of oppression almost intolerable.  Blaize declared it was “worse than being in Newgate, and that he must take an additional rufus to set right his digestion;” while Patience affirmed “that it was like being buried alive, and that she would not stand it.”  Mr. Bloundel paid no attention to their complaints, but addressed himself seriously to the remedy.  Insisting upon the utmost attention being paid to cleanliness, he had an abundant supply of water drawn, with which the floors of every room and passage were washed down daily.  By such means the house was kept cool and wholesome; and its inmates, becoming habituated to the gloom, in a great degree recovered their cheerfulness.

The daily routine of the establishment was as follows.  The grocer arose at dawn, and proceeded to call up the whole of his family.  They then assembled in a large room on the second story, where he offered up thanks that they had been spared during the night, and prayed for their preservation during the day.  He next assigned a task to each, and took care to see it afterwards duly fulfilled; well knowing that constant employment was the best way to check repining and promote contentment.  Heretofore the servants had always taken their meals in the kitchen, but now they always sat down to table with him.  “I will make no distinction at this season,” he said; “all shall fare as I fare, and enjoy the same comforts as myself.  And I trust that my dwelling may be as sure a refuge amid this pestilential storm as the ark of the patriarch proved when Heaven’s vengeance was called forth in the mighty flood.”

Their devotions ended, the whole party repaired to one of the lower rooms, where a plentiful breakfast was provided, and of which they all partook.  The business of the day then began, and, as has just been observed, no one was suffered to remain idle.  The younger children were allowed to play and exercise themselves as much as they chose in the garret, and Blaize and Patience were occasionally invited to join them.  A certain portion of the evening was also devoted to harmless recreation and amusements.  The result may be anticipated.  No one suffered in health, while all improved in spirits.  Prayers, as usual, concluded the day, and the family retired to rest at an early hour.

This system of things may appear sufficiently monotonous, but it was precisely adapted to the exigencies of the case, and produced a most salutary effect.  Regular duties and regular employments being imposed upon each, and their constant recurrence, so far from being irksome, soon became agreeable.  After a while the whole family seemed to grow indifferent to the external world—­to live only for each other, and to think only of each other—­and to Leonard Holt, indeed, that house was all the world.  Those walls contained everything dear to him, and he would have been quite content never to leave them if Amabel had been always near.  He made no attempt to renew his suit—­seldom or never exchanging