sense of freedom; but she saw that the whole extent of the foam-tipped waves was in part hidden from her gaze by a rocky height, which rose abruptly into the air on her left hand. Highrock House had, in fact, been built on the lower portion of the huge mass from which it took its name, but the upper part of the gigantic rock towered far above it, and the barren summit, where there was not a trace of vegetation, completely overhung the sea. The side which faced the water shelved inwards, so as to form a tremendous precipice, where even a goat could have found no footing, and the base of which went deep into the waters that for ever leaped and roared around it. Estelle looked up to the highest point of this mighty crag with longing eyes; she felt certain that it must command a magnificent view, and she resolved that, so soon as she had taken her breakfast, and seen her uncle comfortably established for the day, she would make her way up this grand rock, and look out unimpeded over the whole wide ocean. Meanwhile she took a hasty survey of the house and the grounds. The shrubberies were skilfully arranged to hide the jutting-out masses of rock on the left side, while to the right they sloped down to the road, shaded by tall trees, that relieved the eye from the glare of the sunlit waters in front. At the back was a large garden and orchard. Within, the accommodation was ample. A pretty bow-windowed drawing-room, looking out to the hills, on the one side; on the other, a large pleasant dining-room. To the front were two good rooms, one of which had been arranged as a retreat for Dr. Lingard, with the books he was never more to touch ranged round the walls; the other Estelle meant to keep as a studio for herself, where she might paint, undisturbed by visitors. The bed-rooms, large-sized and airy, were above, and the servants' offices formed an addition to the building at the back.

Estelle felt, when she had completed her survey, that they had been specially fortunate in procuring such a pleasant residence, in a situation at once so healthy and so picturesque; and she soon had the comfort of ascertaining that it was likely to suit her uncle particularly well. There was a wide verandah running along the part of the house which faced the sea, and here, after he had taken his breakfast, she placed the old man in his easy chair; and, although he simply let himself be moved about, as usual, without the least sign of intelligence, she was delighted to see a faint smile of unconscious pleasure pass over his face as he felt the first breath of the fresh sea-breeze. Even Moss, who was generally surly enough with Estelle, because she was the only person of whom he could be jealous in his absorbing affection for his master, condescended to express his satisfaction with their new home, as he took his place by Dr. Lingard's side, and nodded complacently when she told him she should leave them for a little time, whilst she went to take a walk.

sea.

active, so that it was not very long before she found herself on a flat piece of rock which crowned the towering crag, at a great altitude above the It was a position which in a strong wind would not have been without danger, as a line dropped from the outermost edge of the cliff, would have reached the water many feet beyond its base; but the breeze was not at all powerful, and Estelle stationed herself securely where she could lean against part of the rock that rose a little higher than the rest on one side. There was nothing, therefore, to interrupt her entire enjoyment of the splendid view that was spread out before her, where far and wide on every side, without break or limit, her eyes went roving over the mighty sea-shining like molten silver on and on, till it seemed as if the little white-winged ships that dimly could be seen on the horizon line were sailing away into some unseen world beyond the confines of this lower earth altogether. It was a scene which might well have absorbed Estelle's whole mind for the moment, and even, at the time, it seemed to her very etrange, that a thought altogether foreign to the beauty around her should have passed like a dark shadow through her soul; but there came a day when she understood why it was that, on the occasion of her first visit to this dangerous spot, it occurred to her that any one who might be weak or wicked enough to perpetrate self-destruction could find no place from whence it would be easier to fling his life away than that on which she stood. The weird thought made her shudder, and, driving it impatiently away, she had turned her eyes from the precipice to watch the flight of one of the far-away ships, when suddenly she was startled by feeling two soft arms flung round her, so as to hold her captive in a close embrace, while a musical voice, clearly heard through the roar of the billows, rang out with the words"Raymond's friend! I know it is Raymond's friend! Found at last!"

With an exclamation of surprise, Estelle turned her head, and her gaze fell upon the loveliest, sweetest face she had even so much as imagined in the fairest of her artist dreams-a childlike face, brightened by the most charming expression of guilelessness and purity, with great blue eyes, limpid and clear, whose hue was like nothing but that of the morning sky, and a complexion of dazzling fairness, just tinged on the pretty round cheeks with a wildrose tint. This beautiful apparition had rich auburn hair, from which the hat had been blown away, so that it seemed like an aureole round her head, as the sunlight glittered through its waving masses; her

fairy figure, though slight, was exquisitely proportioned, and clad in a dainty summer dress, with fluttering ribbons and flowers at her belt; and as she unclasped her delicate little hands from Estelle's neck, and stood looking at her with the sunniest of smiles on her rosebud lips, she really looked like a being from some other sphere, who had floated down through the air to alight on this spot. But Estelle Lingard knew well who she was; and as she looked at that lovely face, and read in it unmistakably how sweet and pure was the young soul that gazed at her out of those shining eyes, she felt that Raymond was amply justified in his absorbing love and devotion to Kathleen Carlton, and her generous nature rejoiced to know how worthily occupied was that place in his heart from which she was herself shut out. She met the bright winning look cast at her with an answering smile, and as Kathleen, half shyly, repeated the first words, she clasped her hands, warmly exclaiming, "Yes, indeed! his friend, and, therefore, yours. it not so?"

Is

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a fairy beside me. Did you drop from the clouds ? "

"Sure, I am an Irish fairy, you know," said Kathleen, wilfully assuming a brogue, which sounded charming from her lips, "so I must have come over the sea! but Raymond will be here in a moment-the darlint. I must tell you how it really happened. He meant to come to see you in a proper and orderly manner later in the day, but I would give him no peace till he started, and brought me with him, I wanted to see you so much; and when we came up to the front of your house, there was your uncle, poor dear, sitting half asleep, and such a cross ugly old servant beside him, who stood up, as surly as ever he could be, and said he did not know where Miss Lingard was, she never told him where she went; and Raymond was going to have walked away home again, but some instinct drew my eyes to the top of this rock, and there I saw a tall slender figure, and I knew it was you. So I never said a word, but away I went, and ran and flew up the steep high rock, and never looked back till I held you safe in my arms. My hat blew off, but I would not stop to catch it; I expect Raymond found it; he will bring it when he comes."

"Is he coming then?" said Estelle, her heart standing still at the thought of seeing him again. "Oh yes, he is sure to follow me!"

Sure to follow Kathleen-yes, that would be true of him now and for ever. And at the same moment there was the sound of a step on the rock. (To be continued.)

SCRIPTURE STORIES.

Chapter to be read-Exodus xiv. ANTRODUCTION. The children of Israel now safely on their way. Have travelled from Rameses to Succoth; thence to Etham, where encamp for short time. Here the pillar of cloud by day, and fire by night, appear for first time. Now the time come for entering the wilderness. So far all well. Food, light, guidance, &c., all provided. Go on rejoicing; danger all over. What harm can happen to them? of faith soon to come.

A trial

I. THE PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY. (Read xiv. 112.) This part of the lesson must be illustrated by a good map. Failing this in a handy shape, the teacher might copy on a sheet of paper from a large map, and show the children the position of the Israelites. Shut in by mountains on either side, the Red Sea before them, now who do they hear is coming behind them? Why do the Egyptians pursue? Just now were giving them presents to get rid of them. What has caused the change? Perhaps revenge

for having brought such terrible plagues upon them; perhaps chagrin at having lost their slaves who worked so hard for them (ver. 5). But why did God allow them to follow the Israelites ? Sometimes greatest punishment to people is to let them do as they like. So it would be here.

The teacher may draw two pictures, by way of contrast. (1) The Egyptians getting ready to follow. The news going forth of the king's command. The army equipped with arms; foot-soldiers and horsesoldiers all in excitement; six hundred chariots made ready. The king himself will lead. Then the excitement in Egypt. The general turn-out to see the army start. The general state of exultant expectancy of what this fine army will do. How soon they will conquer, and bring back the unarmed rabble of slaves.

soon spreads. No doubt as to who they are. Can even see the much-dreaded Pharaoh (ver. 10). What a thrill of despair at first must go through the camp! What can they do? Nothing. Whither can they go? Nowhere. But need they despair? What has God done for them already? Surely He will help them now. But, alas! they forget all this, and complain, first to God, then to Moses. What do they say? (ver. 11-12). How hard for Moses to bear these taunts.

II. THE DELIVERANCE (Read 13-22). - What does Moses answer to the people's taunts? (v. 13). What strong faith he had in God's word! God should fight for them; they should have no part in it; they should be still, and see God's salvation. What were the three reasons for God's interference? Help to His people; destruction to His enemies; glory to Himself.

Three scenes must now be pictured out as vividly as possible. (1) The Moving of the Cloud. Picture the Israelites standing in groups, in eager expectation; suddenly the cloud begins to move; they eagerly watch; which way will it go? slowly it passes over the camp; moves behind them, and in front of Egyptians. What does it mean? Soon see that Egyptians are in darkness, while they have strong light. Accept this as a happy sign, and faith confirmed for what is to follow.

(2) The Passage of the Sea. Now picture Moses advancing, rod in hand, to the edge of the sea. Solemnly stretches rod over sea. Israelites all eagerly watch. What is the sea doing? Suddenly the waters divided. Strong east wind blows in narrow gusts, so as to hold up water to north and south -thus making passage. Now comes the command to go forward. No more doubt, or fear, or hesitation; mothers catch up infants, fathers lead children,

young men bring up tents, drive cattle, and whole cavalcade passes regularly, slowly, taking whole night, till opposite shore reached.

(3) The Drowning of the Egyptians. Just as Israelites safe over, Egyptians come up-no hesitationfollow on through the sea. But another miracle worked; chariot wheels taken off. They see in this a fatal sign; attempt to flee; believe now that "the Lord" is fighting (ver. 25). Can they escape God's vengeance? Once more the rod is lifted; the sea returns; the horse and his rider alike drowned. Not one returns to Egypt to tell the tale. God's work done for the present; His enemies destroyed; His people saved. Is His name exalted? Yes. See the effect (ver. 31)—the people fear and believe the Lord and His servant Moses.

III. THE LESSONS. These are so obvious and so similar to what have had already, that they need not be enlarged upon; but the type may well be pointed out (see 1 Cor. x. 1-4). The passage of the sea a type of Christian baptism, the Red Sea being the water; the destruction of Pharaoh and his host typifies the renunciation of man's three great enemies, viz., the devil, the world, and the flesh: while the wilderness-the road to Canaan, typifies the road to heaven. Let each baptised Christian ask, Am I daily renouncing my enemies, daily exercising fresh faith in God, daily stepping heavenward? Then only will God's glory be revealed in us and to us.

Questions to be answered.

1. Why did the Egyptians pursue? 2. How did the Israelites act?

3. What was the first sign of the deliverance? 4. Describe the miracle.

5. Name three reasons for the overthrow of Pharaoh. 6. Of what is the miracle a type; and how?

IRST again? Well, I did think I'd got the start of you this morning, for our people have gone off picnicing, and as breakfast was much earlier than usual I thought I'd try a tramp for once; but you don't catch me at it again. I can't see any fun in walking three miles to work hard all day. How you can do it I can't make out."

"I don't mind it in the least; in fact, the walk seems to make the many hours sitting less fatiguing. I could never get along, as you do, without exercise of any kind."

"Well, I feel regularly tired out not fit to do anything."

"That is because you are not used to walking; if you did it for a week you'd feel the better for it."

"You won't catch me trying it. The fact is, you're too stingy to ride; you're always thinking how you can save your coppers."

"And you how you can spend them."

"I never think anything at all about it; what I want I get; and if I can't pay down it's all right at the end of the quarter."

"Well, Grey, as we shall never think alike on this point it's no use wasting more time in talking.” The two youths here introduced to the reader's notice were junior clerks in the same office, and were nearly of the same age, but totally different in character: the one had been brought up by thrifty and economical parents; the other, by parents equally kind, but having a great idea of outward show, and an incessant seeking after various excite