hand.
"I am pleased to see you."

The tone was gentle and kind and there was not a trace of displeasure in
look or manner.

"Thank you, cousin," Isa said, trying to recover her composure. "I came
to--mamma has a headache, and sent me----"

"Yes; never mind, I know all you would say," Elsie answered, tears
trembling in her soft brown eyes, but a look of perfect peace and
resignation on her sweet face; "you feel for my sorrow, and I thank you
for your sympathy. But Isa, the consolations of God are not small with me,
and I know that my little one is safe with him.

"Molly, my child, how are you to-day?"

"Very well, thank you," Molly answered, clinging to the hand that was
offered her, and looking up with dewy eyes into the calm, beautiful face
bending over her. "How kind you are to think of me at such a time as this.
Ah cousin, it puzzles me to understand why afflictions should be sent to
one who already seems almost an angel in goodness."

Elsie shook her head. "You cannot see my heart, Molly; and the Master
knows just how many strokes of his chisel are needed to fashion the soul
in his image; he will not make one too many. Besides should I grudge him
one of the many darlings he has given me? or her the bliss he has taken
her to? Ah no, no! his will be done with me and mine."

She sat down upon a sofa, and making room for Isa, who had been exchanging
greetings with her younger cousins, invited her to a seat by her side.

"I want to talk with you," she said gently, "Vi has been telling me
everything. Ah, do not think I have any reproaches for you, though nothing
could have grieved me more than your success in what you attempted."

She then went on to give, in her own gentle, kindly way, good and
sufficient reasons for her dread and hatred of--not Papists--but Popery,
and concluded by inviting Isa to join with them in a thorough
investigation of its arrogant claims.

Isa consented, won by her cousin's generous forbearance and affectionate
interest in her welfare, and arrangements were made to begin the very
next day.

Molly's writing desk stood open on the table by her side, and Violet's
bright eyes catching sight of the address on a letter lying there, "Oh,
cousin, have you heard?" she exclaimed, "and is it good news?"

"Yes," replied Molly, a flush of pride and pleasure mantling her cheek. "I
should have told you at once, if--under ordinary circumstances;--but--"
and her eyes filled as she turned them upon