Do not fear me, Mr.Maitland; it is not in my own strength I trust, for that I feel too painfully at this moment is less than nothing.

My dearest uncle, will you not trust your Ellen ?" She turned towards him as she spoke, and Mr.Hamilton felt the tears glisten in his eyes as he met the upturned glance of the afflicted orphan--now indeed, as it seemed, so utterly alone.
"Yes I do and ever will trust you, my beloved Ellen," he said, with emotion.

"May God grant you His blessing in this most painful duty.

To Him I commend you, my child; I would speak of comfort and hope, but He alone can give them." "And He _will_," replied Ellen, in a low, steady voice; and gently withdrawing her hand from Mr.Howard's, she softly but quickly left the library.

But half an hour elapsed, and Ellen was once more seated by her aunt's couch.