tion which she delighted to perform, and encouraged her in believing that she was laying up a stock of merit that should avail for many transgressions. Stimulated by his praises, the young devotee thought no penance too humiliating, and no task too arduous and selfdenying, by which she might commend herself to the blessed Virgin, vainly supposing that she was raising herself to a state of sanctity superior to that of the generality of mortals. It were too much to suppose that no gratulation mingled with her self-sacrificing tasks. Alas! Rosa had experienced no change of heart, and the corrupt tree brought forth its evil fruits. She was deluded by a false and soul-destroying system, and the peace of a good conscience was superseded by the vanity of an unrenewed spirit, and the applause of her fellow-creatures. Ernestine was as sincere in her devotion, but did not appear likely to establish such a character for sanctity, in the estimation of her spiritual guide. She sometimes ventured on forbidden ground, and more than once had been detected in earnest converse with some who were known to be heretics. Still, she was the darling of her parents, and her gentle, winning manners did more in inspiring affection, than all the stern devotion and self-denial of the more admired and applauded Rosa.

CHAPTER II.

"The mature Christian feels that his heart is but mocked by attempts to excite its devotion by earthly objects. He can look at beauty and magnificence, in their symbols, and be thankful; but he realizes far more than these, because his spirit is truly worshipping in that heaven where no temple is seen, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the sanctuary there."

BRITISH QUARTERLY REVIEW.

EDWARD rose before the dawn, for the excitement of his mind had prevented him from obtaining more than a few moments of troubled slumber, and he was glad to quit his apartment, and inhale the cool air of morning. The house was perfectly quiet; but glancing at the window. of Father Antoine, he perceived that his lamp was burning, and conjectured, rightly, that he was already at his devotions. The stars were

still brilliant in the clear sky, and the crescent moon threw her radiance over woods and waters. Edward passed through the broad avenue of cedars in front of the Hall, and descending the hill by a steep and shady pathway, found himself at the entrance of the

shrubbery, as it was still called, though it had long ago ceased to merit that appellation. The lofty trees, which thickly clustered within its boundaries, wove a dense canopy, through which the rays of the sun could rarely penetrate. Magnificent ceibas, stately groups of the cocoa-nut tree, clustering bamboos, with their feathery foliage, groves of orange and pimento, and a thousand others, waved in richest luxuriance, and formed cool and fragrant alcoves, delicious retreats from the noonday sultriness. The wild pine festooned with its ruby blossoms the giant trunks of some of these lords of the forest, and innumerable other parasites wreathed their gorgeous bells with the deep glossy foliage, and pearly flowers of a sunny clime. It was so long since he had left his home, that everything had the charm of almost entire novelty; and he was then also too young to appreciate the beauties of external nature. Before he was aware, he had reached the little chapel, consecrated to the Virgin, half hidden beneath a splendid group of palmettos. Its Gothic style of architecture harmonized admirably with its site in the deep recesses of the wood, and as the moonbeams threw shadowy light upon its pinnacles, Edward thought he had never seen temple more lovely. Pausing by the low-arched door, he was sur

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prised to find it partially open. He entered softly, and looked around. Two wax-tapers were burning on the high altar, before the exquisite painting of the Saviour upon the cross, and two others shed a melancholy gleam on the form of the Virgin Mary. The walls were adorned with the choicest paintings, interspersed with the most exquisite statuary; and the elaborately-carved pulpit and font; the delicate tracery of shaft, and arch, and column; the mullioned windows, with their stainedglass representations of Apostles and Confessors; and the richly-gilded ceiling, though dimly seen in the struggling light, yet impressed his mind with a strong feeling of mingled awe and admiration. He half-reproached himself for yielding to its influence, and felt how easy it was for the mind to be so affected by external splendour as to mistake its emotions for true worship. At that moment he was startled by perceiving a female figure prostrate before the image of the Virgin. His soft footfall on the marble pavement had awakened no sound, and he felt that he was as yet unobserved; but it required all his selfpossession to retreat as silently. Though anxious to escape from his unsought post of observation, he could not help again glancing at the slight figure, and to his astonishment

he discovered it to be Rosa. She was in the attitude of intense and earnest devotion. Her whole soul seemed absorbed in one act of consecration, but no word broke on the deep stillness. Edward looked at her with emotions

of painful interest. "How unsatisfactory," thought he, "must be these exercises to a mind searching after truth! What inward

peace can result from these prayers to the Virgin? If the Almighty may be approached through one Mediator alone, alas for those who are deluded by a false faith, and taught to seek other intercession !" Agonizing thoughts passed through his mind, as he softly glided through the dim aisle, and again found himself on the shady pathway. But he was not permitted for many moments to indulge his reflections, as Rosa, with an exclamation of surprise, suddenly greeted him.

"Here so early, Edward! I fear I have prevented you in your morning devotions to the Virgin." And she crossed herself reverently.

"No, dear Rosa," he returned; "I can lift up my heart to God in any situation; and surely this beautiful grove is fitting temple for his worship."

"Yes, certainly; but before the image of the Holy Virgin we can more easily collect