scandal, the matter died a natural death. But
when the honeymoon was waning, Mab reminded George of his promise to
supply the missing word.

'Is it goose?' she asked playfully.

'No, my sweetest, although it ought to be!' replied George, pinching his
wife's pretty ear. 'It is Mab Pendle!' and he kissed her.

Brisk Dr Graham was at the double wedding, in his most amiable and least
cynical mood. He congratulated the bishop and Mrs Pendle, shook hands
warmly with the bridegroom, and just as warmly--on the basis of a
life-long friendship--kissed the brides. Also, after the wedding
breakfast--at which he made the best speech--he had an argument with
Baltic about his penal conception of Christianity. The ex-sailor had
been very mournful after the suicide of Mark, as the rash act had proved
how shallow had been the man's repentance.

'But what can you expect?' said Graham, to him. 'It is impossible to
terrify people into a legitimate belief in religion.'

'I don't want to do that, sir,' replied Baltic, soberly. 'I wish to lead
them to the Throne with love and tenderness.'

'I can hardly call your method by such names, my friend. You simply ruin
people in this life to fit them, in their own despite, for their next
existence.'

'When all is lost, doctor, men seek God.'

'Perhaps; but that's a shabby way of seeking Him. If I could not be
converted of my own free will, I certainly shouldn't care about being
driven to take such a course. Your system, my friend, is ingenious, but
impossible.'

'I have yet to prove that it is impossible, doctor.'

'Humph! I daresay you'll succeed in gaining disciples,' said Graham,
with a shrug. 'There is no belief strange enough for some men to doubt.
After Mormonism and Joseph Smith's deification, I am prepared to believe
that humanity will go to any length in its search after the unseen. No
doubt you'll form a sect in time, Mr Baltic. If so, call your disciples
Hobsonites.'

'Why, Dr Graham?'

'Because the gist of your preaching, so far as I can understand, is a
Hobson's choice,' retorted the doctor. 'When your flock of criminals
lose everything through your exposure of their crimes, they have
nothing left but religion.'

'Nothing left but God, you mean, sir; and God is everything.'

'No doubt I agree with the latter part of your epigram, Baltic, although
your God is not my God.'

'There is only one God, doctor.'

'True, my friend; but you and I see Him under different forms,