for trespassing
on the precints of gaiety.

Faith strongly resembled her father, as well in externals as in the
character of her mind. Her figure was slender, approaching even to
delicacy, though without any appearance of sickliness. Her face, pale
and thoughtful usually, was sometimes lighted up with an enthusiasm
more angelic than human. Her mother having died when she was too young
to appreciate the loss, she had concentrated upon her father all that
love which is generally divided between two parents. Nor was it with
a feeling of love only she regarded him. With it was mixed a sentiment
of reverence amounting almost to idolatry. No opinion, no thought,
no word, no look of his but had for her a value. And richly was the
affection of the child returned by the father, and proud was he of
her, notwithstanding his struggles against the feeling as something
sinful.

It was the first time since the accident to Pownal that Mr. Armstrong
or his daughter had seen him, and the conversation naturally turned
upon the danger he had incurred.

"It was a providential escape," said Mr. Armstrong. "It is astonishing
how many dangers we run into, and our escapes may be considered as
so many daily miracles to prove the interposition of a controlling
Providence. There are few persons who cannot look back upon several
such in the course of their lives."

"You are right, my friend," said the Judge. "I can recall half a dozen
in my own experience; and if some have had fewer, some, doubtless,
have had more."

"These accidents are, I suspect, the consequences of our own
carelessness in nine cases out of ten," said Pownal. "At any rate, I
am sure it was my carelessness that occasioned mine."

"You speak as if it could have been avoided," said Mr. Armstrong.

"Certainly. Do you not think so?"

"I am not sure of it," said Mr. Armstrong. "There appears to be a
chain which links events together in an inevitable union. The very
carelessness of which you accuse yourself may be the means purposely
used to bring about important events."

"It has brought about very agreeable events for me," said Pownal. "I
am only afraid, from the care lavished upon me, I shall be tempted to
think too much of myself."

"It has scattered pleasure all around, then," said Mrs. Bernard,
kindly.

"Yes," said the Judge; "any attention we can render is more than
repaid by the pleasure Mr. Pownal's presence imparts. If he should
ever think more highly of himse