ligion, which was evinced
by their uniform good conduct, afforded a certain proof of excellent
management at home. She made many enquiries concerning Jane, and
determined to keep her eye on her, and to find some opportunity of doing
service to one who so well merited kindness and assistance. Mr Barker
did not tell Jane all this; but he told her enough to cause tears of
pleasure to swell into her eyes, and emotions of unspeakable gratitude
to arise in her heart. She reserved the expression of this gratitude
till, alone in her chamber, she could pour out her whole soul before Him
who had directed and upheld her steps on the narrow path of duty, and
who was now showering rich blessings upon her, and filling her heart
with peace and hope. She thanked him that he had preserved them to each
other, and yet more, that their family peace was unbroken: that they
were closely united in the love of Him and of each other. She felt that
as long as this love subsisted she could bear any trials that came from
without; and though she looked forward to probable anxieties and
difficulties, the prospect did not dismay her, so strong did she now
feel in an Almighty support, and in perfect reliance on the goodness and
mercy which was now about her, and which, she trusted, would follow her
all the days of her life. It was not indeed to be expected that every
year should pass away so smoothly. They had all enjoyed health and
comfort at home, improvement and pleasure abroad. They had gained new
friends, and so far from suffering want, their affairs bore a more
cheering aspect than they could have hoped. Their income amounted, as I
have said, to eighty pounds a year, and they had besides a house of
their own. They had been at scarcely any expense for clothes, and their
good servant Hannah had very low wages. Their expenditure this year,
under Jane's excellent management, was only fifty-six pounds: the rest
of their income, with Jane's salary of twenty-five pounds, went
therefore towards the fund which their friends had raised for the
education of the three younger ones. Charles managed to be independent,
as we know, and Isabella hoped that in four or five years she might be
so too. Jane never expected to spend so little again. She could not
hope that their house would be always so free from sickness, or that
their wants would always be so few.

Mr Barker, after examining her accounts, and praising the accuracy with
which they were