Relieved from the _immediate_ pressure which had, as it were, forced him down into the very dust, poor Aubrey's pious and well-disciplined mind was not long in recovering that tone of confident reliance upon the goodness and mercy of God, which God had seen fit so severely to try; and such He now permitted Aubrey to see had been His object. He and his lovely--his beloved wife and sister, soon recovered a considerable measure of composure, and even cheerfulness; yet felt they all _in the deep waters_. The generous and timely interference of Mr. Runnington had secured them, indeed, a few months' respite from the harassing and tormenting attacks of those who seemed bent upon their destruction; but what was to become of them all, when the arrival of the next term should have again set into motion against them the dismal machinery of the law? None of them could foresee any mode of exit from their troubles; speculation was idle: yet lost they not an humble but trembling hope, that Providence would yet make a way for their escape. The one of all the recent occurrences which had most shocked and disheartened Mr. Aubrey, and driven him nearest to the verge of downright despair, was that of Lady Stratton's death, and its afflicting concomitants. How powerfully and perseveringly did the Arch-enemy of mankind represent this circumstance to him--especially in those moods of depression which are incident to all of us in this fluctuating scene of trial and suffering--as proof that he was the sport of chance, the victim of evil destiny! What--it was suggested--had he, his wife, his sister, done to _deserve_ it? But, thank God! in vain were these suggestions from beneath; totally ineffectual "To shake his trust in God!"