the bare fact; but Colonel Leicester knew of a channel by which he thought he could get more information, and had promised to do so. Though Rosamond felt utterly powerless in the presence of so great a sorrow, she could not rise up and leave the poor lone creature, and it was Mrs. Mackenzie herself who remarked the fast declining day-light, and begged she would not remain longer. Her presence had been a greater comfort to the poor woman than she had imagined, for though she could say but little, her unaffected sympathy had been very grateful. She bade her an affectionate farewell, promising to return very soon, and walked slowly home, meditating deeply on this visit, in which she had learnt many things. She often afterwards went to see this poor afflicted one; she talked to her of her own sorrow, and always felt the better of spending an hour in that lowly abode. She now knew the pleasure of exchanging thought and feeling with one who truly loved God; nor was the pleasure only on her side; her visits were the greatest comfort to the widow, and soon Rosamond had the happiness of seeing a glad smile light up the poor thin pale face on her entrance. It is not to be supposed because Rosamond had been born anew, was now a child of grace and heir of the kingdom of heaven, that she was to find all smooth, pleasant, and easy; and to have nothing but joy and peace,

Though she felt that she had that which the world could not give her or take from her, still she often experienced disappointment, and even discouragement at the conflict between the old things and the new. She hardly yet understood the magnitude or the unceasing nature of the struggle upon which she had entered, when she had enlisted under the banner of the Captain of her salvation. She had declared war against the world, the flesh, and the devil; these are no mean powers, and she tried too often to meet them in her own strength. She read in Scripture that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it? nevertheless, we often think we are wiser than what is written, and Rosamond thought she did know her own heart; then, when she found it siding with her enemies, she would be grievously vexed; but she had learned now to cry, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

L

CHAPTER XI.

FOR long after Alfred's death it was a painful exertion to Rosamond to receive or pay visits; and often it was with the greatest difficulty she could maintain any degree of composure under the wellmeant but injudicious condolences that were frequently offered. Mrs. Grant was one of the very few she had really pleasure in seeing; and, though in one sense it was very trying to her going to Achnacraig, because her dear little brother had always been with her there, yet Mrs. Grant had so truly loved the child, and grieved for his loss, and she was so simple and unaffected in her sympathy, that Rosamond liked to talk with her of Alfred, and she knew too that a visit was generally acceptable to the kind old lady, who had many a solitary hour.

Papa, if you do not want William this morning, I should like to have the carriage to go to Achnacraig; I cannot walk there now. I I cannot cross the Roggie without Toddlekins, and I cannot bear to take him. I have tried him once

or twice, but I cannot stand it; the creature always looks as if he was asking where”

She stopped, and Colonel Leicester immediately answered,

"By all means take the carriage, dearest. I wish I could have gone with you, but I promised to go to-day with Macdougall about that wood he wants to sell. He has been wanting me to see about it for some time past. I am glad you are going to see Mrs. Grant."

Rosamond found Mrs. Grant as usual, alone.
"Susan is out, I suppose."

"Oh yes, she said she had so much to do today, she did not know which way to turn. I suppose I shall not see her even for a minute; she is going to Edinburgh to-morrow."

"Going to Edinburgh! and to leave you alone? What is she going to do there ?"

Mrs. Grant did not say that it made little difference to her whether Susan was at home or not. She only answered,

"She is going to visit some friends of the name of Robertson. I do not know them, but they seem very kind people, and it will be a little change for Susan."

Rosamond gave a little sort of grunt; but she did not say what was on the tip of her tongue. "Well, dear Mrs. Grant, I'll tell you what you

must do. You must pack up too, and come over to Glenmona to-morrow, and give papa and me the pleasure of a visit.”

"Oh, my dear child, you are always kind and thoughtful, but I cannot think of troubling you with a stupid old body like me. I shall do very well here, and you will come and see me sometimes."

"No; I shall not come and see you. You must come to Glenmona. I shall ring for Jessie, and tell her to make her preparations."

"My dear Rosamond, are you sure your father

"Now; what are you going to say about papa? I can tell you the first thing he will say when I go back and tell him Susan is going to Edinburgh; he will say, 'Well, I hope you have asked Mrs. Grant to come here.""

Jessie entered.

"Jessie," said Rosamond, "Mrs. Grant is coming to Glenmona to-morrow to stay with us while Miss Grant is away, so you must begin and get ready. Don't you think it will be much better for her than sitting here by herself?".

"Yes, to be sure, ma'am," said Jessie, "much more heartsome for the dear lady. She is too much alone."

Jessie was the devoted hand-maid of Mrs. Grant, whom she had served for nearly twenty years, and