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

; the farmer cleaned his stable; his son weeded the grass from the garden-walks. Very early in the day Lenora set matters in o

the lonely dwelling. In the midst of the industrious crowd Monsieur De Vlierbeck might be seen moving about with words of encouragement and expressions of satisfaction; nor did he manifest the slightest symptom

s much delighted by his joy as if they had been preparing for a village fair in which they were to take part. They never dreamed of

ot familiar. The old cooking-apparatus was lighted; wood kindled and crackled in the chimney; coals glistened in the grate; and high above the roof-tree, clouds of smoke betokened the good cheer that was to adorn the tables. Baskets of game

ustics, who had rarely enjoyed an opportunity of seeing her so closely or of enjoying a familiar conversation with the beauty, were of course delighted

rose, and whispered, loud e

ther day; and it was so beautiful that, fool as I am, I blubbered like a baby for half an hour beh

nightingale's; and I remember too, that my poor mother-alas! she is long ago in heave

ng,"' said Le

or two; it is a holiday wit

gly, "if it will make you happ

deep and r

ly mai

her snowy b

bedewed

alked alon

her bitt

ears overflow

d for th

, speak!' the

you here

an orphan-

alone c

hou not yon

eps my mo

rock, above

ll my fa

ng torrent

gled lon

leaped to h

h toget

fly our s

solation

pon this d

the wave a

rieve,' the

shall ach

and a b

r lonely gir

r hand; he

rich he cl

altar pro

er life in ha

A

Campine as The Orphan, is sung by all class

sitting in the presence of their young mistress, listening to her songs; but the poor gentleman at once understood the meaning of her action, and with a gesture of approval signaled them

ption of the dishes. Bessy's son was already there in livery, with a napkin over his arm; and De Vlierbeck immediately began to assign them their

e at their posts. Lenora, in full dress and with a palpitating heart, lingered in her chamber; wh

hof and drew up in front of the portal. De Vlierbeck welcomed his guests courteously, and Monsieur Denecker gave orders to

ted a compound of cunning and good-nature tempered by indifference. But Gustave, his nephew, belonged to an entirely different class of persons. His tall figure was graceful and easy, his countenance frank and manly, and

to Lenora, in the saloon, than Denecker broke

o hidden in this Grinselhof of yours, Monsieur

lp observing the young people's emotion; and, as De Vlierbeck passed down the saloon with him, remarked that the young beauty was evidently turning his nephew's head. "He talks of her constantly," said he, "and I don't know what may come of it; but I give you fair warning, Monsie

ed by the merchant's counsels, bu

ardly be any thing serious in their intercourse. But, come," added he, aloud; "I perceive that dinner is served; and so let us adjourn to the table!" Gustave led in the blushing girl, and the elders foll

uent occasion to express his satisfaction with their exquisite flavor. In truth, he was rather surprised at the sumptuousness of the rep

ding her ease and freedom while conversing with the uncle, an observer could not help detecting that she was shy, if not absolutely embarrassed, when obliged to reply to some casual remark of the nephew. Nor was Gustave more a

equal good manners, to Denecker's conversation, and now and then adroitly threw in such hints as allowed him to speak learnedly upon commercial matter

notice the deficiency of their number. One thing alone began to worry him. He saw with pain that while Denecker was busy with his food and chat he was equally busy with the wine, and that glass after glass disappeared with more rapidity than was agreeable to his s

las! he was disappointed; for at that moment Denecker introduced the topic of wine, and, lauding the generous juice of the grape, expressed surprise at the extraordinary sobriety of his host. With this he redoubled his attack on the bottle, and

avor. I take it for granted that you have a first-rate cellar, if I may judge by your first samples; so I propose that we now try a bottle of you

frightened spirit went rummaging through the cracks and crannies of his brain for

sh it." And then, turning to the lackey,-"John," said he, "bring a bottle of

as if he had been addressed in one of the dead langua

ising; "he would not find it, I f

nd last bottle and descended to the cellar, whe

this last bottle of claret! What shall I do? what can I do?" continued he, as he held the cobwebbed bottle in one hand and str

e corkscrew in the last cork, and found that during hi

y years old, Monsieur Denecker, and I sincerely hope it will please your palate." So saying,

by drop, like an epicure, and,

s," said he; "for it's the i

ise admirably, tasted the

s the bottle is opened and not bad, suppose we drink it before I

he quicker." And so the column in the third and last bottle diminished more rapidly than its

ad. Yet he felt that he had not entirely exhausted his resources, and resolved to fight the battle of humiliation to the end. He wiped his brow and cheeks, coughed, and turned aside as if about to sneeze. By dint of these manoeuvres he continued to conceal his nervousness till Denecker grasped the bottle to pour out its last drop. A

re on their feet, while Lenora

to rally himself. "I am faint; the confined air of this room overc

ker with an expression of the deepest concern. A short rest in the open air beneath the shade of a noble chestnut-tree qui

, "for fear the fit might return; and perhaps a

five o'clock, I don't want to leave Grinselhof without seeing its garden. Let us take a t

full of mirth and sportiveness. In truth, Denecker was altogether captivated by the ingenuous girl, and, as he looked on her radiant face, could not help thinking that the future had some happy days in store for his gallant nephew. After a while Lenora strayed off in advance with Gustave, while the two elders lingered lazily along the path. Gustave was charmed with the flowers, the plants, the gold-fish, which Lenora pointed out to him; nor was he at all desirous to shorten their delicious flirtation by returning to t

to drink a parting glass with us let us get

ling from head to foot, stared silently at Denecker, who

ill, sir?

you even mention wine! It is a strange malady; but-Oh, I hear your coac

been deeply mortified, if not offended, had not the previous hospitality of his host satisfied him of their welcome. He thought, perhaps, that he ought to attribute h

in your and your daughter's charming society. It is a pleasure added to my life to have made your acquaintance; and I hope that furt

entence, Lenora and

daughter will return our visit and dine with us. Yet I shall have to ask your pardon for postponing the pleasure it will afford us till I return from Frankfort, where I am summoned, the day

light at the new acquaintance; Lenora was sil

" exclaimed Gustave. "Let us g

eve we would never get hence at all if we listened to you

In a moment the uncle and nephew were in the vehicle and the spirited horses in motion; but, as long as the group w