ubt, that he
is religious, that he is attached to his family, that he is considerate
to others, that he is courageous and patient. This is a great deal to
have learned in twenty-four hours. If I were to consider myself alone,
I might rejoice in this accident. I have gained a valuable friend, and
received a lesson which I shall never forget, at the expense of only a
few hours of salutary pain. But I am the last person to be considered.
Better fruits even than these may spring from this calamity, to those
who have at present suffered more from it."

The journey with Mr Everett was cheerful and pleasant. Charles had now
the opportunity of learning a great deal about his sister Jane; and all
that he heard gave him pleasure. His home and its inmates had been
forgotten for some hours, but now he began again to anticipate the
pleasures of meeting, though with much less confidence than before. At
first he felt almost sure that something would yet happen to delay their
meeting; but when they were within five miles of the city, he began to
recognise some well-known object at every step, and to feel a quieter
hope that at length he should reach his journey's end in peace. He
started up at the first sight of the Cathedral towers, and gazed at them
till he actually passed them. Then he looked for familiar faces, and as
the chaise turned the corner into the market-place, a boy looked up from
the foot pavement, who, tall as he was, could, Charles was sure, be no
other than Alfred. "It _is_ Alfred," said Mr Everett, "going home to
tea, I guess. You will find them just sitting down to tea, the lessons
all learned, the business all done, and nothing to do but to talk and
listen."

The chaise stopped, and Charles was soon on his way home, with his
little trunk under his arm. When Hannah answered his knock, she knew
him instantly, and started back, calling, "Miss Jane, Miss Jane!"

Miss Jane rose from the tea-table, and she and Charles met at the
parlour door. "Charles! my dear, dear Charles! What can have brought
you? What are you here for?"

"I am come to see you, my dearest; and you, and you," added he, turning
to the others, as they pressed round him. "I am come for a whole
fortnight. Now, dearest, I have taken you too much by surprise," for
Jane's tears flowed fast. "Come, come, compose yourself. Look up, and
smile at me."

Jane hung on his shoulder. He led her to a chair, Isabella seated
herself on the other