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'O mistress!' said she, bursting into tears, 'I thought you had forgotten me.'

The mistress could not herself keep from tears. 'No, Jessy! I have thought the same of you. I never heard what had happened to you till yesterday.'

'And have you heard every thing, mistress?' asked Jessy. 'Do you know what is before me?'

'Yes, Jessy,' replied the mistress, her lip trembling as she spoke, 'the nurse has told me all. I hope the Lord has prepared you for it better than I was prepared to hear of it.'

'Yes, mistress, the Lord has wonderfully reconciled me to his will in this trial. You know, mistress, how much evil I have to look forward to, if I live after it. You know the kind of home I must now spend the rest of my days in.'

Jessy could scarcely say this for weeping, and the mistress could not answer, but, having drawn near her, took her hand in her's, and just wept with her. Jessy threw her arms round her kind friend's neck, and said, sobbing, 'O mistress! you will not think this looks like resignation to the will of God, but, indeed though my heart is full, and I cannot help crying this way, yet I feel happy; but seeing you puts me in mind of so many things.'

'My dear Jessy,' said the mistress, 'do not let yourself forbode evil. The Lord reigns. All hearts are in his hands. He makes all things work together for good to those who love him. Surely, after all he has done for you, Jessy, you may trust him now. Was your home any better when he put it into the heart of your mother to bring you where he was to meet you with instruction, and lead you to himself? Has he not continued to guide and bless you amidst all the disadvantages of that home? and now is he not teaching you, that it is upon himself, who brought his salvation near to you, when you thought not on him, that you must rely? He is teaching you, that you must not say within your heart, I will go to this situation, or to that situation, where I may have a good example, and be kept in God's ways; but I will go to that Lord whom I have taken for my master, and my guide, and my portion; and I will wait on him, and look on whatever situation his providence places me in, as the very best for me.'

'Yes, yes, dear mistress,' replied Jessy. Every word you say makes my heart cling closer to Him. I will not fear the future.'

After this Jessy had a long conversation with her mistress, during which she fully opened her heart to that kind and sincere friend on every subject which had given her uneasiness, and received from her much advice, and much comfort; after which she remained quite composed, and, when alone, spent most of the time in prayer. When her mother came, she was enabled to speak words of comfort to her, and took that opportunity of pressing home upon her mind, the necessity of knowing and serving God, if we would hope to be supported in affliction, or prepared for death.

Early next day, Jessy was visited by her doctor. He felt her pulse.

'You are no worse to-day, Jessy,' said he kindly.

'No, Sir, thank God,' replied Jessy.

'You remember what I said to you yesterday, Jessy, that when the patient had strength for it, we made no delays after having determined that an operation was necessary.'

'I do Sir,' replied Jessy, becoming very pale, 'and I trust I am ready.'

'We think of to-day,' said the doctor gently.

'To-day!' repeated Jessy. Well, Sir, whenever you think it best.'

'God will support you, Jessy ; put your whole trust in him,' said the doctor. I will now send the nurse to make you ready. Do not fear. It will not last long.' The doctor left her, and Jessy prayed fervently for support. In a little, the nurse came and spoke very encouragingly. All necessary preparations were soon made for Jessy to be taken to the place where the operation was to be performed. The doctor came again, and felt her pulse.

'It will soon be over, my good girl, remember God is with you,' said he kindly.

I hope you are to do it, Sir,' said, Jessy earnestly.

'A much more skilful doctor is to do it, Jessy, -- one, in comparison of whom I am only a beginner.'

'O! Sir, I would wish you to do it, rather than any other doctor. I would feel, when it was a servant of God who made me suffer, more as if it was the hand of my Lord.'

'It is your Lord's hand, Jessy, whatever instrument he pleases to use. It is still his gracious, gentle hand; and it is his mercy which make even this severe trial as easy as the greatest skill can make it.'

'It is so, indeed,' said Jessy.

'I will be near you all the time,' added the doctor, kindly.

'More mercy,' whispered Jessy, as she was carried from her bed.

The nurse had put her shawl over her head, and desired her not to look, as the sight of the necessary preparations would only frighten her; and Jessy scrupulously obeyed this injunction.

In less than an hour the operation was over, and Jessy again laid in bed. She said afterwards, that she had suffered less than she expected; and that all the time she felt as sure of the presence of her Lord and Saviour, as if the veil had been withdrawn, and she admitted amongst the spirits of the 'just made perfect.'