The Practice of the Presence of God the Best Rule of a Holy Life

have condemned the soil. They have stirred up the sterile depths and watered them with their sweat; they have summoned science and industry to their aid, drained mars

d luxurious region! Indeed, our descendants will hardly believe their own eyes when in future times they shall behold grass-covered plains, flowe

A

he north of Belgium from the vicinity of Antwerp to Venloo. The improvement of the Campine

e eye can penetrate, nothing is to be seen in that quarter but arid plains thinly covered with stunted vegetation, while the horizon is bounded by that blue and cloudy line which always marks the limit of a desert. Yet, as we journey over these vast spaces, it is impossible not to observe, from time to time, that a clear and slender rivul

and the stone bridge that leads to the principal gate, justify the belief that the estate has some right to be considered a lordly demesne. In the neighborhood it is known as GRINSELHOF. The entire front of the property is covered by the homestead of the farmer, comprising his stables and granges; so that, in fact, every thing in their rear is concealed by t

erson possessed of so beautiful an estate to bury himself in such a solitude. The farmer who worked on the property carefully avoided all explanations as to the conduct or purpose of the proprietor, and sedulously respected the mysterious habits and fancies of his master. His business prospered;

ontide, are hot enough to make the air close and stifling. At Grinselhof the last beams of the setting luminary play gayly over the foliage, gilding the tree-tops with sparkling light, whil

are songless; the wind is still; not a leaf stirs; and light alone seems to be living in that dreary solitude. No one could observe the entire

nd-purple wings dancing round her head, mocking and playing with its gay pursuer! She thinks she has caught it; but, alas! the edge of her net only touched the butterfly's wings, and away it dashes, over hedge and copse, far, far beyond her reach! How beautiful she is, as, in that golden light, warmed with exercise and excitement, her eyes glistening, her lips parted, her graceful arms stretched upward, she stands gazing, half pleased, half disappointed, after the departing insect, till it is lost in the evening sky! Wind and sunshine have slightly tanned her delicate cheeks, but their roses are only heightened into the glow of perfect health. Beneath her

s. At times she was gay, at times sad. At length she approached a bed of violets, which, from the training of the plants, had evide

eglect to water you yesterday? You are ver

till gazing at the violets, and then

isturbed, so happy, so-" Her eyes fell, and a blush cr

enchanting dream, she forgot the poor litt

God! what is this that is passing within me? My heart trembles; sometimes my blood bounds wildly through my v

she raised her head and threw back the thick curls, as

miling, to the violets; "wait a mome

basin or tank in the middle of the garden, around which a number of weeping-willows drooped their branches into the water. On her arrival its surface was perfectly smooth; but hardly had her image been reflected in the tank when it appeared to swarm with living creatures. Hundreds of go

e carefully avoided them; "I haven't time to play wi

hdrew it from the tank; and, even after her departure, conti

g but her own absorbing thoughts. At length she reached a spot where a gigantic catalpa-tree overarched the garden and bent its branches almost to the earth. A table and a couple of chairs stood beneath the fresh and fragrant shade, and a book, inkstand, and embroidery-frame, gave tok

er lips moved as if talking with a friend. Occasionally her drooping eyelids closed entirely; but the lashes quickly reopened, onl

s it became serious, the joyous look quickly returned with all its radiance. She had long been plunged by this happy dream into complete forgetfulness of r

spoke to them kindly, but in a voice so full of sadness that both looked at him with astonishment. In fact, the gravity of this singular person never abandoned him even in his most affable moods; but at that moment his physio

vested himself of his livery, took several baskets and packets from the vehicle,

rmer, "I shall have need of you. There will be company to-mor

le to believe his own ears, looked at his master with staring eyes

n, sir, who sits near you

s there any thing

o spoke to mademoiselle in the

e s

lpoel. They have at least ten horses in the stable at their chateau, without c

ecoming manner. You must be ready; your wife and your son also. I shall call you t

rom you is enough. I am always happy

e understand one another, my worthy f

he young man in relation to the things he had taken from the vehicl

r calm repose! The golden twilight covered her with its bright reflection, and threw a rosy tint on every thing about her. Thick curls strayed in beautiful disorder over her cheeks, and snowy flowers, shaken from the catalpa's branches by the evening breeze, had fallen around her in profusion. She s

his sleeping child, while his face seemed to reflect each emotion that flitted across the delicate features of the maiden. Suddenly a modest blush overspread her brow, and her lips began to arti

thy heart to hope! Dream, dream; for who knows what is in store for us? Yet, no!-let us not destroy these happy

bservation of the sleeper, and then, rising, passed beh

perceived who had awakened her, she sprang into her father's arms with a bo

f from his daughter's embrace, as

ered in Vondel's 'Lucifer.' You have not had time, I take it for granted, to begin the

strangely troubled. I do not know what is the ma

f importance to tell you. You do not know why I went to town to-day

ather with an earnest

wealthy merchant, you know, who sits near me a

peaks to me so kindly, and never fails to hel

whether he is coming alone. Another

the maiden, involun

enora; and don't become frightened because your innocent heart may find itself opening to the daw

of the enigma. But all of a sudden, as if a ray had darted unexpectedly into her

her," murmured she, "you

nate caresses of his child; but by degrees his expression became

us in life, thou wilt always lov

always,

ender affection is my only recompense and happiness h

n's heart so deeply that she took her father's hands, without sa

eling which was neither joy nor sorrow but seemed to acquire it

reflection in his own mind that another person was, perhaps, about to share his Lenora's love and probably to separate him from her forever. He was ready for every sacrifice, were it even infinitely greater, provided it con

times get into the shade after they have been too much in the sunshine? Let us go into

nd followed him slowly, while the tear

ight illuminated but a single spot and cast the distant and lofty ceiling into vague obscurity. The flickering flame threw long and sombre shadows over the wall, while a line of old portraits in the panels seemed to

in the wall, he went down on his knees and drew forth some napkins and a table-cloth, which he unfolded carefully to see whether they were torn or stained. As he refolded the articles one after the other, a smile betokened that he was pleased with his examination. Rising from this task, he went back to the table, from the drawer of which he took

conflicting thoughts and recollections. He was constantly muttering to himself; and many a tear

ng, while for months no kindly look is fixed upon thee in that wilderness where thou earnest thy miserable wages! Son of a noble race! thou hast become a slave to the stranger, and thy toil serves to amass the fortunes which others are to enjoy! My love for thee

eam seemed over, and he betook himself again to work. He placed all the silver utensils side

it will easily be seen something is wanting. I think, however, it will do. I must give very

loon on tiptoe, descended through a little door into a large vaulted cellar. Here he hunted about for a considerable time amid stacks of empty

hat shall I do if they ask for more when these three bottles are empty? I have it! I do not drink, and Lenora drinks very little; so there

e he gathered from the walls a quantity of cobwebs, which he wou

ill more singular than any he had hitherto been engaged in. Taking from the drawer a silk thread, an awl, and a bit of wax, he put his boot on his knees and began to mend the rents in the leather with the skill of a cobbler! It will readily be supposed that this odd occupation stirred a variety of emotio

seen at the wretched task of mending his boots, and who devotes his life to the concealment of his poverty,-he is your descendant, your son! If the gaze of his fellow-men tortures him, before you at least he is not ashamed of debasing toil! glorious ancestry! you have fought the foes of your native land with sword and pen; but I,-I have to contend with unmerited shame and mockery, without a hope of ultimate triumph or glory; my weary soul sinks under its burden, and the world has nothing in store for me but scorn and contempt! And, yet, have I ever stained your noble escutch

ing at the antique portraits as the last echoes died away in the lofty apartment, wi

in dreams! Yes; it is, perhaps, a dream, an illusion! Yet, thanks, thanks to the Almighty that allows even a dream to fortify me with cou

y well thy part; have ready thy mask; go on bravely with thy cowardly farce! And now begone; thy nightly task is done;-beg, beg from sleep t