stitions.

Nelly had told me much about him; for though he kept himself aloof a
great deal from the girls, every now and then he would unbend, and, as
he had done this night, would take them into his study and interest
them with his telescope and conversation.

But I resolved not to read any of his books. I felt I dared not
wilfully go into such temptation; and when, as I was leaving him, he
asked me if I would like the loan of a few, I answered, 'No, thank you,
I would rather not. I am not a dissatisfied, restless soul that is
seeking for the truth. I have found it, and am happy in it.'

'You are a very self-satisfied soul, at all events,' he said.

I coloured up, for I had been feeling a little self-righteous as I
mentally condemned him for his free-thinking opinions.

'I ought not to be satisfied,' I said in a contrite voice, 'with self;
but I am satisfied with Christ.'

And then I left him.

Nelly was very full of the delightful evening they had spent, when I
saw her the next morning, and I listened and tried to take an interest
in her account, for I knew how she loved to talk about such things; but
I heard nothing to make me regret my choice.

'Captain Gates left us that afternoon. As he was wishing us all
good-bye, he turned to me and said:

'You will see me over here in another three weeks, for I am coming to
the dance here then, so this will not be a long good-bye.'

Then, as he shook hands with me, he lowered his voice, and said
earnestly, 'I shall not forget our talks together, Miss Thorn. I have
been most interested, and I honestly tell you, I should like to have
the happiness and satisfaction that you get out of your religion. I
don't know if I shall ever get it; but you will give me a thought
sometimes, won't you?'

'If you read the Bible, I am sure you will find what you need there,' I
said.

We were very quiet for the next week or two; I began visiting my Sunday
scholars in their homes, and started reading-lessons with Jim. We went
out into the fields, and under the shade of some old tree would spend
many a quiet half-hour. He was so anxious and eager to learn that I
did not find his dullness trying, and though progress seemed very slow,
it was sure, for what he once learnt he did not easily forget. Jim's
uncle, Roger Carter, was quite a character, and he dearly loved me to
drop in and have a chat with him. He was a good old man, and generally
asked me to have a bit of reading or