more gentle and tractable, and hoped that he really exercised some
control over his passionate temper; but it was only, for the time, the
want of provocation, and the restraining influence of his sister's
presence, which kept him from any serious out-break. The grace of God
alone could materially change Lewie Elwyn now.

Agnes remained many months in attendance upon her mother, who failed
very gradually. As she grew weaker, she became more exacting; and
though never betrayed into any expression of affection for Agnes, yet
she was not willing to have her out of her sight for a moment. The
consciousness of being useful to her mother, was sufficient reward for
sleepless nights and days of close confinement; and Agnes resisted all
Lewie's entreaties that she would leave the sick room for a while each
day, and take a stroll with him.

Had Lewie been inclined to dissipation, this would have been a dangerous
time for him; for his wonderful musical powers made him such a favorite,
that no gathering was thought complete without him. As long as Agnes was
at C----, he preferred spending his evenings with her to any party of
pleasure; and after he could no longer enjoy her society, and when he
began again to mingle in scenes of festivity, though sometimes betrayed
into excesses, he never was habitually dissipated.

Mrs. Elwyn lingered on, becoming weaker and weaker, until, after Agnes
had been with her about six months, she perceived that she was failing
more rapidly, and at length was informed by the physician, that her
mother could live but very few days longer. Agnes hastily summoned Mr.
and Mrs. Wharton, who arrived only in time to witness the death-bed
scene. Just before her death, Mrs. Elwyn seemed to awake to a sudden
realization of the great mistakes of her life with regard to her son and
daughter. She seemed to see now, as clearly as others had seen all
along, the evils of her own management, and to trace the unhappy results
to their proper source. It was sad to hear her, when all too late to
remedy these evils, lament over "a wasted life--a worse than wasted
life;" and so, with words of remorse upon her lips, she, who had had
such power for good in her hands, passed away from earth.

And Agnes returned to her uncle's house, leaving her brother at college.
As soon as she had taken a little time to recruit, and to consider, she
began to look about for a situation as governess, much against the
wishes of every member of h