that it was often put off till after breakfast, and then
it commonly happened that she had other things to do, and did not read
it at all. Emma would sometimes gently remind her that her Bible
reading had been forgotten; but this made Louisa so cross that she
left off doing so at last. The truth was, that this poor child had no
real love for the Scriptures; and as she did not seek for grace to
help her, the good resolves that she had made passed away quickly from
her mind.

The difference between the sisters was seen in their outward conduct;
for Emma's reading of the Bible would have been in vain if the effects
had not been shown in her temper and daily life. I do not mean to say
that she never went wrong; for Emma had still an evil nature, and a
sinful heart, often leading her to forget the commands of God. But she
was truly sorry when this had been the case, and would ask to be
forgiven with many tears; and she also prayed for divine grace, that
she might try to be more watchful for the time to come. Louisa, on the
other hand, thought too highly of herself to be easily convinced of a
fault; and as she seldom received reproof in an humble and proper
manner, she made but little progress toward improvement.

CHAPTER V.

LETTERS FROM INDIA.

Some months passed before there came a letter from Mrs. Harding; for
India, as you know, is many thousands of miles from here, and it takes
a long time for a ship to sail over the wide sea which lies between.
But great was the joy of the children and their mother when at last
the good tidings came that, through the mercy of God, their friends
had reached that distant country, safe and well. Louisa danced and
clapped her hands; and Emma felt very happy, sitting beside her
mother, and looking up in her face, while she read the letter through
tears of pleasure.

Mrs. Harding had written a few lines to the children, which their
mother read aloud to them, and then allowed them to look at for
themselves. The words were these: "I often think of you, dear Louisa
and Emma, and pray for divine blessings upon you both; and I hope to
hear that you are giving yourselves to the Saviour, who died upon the
cross for you. You know the love of Jesus for the young; his kindness
to them when he was upon earth; and the tender way in which he still
invites them to come to him. Go, then, to Christ without delay: ask
him to be your friend, and you will be happy for evermore."

A few weeks af