Page images
PDF
EPUB

indissoluble of ties. Ethel's reserve wore off-as Ravensworth conversed with her and listened to her undisguised sentiments and experienced her gentle kindness, that was ever showing her devoted affection for him, he wondered he had not always liked her better than Clementine. "Ah," thought he, "there are many that attract you with their external charms and their singular powers of fascination. And in society how often do these stand foremost, receiving all the attention and winning general admiration; easy in their manner, ready in their wit, they contrive to ingratiate themselves with mere outward observers — with such as have no private opportunity of judging in moments when the character is without any assumption, and appears as it really is with its virtues and its faults. There are some it takes a long time to be thoroughly acquainted with, they are more difficult of access, more reserved, and impress the eye of the stranger less favorably. These must be known as they themselves seek to know others: before they display either interest or warmth of feeling; but if they are courted in sincerity, or there is an occasion in the onset of acquaintance to reveal their innate qualifications, how much superior goodness emerges from that cold reserve, which is the barrier to friendly intercourse. Upon such a discovery of their hidden worth they are loved and truly valued with undiminishing esteem."

Sydney Ravensworth and Ethel Montgomery were married. Their love was equally ardent, and from the similarity of their dispositions and congeniality of spirit no thought was entertained that the union of such hearts would fail on realizing permanent domestic joy.

As the health of Ravensworth had been impaired under the peculiar circumstances that had oppressed him, after the wedding he left England with his bride for two months, and returned at the expiration of that time to Glen-Beville perfectly restored. Then Ethel commenced a daily routine of duty that brought both pleasure and satisfaction to her. In the course of three years the living of Glen-Beville was presented to Ravensworth upon the death of the old Rector by the patron-a nobleman, who occupied the mansion of Oakwood, and who had heard of his disinterested and almost unexampled conduct.

We trust that real life has in it many such noble characters, that the church has many similar pillars of grace and goodness to uphold her, to reflect the animating light of their pure works before men, and who thereby "glorify their Father which is in Heaven."

[graphic][merged small][graphic][merged small][graphic][merged small]
[graphic][subsumed][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »