ducted her newly arrived guests into a small, but neatly furnished parlour, to which a cheerful fire gave an appearance of additional comfort. Nevertheless, the children seemed not a little dejected, which their kind hostess quickly perceiving, and supposing it to result from intimidation at being left alone in a strange house, exerted herself by acts of maternal kindness to comfort them, taking each by turns on her knee, and endeavouring with an affectionate familiarity to soothe and amuse them. But the little Rosilia, so lately pronounced out of danger, trembled like an aspen-leaf, and Oriana in her turn showed signs of indisposition.
What a trial! what a conflict of feelings for the mother! Still as her disasters accumulated, it became evident to herself that providentially and unexpectedly her strength of mind was proportionally sustained. Encompassed as was this tender wife and parent on every side with sorrow, divided between her absent husband, son, and the dear children then present; the two former unhappily afflicted within the narrow, confines of a prison, presented an image torturing to her mind. Having now therefore no alternative, she earnestly commended with prayers her little ones to the promises and sympathizing feelings of the worthy
