Four Gates by Amy Le Feuvre

"Souls that carry on a blest exchange Of joys they meet with in their heavenly range, And, with a fearless confidence, make known The sorrows Sympathy esteems its own- Daily derive increasing light and force From such communion in their pleasant course. " COWPER.

"AND now, dear Mrs. Daventry, tell me all the news."

Audrey was sitting with her old friend in the drawing-room after dinner. It was a cosy, comfortable room, with an ingle nook by the fire, and it was a delicious experience to Audrey to be in such luxurious surroundings.

She laughingly said as much to her hostess.

"I'm not accustomed to laze. I never could do it when dear father was alive, and since then, I have been tossed up and down, and buffeted by thorough westerly gales. Do you remember our gates? I never have forgotten them. I'm sure I shall have squalls all my life."

"But, my dear, you are happy and comfortable at Horsborough College, are you not?"

"Yes, but I do not think I am going to stay there, and it is a very busy life, Mrs. Daventry. I have no chance to be lazy."

"Then you will appreciate this resting time all the more."

"I do."

And then Audrey asked for the news of the neighbourhood.

"There is not much to tell you. Amabel is away visiting her 'fiancé's' people. She is to be married in January, and go to India with her husband."

"The poor Osbornes! How will they bear the parting?"

"As cheerfully as they do everything else. Then Mr. Broughton has imported an organist who is a gentleman. He is somewhat of a character. He has private means of his own, and has furnished two rooms over the village post office in rather a sumptuous way. He lectures on a variety of topics, and is a very good speaker. He goes about the country a good deal, delivering parish lectures on astronomy, hygiene, health, temperance, and Church history. He is quite a nice man, about forty, and very wiry and keen over his lectures. He reads the lessons in the church sometimes, besides playing the organ, and we all enjoy his music immensely."

"He will be an amateur curate, perhaps," said Audrey. "I shall like to know him. His advent must have fluttered the whole district. How is Pauline?"

"Dear Pauline. I won't pity her-somehow one cannot. She is so sweetly cheerful and contented with her lot, and yet what a monotonous, trying life it is! I know you will be off to her the first thing to-morrow morning, won't you?"

"I have missed Pauline more than anyone else," said Audrey earnestly. "And has Honor been heard of? Is she never coming home?"

"Yes; she is coming back for ten days. She will spend Christmas here. It will be pleasant for you girls to meet again and compare experiences."

"I have learnt that I am a failure in life," said Audrey quickly.

Mrs. Daventry looked at her keenly.

"I was thinking that a little bit of the old Audrey is lacking."