586 THE YOUNG CLERGYMAN. 



CHAPTER II. THE COLLEGIAN. 



" She that hath a heart of that fine frame, 



To pay the debt of love 



How will she love, when the rich golden shaft 

 Hath struck all the affections that in her dwell!" 



THERE are epochs in the lives of individuals, as well as in the 

 history of nations. Some event, often fortuitous, gives a tone to 

 succeeding occurrences, till it is in time displaced by another, which 

 in like manner impresses itself, to be again removed at some future 

 period. 



When James Edwards was eighteen, and from youth had attained 

 the threshold of manhood, the first great moral epoch of his ex- 

 istence developed itself. This was a first and passionate love, which 

 now, when all was prepared for his removal to the university, came 

 to add pangs to the pain of separation. 



Mrs. Jennings had inhabited a sweet little cottage, abutting upon 



the burial-ground of the church of R for many years. When 



she first settled herself amongst the parishioners of Mr. Edwards, 

 nothing whatever was known of her ; but she came in widow's 

 weeds, accompanied by a little girl, her daughter, and the good 

 rector had made her an especial object of his kindness. 



He soon learnt her brief history. Her husband had held some 

 minor office under government, and, in consequence of an accident 

 sustained in the course of his duties, had been so severely injured 

 that he did not long survive it. He had left her a young widow, 

 with the little Mary, and a very small annuity, which barely sufficed 

 to support them. 



The propriety of Mrs. Jennings's conduct, the excellent education 

 she had received and profited by, and the air of respectability which 

 she still retained, secured an introduction into the family of the par- 

 sonage. By and bye a very close intimacy grew up, which was not 

 a little cemented and fostered by the fondness the rector's children 

 showed for her own darling and beautiful child. Indeed she passed 

 more time in the spacious nursery of the rectory, than in her own 

 humble and contracted apartment. 



The children became therefore members of the same household in 

 a great measure. The same studies were pursued by little Mary, as 

 she was called, as by the young Edwards's ; and they shared equally 

 the same amusements and the same childish griefs. It was however 

 soon observed that James attached himself more closely to the 

 stranger than to his own sister. He was her ready and resolute 

 champion in all their infantine quarrels, and her intercessor when 

 graver faults required it. He also preferred her company in his 

 boyish rambles, sometimes greatly to the annoyance and jealousy of 

 his sister ; and at all times the brightest flower and fairest fruit 

 were hoarded for little Mary. The child in return loved him with 

 her whole heart : she bore with his petulance, and, when old enough, 

 heard him repeat his lessons, seated in the low and ivy-covered porch 

 of the church. 



