and eternity close at hand. Though too ill to read, or even to
listen to the words of life, she could remember many of them in her
heart, and think of them to her comfort in this season of trial.
Sometimes she was able to talk to her mother for a few minutes, when
it was plain that her mind was chiefly filled with thoughts of Christ
and things divine. And she often said that, if it should be the will
of God to restore her to health, she hoped for grace to devote herself
to his service, and to live more to his glory than she had ever done
before. She also spoke oftener to her sister, begging her to think of
her soul, to read her Bible more, and to seek for the pardon of her
sins; and Louisa, who was in great distress at the thought of losing
her, was ready to promise anything that she asked. But it did not
appear that she was under any concern for her own state; and this was
a great trouble to poor Emma, who now felt more than ever the need of
preparing for the world to come.

It pleased God to spare her life, though she grew better very slowly,
and it was many weeks before she could leave her room. When her long
and painful illness was over, she was again able to share with Louisa
in her lessons and her pleasures, so that in time those weeks of grief
and suffering seemed to be forgotten; but they were not forgotten by
Emma: she did not forget the mercies she had received, and the resolve
which she had made of leading a holy life: she daily prayed for an
humble and watchful mind, and for grace to keep her from falling into
sin; and, as you may suppose, she loved her Bible more and more for
the comfort which it had given her in the time of trouble. She still
took pleasure in reading it alone, and prayed that she might have
grace to obey its commands, so that it might be a lamp unto her feet
and a light unto her path. Psa. cxix, 105.

CHAPTER IX.

AUNT HARDING'S RETURN.

And now two more years had passed away, and the time when their aunt
Harding's return was looked for had come. They had talked of it all
through the winter; and when spring was over, and summer begun, the
happy tidings came that the ship had arrived in safety, and their
uncle and aunt Harding were on their way to visit them once more. I
will leave you to guess the joy that was felt by all; and you must
picture to yourself the pleasure of their meeting soon afterward: how
thankful all were that they were spared to behold each other again;
with