o this, they had dined at our house. He had
always been much addicted to the pleasures of the table. He expressed
high approbation of a particular dish, and mentioned again when he got
home how much he liked it. The next morning Mrs. Carlton wrote to
Lucilla to beg the receipt for making this ragout; and this day, when he
returned from his solitary ramble and 'compunctuous visitings,' the
favorite dish, most exquisitely dressed, was produced at his dinner. He
thanked her for this obliging attention, and turning to the butler,
directed him to tell the cook that no dish was ever so well dressed.
Mrs. Carlton blushed when the honest butler said, 'Sir, it was my
mistress dressed it with her own hands, because she knew your honor was
fond of it.'

"Tears of gratitude rushed into Carlton's eyes, and tears of joy
overflowed those of the old domestic, when his master, rising from the
table, tenderly embraced his wife, and declared he was unworthy of such
a treasure. 'I have been guilty of a public wrong, Johnson,' said he to
his servant, 'and my reparation shall be as public. I can never deserve
her, but my life shall be spent in endeavoring to do so.'

"The little girl was brought in, and her presence seemed to cement this
new formed union. An augmented cheerfulness on the part of Mrs. Carlton
invited an increased tenderness on that of her husband. He began every
day to discover new excellences in his wife, which he readily
acknowledged to herself, and to the world. The conviction of her worth
had been gradually producing esteem, esteem now ripened into affection,
and his affection for his wife was mingled with a blind sort of
admiration of that piety which had produced such effects. He now began
to think home the pleasantest place, and his wife the pleasantest
companion.

"A gentle censure from him on the excessive frugality of her dress,
mixed with admiration of the purity of its motive, was an intimation to
her to be more elegant. He happened to admire a gown worn by a lady whom
they had visited. She not only sent for the same materials, but had it
made by the same pattern. A little attention of which he felt the
delicacy.

"He not only saw, but in no long time acknowledged, that a religion
which produced such admirable effects, could not be so mischievous a
principle as he had supposed, nor could it be an inert principle. Her
prudence has accomplished what her piety began. She always watched the
turn of his eye, to se