Still there were hours when her grief could not be controlled; when poor weak human nature cried out, "It is more than I can endure. Has it come to this, that I am abandoned, forsaken?—that I shall never again see one to whom my heart clings, notwithstanding all that has passed?" Mr. Wallingford sent the journal containing a notice of the divorce to Paul; and then tried to forget, and lead others to forget his existence. When he gave the paper to his sister, pointing out the paragraph, she gave way to a burst of emotion. Pressing her baby to her breast she sobbed over him, faltering: "Oh, my poor boy! my poor, fatherless boy!" "I pledge myself, Gertrude," said her brother, greatly moved, "with the help of God, to be a father to him; to watch over him and care for his interests as if he were my own child." From that very hour he began to teach little Paul to call him papa, and soon grew into the feeling that he was a father in reality. The fall and winter months glided away unmarked by any event, except that Edward heard through Paul's sister that he had received notice of the legal proceedings taken against him; and expressed himself satisfied with the result; being decided not to return to the United States, and feeling unable to support a family abroad. Gertrude came gradually to mingle in society, frequently visiting New York for a few days, leaving her babe who was uncommonly healthy, with Bridget under Hannah's supervision. All who knew her, found themselves equally delighted and surprised at the noble development of her character. It was indeed true that the afflictions through which she had passed had refined her, as silver is refined in the furnace. Her piety had deepened and matured till it could easily be seen, that her chastisement had "'yielded the peaceable fruits of righteousness.'" She was now approaching her twenty-first birth day; a season always saddened by the associations; and her guardian laughingly assured her he should be ready to give up the care of her property. She was aware that her few thousands had been lying at interest; and was delighted that she should be enabled to educate her boy for a broad field of usefulness. Her great desire was that he should be a clergyman; but this was at present confined to her own breast. Between herself and her brother the most entire confidence usually existed; but of late she had noticed that he was reserved, and unusually occupied. Early in the morning he started off for New York without consulting with his farmer as had been the case since the early spring; and when he returned late at night sat absorbed in thought or smiling to himself. One day, however, he returned before dinner, and meeting Bridget dragging her boy in his fancy carriage along the avenue, seized him and mounted him in triumph on his shoulder. "Gerty!" he shouted, at the foot of the staircase, "Gerty, come here a moment." She ran down, wondering what had happened.