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It was here that the matron of this charnel house, Mrs. Siddleton, betook herself with her unusual supply of good things for an evening repast.

"Come," said she, "good people, I have brought you a little nice and warm tea and toast; will you like a cup of good tea?"

There was so much of the kindly tone of child or mother in the words she uttered, that every soul of them for the moment forgot what the kindness was that they announced; and they started from their various dull and sinking attitudes into almost the forms of earnest, living men and women. Only Roxy whispered to Mag as the latter leaped into the middle of the floor, seizing wildly her arm, and staring up into her eyes -- "I'm afraid of her; she's crazy, or has poisoned it!"

"Pshaw! you simpleton," said Mag, "it's only natur." And now they gathered in and about her, the old, the lame, the maimed and the blind; the bed-ridden and feeble ones reached out their wasted arms, and stretched wide open their great, feverish eyes from out their hollow caves, searching for their portion, and rewarding the giver with their tears. And when the savory toast went round, and their mistress bade them eat of it to their content, they invoked on her the blessing of the poor, and of those that were ready to perish.

"We've nothing to pay you for this," said one.

"All can feel grateful," said another.

"It's a good soul that's done it," said Bill.

"Mercy on us! said madam Wakeup. "This is like old times with Eunice and I."

"The Lord gives us friends," said widow Prescott.

"Bless the Lord!" exclaimed Hicks, on his bed.

"It's mighty good, ain't it?" said Roxy, recovered from her alarm.

"I hope Mrs. Siddleton will forgive Mag for her sulkiness!" said the humbled old crone, receiving a supper of hot tea and toast with the rest.

"Never mind, Mag," said Mrs. Siddleton.

After these things the paupers fared better during the balance of Siddleton's year. Mrs. Siddleton got hold of the other end of the Bible and became a very good teacher and comforter. The poor souls needed it, alas!

Did Mr. Siddleton commit suicide in his room that evening? No, he did not.

Did Mr. Siddleton go into apoplexy? No. Did he get crazy? No, he did not fall crazy. What in the world did happen to him? He burnt up the candle, found himself exceedingly languid and almost faint over his cogitations; so he quickly undressed, rolled himself up in the bed-clothes, and slept till morning.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE European Tour. -- Blind Henrietta, a Teacher of Good Things.

ALICE BOYCE was now eighteen years of age, and there existed between her and James Sherman, who was nearly through with his studies, an engagement of marriage! It was during this year that, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Rodman, Alice made a trip to England. They were absent nearly six months, and were received and entertained among the relatives of her father and mother with the greatest respect, some of whom were distinguished in position of refinement, intelligence and wealth. Her appearance was so pleasing to an elderly sister of her mother, Mrs. Gladstone, a widow, that she formed the plan immediately of making her heir to her property at her decease, and promised her a marriage portion of a thousand pounds. In every delicate way possible they endeavored to persuade her to remain with them, holding out inducements that even she felt it hard to withstand, and that would have been sufficient with many bound by slighter ties of gratitude, to induce a hearty compliance. But Alice had left America, fully aware of the force of the trial that awaited her in respect to many things of this nature, it being unnecessary that we should say more than this, that between herself and Mr. and Mrs. Rodman, a correspondence with friends in England, had long been secured. She promised her friends that at some future day, she would again visit them, and would never cease to cherish a lively impression of their love, their beautiful homes, and faces, their intelligence, piety and personal attentions.

A personal young friend of the family of her uncle, Hugh Boyce, Esq., M. P., Sir Charles Raven, a gentleman of much gravity, intelligence, wealth, paid her his marked attentions, and even sought a private interview through the medium of her uncle, to proffer to her his hand and fortune. Alice kindly, but firmly opposed it, and informed her uncle that her hand was already en- gaged to another, who also held entire possession of her heart, and begged him to decline the honor Sir Charles proposed to confer upon her, with many sincere regrets for the disappointment of his affections.

The party wandered into Scotland, Wales and Ireland. They also visited Paris and Rome. They went to Geneva, and made the beautiful tour of the Rhine. Returning to England, after a month, passed rapidly and felicitously, they embarked on one of the ocean steamers for America, waving adieu to friends they had found so generous and kind abroad, in the hope of rejoining those they loved at home.