is quite as
wicked. But after all, mother, I don't think there is any danger of my
breaking the first commandment.'

'Do you remember the text Harry repeated at the table this morning? "Let
him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."'

Effie looked very thoughtful for a moment, and then laying her face in
her mother's lap, she said: 'It is not because I am so good that I think
so, mother; I know I am very wicked, but I am sure that I love my
heavenly Father better than any thing else.'

'I am glad to believe you do,' said Mrs Maurice, drawing the child
nearer to her and kissing her cheek. 'I am persuaded that calmly and
deliberately you would not prefer the world to Him. But perpetual
distrust of self, with constant trust in God, is your only ground of
safety. Those who do not fall, may for a moment slip, and you with all
the rest of us must watch and pray.'

CHAPTER II.

PLANS PROPOSED.

The conversation that Effie Maurice had had with her mother made a very
deep impression on her mind; but still, with all the confidence of one
who has had but few trials, she was grieved that any one should suppose
she could for a moment forget her heavenly Father, or prefer any thing
to His glory and honour. She repeated what her mother had said to her
brother Harry, and he increased her self-confidence by recalling a great
many little sacrifices she had made, which he was quite sure other young
persons would not do.

'And now, Effie,' said the kind-hearted brother, 'we will talk no more
about this, for it makes you very sober. Remember that to-morrow is New
Year's day, and we've got the money to spend that Aunt Norton sent us,
so we must be out early, or all the prettiest things will be sold. I
went by Mr T.'s shop to-night, and it was all lighted up so that I could
see great sticks of candy, almost as big round as my wrist, and jars of
sweetmeats, and there was a rocking horse all saddled and bridled, and
the neatest little whip you ever did see, and _such_ a little rifle--but
I forgot, girls don't mind those things; let me think--I dare say there
were dolls, though I didn't look for them, and then such a pretty little
rocking-chair all cushioned with purple silk, just about big enough for
dolly, and heaps of other nice things--so we must be out early, Effie.'

'Harry--'

'What is it, Effie?'

'I was thinking--'

'What about? Do you want something I haven't mentioned? I dare say it is
there.'

'