Changes and Chances. I27

let him hear by every post, for I have almost
more than I can do with attending to Baby.
To-morrow may bring us better news; so
keep up your spirits. I must go now, and
let nurse go to bed."
 "And will you come, or send to us as soon
as ever you can in the morning, mamma?"
put in Grace.
 "Yes, my love, you shall be sure to hear if
the slightest change takes place." With this
promise Mrs. Hamilton left her children to
themselves. They crept up as close to the
fire as they could, for it was a bitterly cold
night, and, with their feet on the fender, sat
thinking till the parting warmth reminded
them to undress. How things had altered
that week. On Monday there had been the
business of Annie Hore and the cake, which
had been quite a trouble to them at the time;
now that had all passed away into insignifi-
cance before this new and bitter trial, and who
could tell what the next week might bring ?
perhaps they would be in happiness again,
or, perhaps .. but their minds shrank
from contemplating the alternative. In spite
of their ideas to the contrary, they managed
to go to sleep tolerably soon, with prayers
on their lips and in their hearts, they sank