting,
to write to her occasionally; and his letters, full of friendly advice
and inquiry, became a great and increasing source of pleasure. There
was nothing in them that a kind brother might not have addressed to a
young and gentle sister; and Mary's replies were dictated in the same
spirit of candor and esteem. So gradually her simple and child-like
character was unfolded to her new friend, who encouraged all that was
noble, and strove to check each lighter and vainer feeling which
sprung up in her heart. At times she wondered why one so wise and so
good should seem interested in her welfare; but gradually she ceased
to wonder why he wrote, so that his letters did not fail to reach her.
Still noisy and fatiguing labor claimed her daily care; but in the
long quiet evenings she found time for study and reflection; thus
becoming, even in that rude school, "a perfect woman, nobly planned."

CHAPTER IV.

THE REWARD.

Are you fond of _tableaux_, dear readers? If so, let me finish my
simple recital by placing before you two scenes in the life of our
little heroine--something after the fashion of dissolving views.

Four years had passed since first we looked in upon that quiet country
home. Four years of cheerful toil--of mingled trial--despondency and
hope to those who then gathered around that blazing hearth. One, as
we have seen, had been taken to a higher mansion--others had gone
forth into the world, strong only in noble hearts, firm in the path of
rectitude. We have witnessed the commencement of the