work
out the earthly salvation of my son, to walk with him through the fiery
furnace, to guard him in the lion's den, which his own passions may
create. If to the love that hopeth all, the faith that believeth all,
you add the charity that _endureth_ all, miracles may follow an
influence so exalted, and, I say it with reverence, so divine."

It is impossible to give but a faint idea of the power of Mrs. Linwood's
language and manner. There was no vehemence, no gesticulation. Her eye
did not flash or sparkle; it burned with a steady, penetrating light.
Her voice did not rise in tone, but it gave utterance to her words in a
full, deep stream of thought, inexhaustible and clear. I have heard it
said that she talked "like a book," and so she did,--like the book of
heavenly wisdom. Her sentiments were "apples of gold in pictures of
silver," and worthy to be enshrined in a diamond casket.

As I listened, I caught a portion of her sublime spirit, and felt equal
to the duties which I had a short time before recoiled from
contemplating.

"I am very young and inexperienced," I answered, "and too apt to be
governed by the impulses of the present moment. I dare not promise what
I may be too weak to perform; but dearest madam, all that a feeble girl,
strengthened and inspired by love, and leaning humbly on an Almighty
arm, can do, I pledge myself to do. In looking forward to the future, I
have thought almost exclusively of being ever near the one beloved
object, living in the sunshine of his smile, and drinking in the music
of his voice. Life seemed an elysian dream, from which care and sorrow
must be for ever banished. You have roused me to nobler views, and given
existence a nobler aim. I blush for my selfishness. I will henceforth
think less of being happy myself, than of making others happy; less of
_happiness_ than _duty_; and every sacrifice that principle requires
shall be made light, as well as holy, by love."

"Only cherish such feelings, my child," said Mrs. Linwood, warmly
embracing me, "and you will be the daughter of my choice, as well as my
adoption. My blessing, and the blessing of approving God, will be yours.
The woman, who limits her ambition to the triumphs of beauty and the
influence of personal fascination, receives the retribution of her folly
and her sin in the coldness and alienation of her husband, and the
indifference, if not the contempt of the world. She, whose highest aim
is intellectual power, will