her dejection had entirely vanished; but still she was very different to what she had formerly been.  To the great astonishment, and even displeasure of her relatives, she gently but firmly declined all invitations to balls, or gay parties, refused to attend the theatre, and, to her friends’ earnest expostulations and inquiries as to the reasons for such a course, declared ’that she had, at length, become convinced of the vanity and sinfulness of such pursuits, and no longer dared to peril her immortal interests by engaging in them.’”

“But, Edward Lincoln, how does he approve of this strange alteration?” inquired Arthur, in a tone which, in spite of himself, could not conceal his evident interest.

“Oh, poor Edward has been discarded long ago.”

“Discarded!  What do you mean, Ella, that she has broken her engagement with him?”

“Yes; or, rather, they mutually agreed in the matter, and thereby caused fresh disappointment to Agnes’s friends, whose opposition has risen to such a height, that I believe they have almost threatened to expel her from home.”

“Barbarous!” exclaimed Arthur, hastily, his eye flashing with indignation.  “But I suspect they would hardly carry that threat into effect.  And what reason was assigned for the breaking of the engagement?”

“Oh, nothing more than non-agreement of sentiment.  When I was reasoning with Agnes about it, one day, she said to me, ’How can two walk together except they be agreed?  I grant, dear Ella, that Mr. Lincoln is all you have said, handsome, intelligent, and possesses many estimable qualities; but these qualities, to be permanent, must be based on principles drawn from the Word of Truth.  Do not think, my friend, that it was without a struggle I have resigned him.  No, the conflict was long and bitter; but I was enabled, at last, to yield to my convictions of duty.  And, indeed, he himself has confessed, that whatever I might have done once, I should never have suited him now.  Our views are diametrically opposed; the gayeties of life, which I have gladly resigned, he still takes delight in, and when I have endeavored feebly, but earnestly, to lead him to seek for more enduring joys, his only reply is a merry laugh at my enthusiasm, which, he predicts, will soon evaporate.  No, Ella, there is little in unison between us, and it is far better to break our engagement now, than to find, when too late, that we had entered into a union productive of misery to us both.’”

“Agnes is certainly a singular girl,” said Arthur, musingly.

“Oh, but I have not told you all.  She has been a Sabbath-school teacher, has established a day school for poor children, which she superintends, and there is no fear of her tempting a gentleman to take a glass of wine, for last, but not least, she has become a teetotaller.  There, what think you of that? and yet, I do not know how it happens, but in spite of her singular ways, I seem to like her