ALL IS NOT GOLD THAT GLITTERS. 123

directly or indirectly, from her rich and titled
cousin. In the mean time, Edward and Rose
prospered exceedingly ; three’ handsome, hap
py children blessed their home. Their industry
perfected whatever Providence bestowed; no-
thing was wasted, nothing neglected ; the best
farmers in the neighbourhood asked advice of
Edward Lynne; .and the “ born ladies,” as
poor Mrs. Myles would have called them, would
have forgotten that Rose was only a farmer’s
wife, if wise Rose had been herself disposed to
forget it. But great as their worldly prosperity
had been, it was nothing to the growth and con-
tinuance of that holy affection which cheered
and hallowed their happy dwelling—the chief
characteristic of which was a freedom from pre-
tension of all kinds. Rose suffered appearan-
ces to grow with their means, but never to pre-
cede them; and though this is not the world’s
practice, the duty is not on that account the less
imperative. They were seated one evening
round their table, Edward reading, while his
wife worked, when the master of the post-office
brought them a letter.

** It has lain two days, Measter Lynne,” said
the man, “ for you never send but once a-week ;
only, as I thought by the seal it must be some.
thing grand, whoy brought it down myself.”

It was from Helen!—from the ambitious
cousin—a few sad, mournful lines, every one
of which seemed dictated by a breaking heart.