Dwell Deep

changes sh

t we rust in e

girl, who, gazing dreamily before her, sat leaning her head against an old gnarled trunk in quiet content. A small-shaped head, with dark curly hair, and a pair of blue-grey eyes

sty hills and moorland. My soul seemed rested by the sweet stillness around, but from the beauties of nature my ey

l. There I stayed till I was nineteen, when I went to an old cousin in London, and for three years I lived a quiet

oad with his wife and family, returned to England, and wished me to make

ight for you to mix with young people and see the world. I

ondon for my guardian's lovely place in Hertfordshire, fe

fe than this. I had been brought up religiously, had said my prayers night and morning, a

with all the ignorance and inexperience of girlhood had planned out glowing descriptions of the brilliant offers of marriage I would have, and the delightful times befor

ays I was in great distress of mind, and turned with real earnestness to my Bible for guidance and comfort. The light came at last, and I saw how completely Christ

hat no life could be monotonous with all the boundless opportunities of speaking and working for Him. My cr

y experience she looked pu

tremes; but you look happy, child, and I sh

th iron-grey hair. He had just retired from an Indian cavalry regiment,

an object of curiosity and criticism on the part of her three daughters, who were all lively, talkative girls. Two grown-up sons completed the home circle, both of whom seemed to be

hould I, a mere beginner in the Christian life, be able to take a stand amongst this happy, careless family circle, who already were including me in dances and theatricals that were shortly coming off in the neighbourhood? And then the next after

eremiah? I think not. I had heard a sermon upon them, and now I seize

day and hour by hour! Silently could I feast and refresh my soul, even amidst the gay laughter and talk around me, for had I

, fresh country air, and feeling so th

ions, and in another moment Kenneth Forsyth sprang over a stile near, an

hat a shame of the girls! Let me introduce my friend, Captain Gates. You certainly have selected a co

himself down on the grass beside me, whilst C

ous, quizzical intonation in his voice when he spoke to me, and Violet, his youngest sister, a bright, merry schoolgirl of fourteen, had confided in me the pr

had been to hide it, but I conquered that as being

and smoke and roar of London, to come to a place like this. Your sisters wanted me

e?' inquired Captain Gates.

metimes,' I r

too much solitude is bad for the young, so we are breaking in upo

lready noted my Bible, and was

id Captain Gates good-naturedly; and as I looked up a

rbid,' I said; '

at life with inexperienced eyes at present, and everything

e was over. I liked Kenneth better than his brother Hugh, who seemed to me to be too sarcastic and supercilious for any one to be comfortable

tay for a few days' shooting, and they certainly proved lively additions to our gathering. In the midst of a buzz of conversation and

name of the book you were studying so d

itated, and every one seemed to be waiting for m

s my B

astonishment depicted on th

overflowing with fun

s?' she said; but her mother hushed her rath

usic was going on, Captain Gates came over to me as I sat looking ou

ficulty in showing you

ht to have no difficulty,' I said;

the half-open window seemed t

sk with whom you have been

d then he said

o out of place sometimes; but I wonder now if you read

xclaimed; then a litt

elt so differently about it. I used to think it dull and tedious, but it has changed now, or rather, I have chan

'We are always on the go here; you have come into a different li

don't mean to lead a gay life, Captain Gates

rhaps you have

er mea

evening I said very little to any one; but a short time after

very curious about you. Do you know that

spoken girl. Constance, the eldest of them, though full of life and spirits, was rather cold and distant

ing-chair, and scanned me rather m

confidence-and he said he would back you against us for your determination of purpose. Now will you take my advice, Hilda? Don't look so hot and uncomfortable. You haven't come into a houseful of saints, you know, so you can't expect us to fall in with your views at once. Mother, of course, won't like it if you go against her plans for you; she will be very vexed, but she will eventually give in; but it's a different matter wit

'I have no intention of setting up my will in opposition to your

sh your originality out of you in a few weeks' time, remains to be proved. I thou

darkness, again the words came to me: 'Dwell deep.' What did it matter if I found I should have a cross to take up, if I had to bear a little teasing from others who did not think as I did? When I realized in the depths of my heart the riches I had, and the