loaf-bread at all; and think,
besides, dearest, that there are, in the higher circles, a great number
of persons whose children are absolutely denied these comforts, by
advice of their physicians. Our natural wants, my dear Maria, are but
simple, and easily satisfied; it is wealth and luxury only that corrupt
and vitiate them. In this case, then, dearest, the Christian must speak,
and act, and feel as well as the parent. You understand me now, love,
and that is sufficient. I have not succeeded in procuring anything for
you or them, but you may rest assured that God will not desert us."

"Yes, dear Charles," replied his wife, whose black mellow eyes beamed
with joy; "all that is true, but you forgot that Dr. Turbot has arrived
to receive his tithes, and you will now receive your stipend. That will
carry us out of our present difficulty at least."

"My dear Maria, it is enough to say that Dr. Turbot is in a position
immeasurably more distressed and dreadful than ours. Purcel, his
proctor, has been able to receive only about fifty pounds out of his
usual half-yearly income of eight hundred. From him we are to expect
nothing at present. I know not, in fact, how he and his family will bear
this dreadful privation; for dreadful it must be to those who have lived
in the enjoyment of such luxuries."

"That is indeed dreadful to such a family, and I pity them from
my heart," replied his wife; "but, dearest,Charles, what are we to
do?--except a small crust of bread, there is no food in the house for
either them or you." As she uttered the words their eyes met, and
his gentle and soothing Maria, who had been sitting beside him, threw
herself upon his bosom--he clasped his arms around her--pressed her
with melancholy affection to his heart, and they both wept together.

At length he added, "But you think not of yourself, my Maria."

"I!" she replied; "ah! what am I? Anything, you know, will suffice
for me--but you and they, my dearest Charles--and then poor Lilly, the
servant; but, dearest," she exclaimed, with a fresh, and if possible,
a more tender embrace, "I am not at all repining--I am happy with
you--happy, happy--and never, never, did I regret the loss of my great
and powerful friends less than I do at this moment, which enables me
to see and appreciate the virtues and affection to which my heart is
wedded, and which I long since appreciated."

Her husband forced a smile, and kissed her with an air of cheerfulness.

"