e my theft, and make my compensation. In
vain I looked round the little neat kitchen: no one appeared.

I was just going out, when the sound of a soft female voice over head
arrested my attention. Impelled by a curiosity which, considering the
rank of the inhabitants, I did not feel it necessary to resist, I softly
stole up the narrow stairs, cautiously stooping as I ascended, the
lowness of the ceiling not allowing me to walk upright. I stood still at
the door of a little chamber, which was left half open to admit the air.
I gently put my head through. What were my emotions when I saw Lucilla
Stanley kneeling by the side of a little clean bed, a large old Bible
spread open on the bed before her, out of which she was reading one of
the penitential Psalms to a pale emaciated female figure, who lifted up
her failing eyes, and clasped her feeble hands in solemn attention!

Before two little bars, which served for a grate, knelt Ph[oe]be, with
one hand stirring some broth which she had brought from home, and with
the other fanning with her straw bonnet the dying embers, in order to
make the broth boil; yet seemingly attentive to her sister's reading.
Her disheveled hair, the deep flush which the fire, and her labor of
love gave her naturally animated countenance, formed a fine contrast to
the angelic tranquillity and calm devotion which sat on the face of
Lucilla. Her voice was inexpressibly sweet and penetrating, while faith,
hope, and charity seemed to beam from her fine uplifted eyes. On account
of the closeness of the room, she had thrown off her hat, cloak, and
gloves, and laid them on the bed; and her fine hair, which had escaped
from its confinement, shaded that side of her face which was next the
door, and prevented her seeing me.

I scarcely dared to breathe, lest I should interrupt such a scene. It
was a subject not unworthy of Raphael. She next began to read the
forty-first Psalm, with the meek, yet solemn emphasis of devout feeling:
"Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy, the Lord shall
deliver him in the time of trouble." Neither the poor woman nor myself
could hold out any longer. She was overcome by her gratitude and I by my
admiration, and we both at the same moment involuntarily exclaimed,
Amen! I sprang forward with a motion which I could no longer control.
Lucilla saw me, started up in confusion,

And blushed
Celestial rosy red,

then eagerly endeavoring to conceal the Bib