upon the way we acquit
ourselves here. Learn to bear and forbear; and in the end, Arthur, you
will come out so brightly, with your pride perhaps subdued, but not
conquered, and we shall once more be happy."

Arthur sighed.

"And oh, Arthur! oh, my brother! think, we two are all to each other
here. We have nought to lean upon save each other's love and _Him_. Dear
Arthur, if you should--if one of us should be led into temptation, and
should fall, and should go down into the pit of sin, what a blank would
be the existence of the other! Oh! let us pray that our hearts may be
bound together, and that no shadow may be allowed to fall upon or divide
us."

"Oh, Guly, Guly!"

Arthur started up, and throwing his arms about his brother's form, as he
crept up closer to his side, drew the bright head down upon his bosom,
and held it there, rocking backwards and forwards where he sat.

"Pray God, indeed!" he murmured, earnestly, lifting his swimming eyes to
Heaven, "that I may sin no more. That I may ever keep bright the links
of this dear love, which is to us as the thread of life; and oh! may He
whose ways are the ways of righteousness, take us by the hand, like
little children, and guide our steps aright."

"Amen! Amen!"

CHAPTER X.

_The Merchant at Home._

It was late when Della awoke, and Minny lay with her cheek on her hand,
just fallen into her first sleep.

"Minny! Minny!"

"Bernard!" murmured the girl, in her half-disturbed sleep.

"Minny, I say!"

"Yes, Miss."

"Bring me my watch, Min, and show me the hour. Didn't I hear you say
'Bernard,' just now, in your sleep? You haven't any Bernard; that's for
me to say."

"No, Miss, I haven't any Bernard."

"Well, then, you shouldn't talk so in your sleep."

"True enough."

"Well, no matter, Minny; it wasn't my Bernard you mean't, I am quite
sure. May be you were talking about those priests on that great snowy
mountain, somewhere in the world, which you made me so sleepy reading
about the other evening?"

"The Monks of St. Bernard, Miss."

"Yes; how droll!"

"Will you get up, Miss Della?"

"Yes; how late, Min? I forgot to look, after all."

"A quarter past nine."

"Papa must have gone."

"He never goes down street before seeing you."

"Dear papa! Minny, wheel my little chair in front of the dressing-glass.
I'll be with you in a second."

"It is ready, Miss."

"There, Min, I left my note under my pillow! Bring it, and let me read
it