o be studied, as your unfortunate pastors,
I am informed, have to do. While Mr. Copperhead is under my roof, I make
his friends welcome--for his sake first, probably afterwards for their
own."

"Yes, I asked Northcote," said Clarence; "I never thought they would
have any objection. He's not a common Dissenter, like the most of those
fellows that have nothing but their salaries. He's well off; he don't
require, bless you, to keep people in good temper, and toady to 'em,
like most do. He's as independent as I am; I don't say that he's quite
as well off; but money always finds its level. I shouldn't have thought
of asking May to receive a common Dissenting fellow, like the rest."

Phoebe laughed. It did not occur to the accomplished scion of the house
of Copperhead, nor to the two girls, who were not experienced enough to
think of such things, what was the meaning expressed in Phoebe's laugh,
which was not cheerful. Mr. May himself had the advantage of more
discrimination.

"I hope you will find that, Dissenter or not, I know what is my duty to
my friends," he said. "What my guests may possess, or the exact nature
of their opinions on all points, are not subjects to be discussed by
me."

"Oh, there is nothing to find fault with in _you_," said Phoebe, with
less than her usual universal courtesy; "you are always kind, Mr. May;"
and then she laughed again. "Some people are very clever in finding out
the vulnerable places," she said.

"She is changed," said Clarence, when she was gone. "She is not the
jolly girl she used to be. She was always a very jolly girl; ready to
help a fellow out of a scrape, you know. But Northcote's a fearfully
clever fellow. You should just hear him talk. He and May will go at it
hammer and tongs, as sure as fate."

CHAPTER XXIX.

URSULA'S ENTREES.

It would be difficult to describe the anxiety with which that first
"late dinner" was regarded by Ursula. Janey, too, had thrown herself
into it heart and soul, until she received the crushing intimation from
her father, that her company was not expected at this stately meal; a
discovery which altogether extinguished poor Janey, accustomed to be
always in the front whatever occurred, and to whom suggestions of things
that could not be done by a girl who was not "out," had never presented
themselves. She retired to her own room dissolved in tears when this
fearful mandate went forth, and for the rest of the morning was good for
nothing