eep-drawn
sigh exclaimed:

'Alas! this awful fire not only deprived us of a great part of our
fortune, but, far worse, of her who formed our chief joy, our cherished
daughter. Amid the frightful panic that prevailed, whilst my wife and I
endeavoured to save some of our most valuable effects from the rage of
the devouring element, we lost our only child, then in her seventh year.
Her nurse had taken her for safety to a house situated in a by-street
occupied by a friend of ours, where the fire had not yet reached; but
both the child and the nurse disappeared, and since this melancholy
catastrophe all our numerous and anxious inquiries respecting them have
proved utterly fruitless. Probably they were killed by a falling
edifice, and so buried in its ruins; at least, this is my opinion, for
my dear wife still has the hope of again beholding our long-lost but
dearly cherished child.'

Catharine, who had listened with the most heartfelt interest to this
touching recital, could not restrain her emotions any longer. She threw
herself on the stranger's neck, exclaiming,

'My father, my dear father!'

It was a most affecting moment. We will not attempt to depict the joy
and the thankfulness that filled the hearts of both parent and child.
Let our young readers try to imagine themselves in Catharine's
situation, or else in her father's; then only can they enter into the
real sentiments that overpowered them both. How pleasure and pain are
intermingled in this life!

Catharine's delight at being re-united to her dear father was
undoubtedly great, but sorrow at the prospect of leaving friends like
the Count and Countess proved a trial to the affectionate and grateful
girl.

'Then happy those, since each must draw
His share of pleasure, share of pain;
Then happy those, belov'd of Heaven,
To whom the mingled cup is given,
Whose lenient sorrows find relief,
Whose joys are chastened by their grief.'

[Illustration]

CHAPTER III.

When the first excitement of this unexpected meeting had somewhat
subsided, Catharine, in her turn, told of the wondrous and providential
dealings to which she was indebted for her preservation amid countless
perils.

The good sutler's wife was not forgotten in this extraordinary account;
and with what sensitiveness and touching expressions of gratitude she
disclosed to her attentive listener the innumerable acts of kindnes