who would be a power for good
in the world,--"gentlemen of Christ," as the grand old phrase has it.
When they were indifferent or callous, after the manner of boys, she
strengthened herself against disappointment by remembering how words
committed to memory in her own careless youth remained indelibly printed
on the brain, to be a strength and solace in after years. The hymns and
chapters were learnt as lessons now, but in time to come their true
meaning would be revealed; and she loved to combat the suspicion that
the Bible was a dull, uninteresting book, by relating the histories of
its heroes in a manner most calculated to arouse schoolboy enthusiasm.
Brave, lovable David, with his chosen friend Jonathan, the type of
princehood; the gloomy but majestic figure of Saul, trustful Abraham,
and fearless Daniel. It was a joy to make them live in the boys'
imagination, and see the bright interest on the listening faces!

When Mrs Rendell said good-night to her daughter, she was especially
tender in her manner, for she vaguely felt that all was not going well,
and took herself to task for having forced a confidence. Could it be be
that she had taken too much for granted? that her motherly pride had
given her an exaggerated idea of Ned Talbot's feelings? He had shown no
anxiety to speak to her in private, and at one time it seemed as if he
would go back to town without touching on any but impersonal topics; but
on Monday morning, after wandering restlessly about the house for some
time after breakfast, Ned seemed suddenly to take his courage in both
hands, and, coming up to his hostess as she sat writing notes, begged
the favour of a few minutes' private conversation.

Mrs Rendell looked up sharply, met an embarrassed yet steadfast glance,
and felt a throb of relief.

"Certainly!" she said. "In ten minutes from now I shall have finished
my household arrangements, and will meet you in the summer-house. Go
into the garden and enjoy a smoke until I come."

Ned walked away obediently, and Mrs Rendell thrust the half-finished
note under her desk, too agitated to complete it. She had shown no
signs of surprise to the young man himself, but her heart was beating
quickly, and she bundled away her writing materials in a haphazard
fashion very unlike her usual methodical ways. Her first thought was
for Maud, and most of the ten minutes of Ned's waiting were taken up in
interviewing the girl, and deputing to her a dozen littl