e penny tract as a 'remarkable instance
of infant piety' a small 'vessel of mercy,' to whom the Gospel was
miraculously revealed at three years old?"

"Do not--oh! do not speak thus," cried Olive, shrinking from him, for
she saw in his face a look she had never seen before--an expression
answering to the bitter, daring sarcasm of his tone.

"You think me a strange specimen of a Church of England clergyman? Well,
perhaps you are right! I believe I am rather different to my brethren."
He said this with sharp irony. "Nevertheless, if you inquire concerning
me in the neighbourhood, I think you will find that my moral conduct has
never disgraced my cloth."

"Never!" cried Olive warmly. "Mr. Gwynne, pardon me if I have
overstepped the deference due to yourself and your opinions. In some
things I cannot fathom them or you; but that you are a good, sincere,
and pious man, I most earnestly believe."

"_Do you!_"

Olive started. The two words were simple, but she thought they had an
under-meaning, as though he were mocking either himself or her, or both.
But she thought this could only be fancy; when in a minute or two after,
he said in his ordinary manner,

"Miss Rothesay, we have been talking earnestly, and you have
unconsciously betrayed me into speaking more warmly than I ought to
speak. Do not misjudge me. All men's faith is free; and in some minor
points of Christianity, I perhaps hold peculiar opinions. As regards
little Ailie, I thank you for your kind interest in this matter, which
we will discuss again another time."

They had now reached John Dent's cottage. Olive asked if he would not
enter with her.

"No, no; you are a far better apostle than your clergyman. Besides, I
have business at home, and must return. Good morning, Miss Rothesay."

He lifted his hat with a courtly grace, but his eyes showed that
reverence which no courts could command--the reverence of a sincere man
for a noble-hearted woman. And so he walked back into the forest.

CHAPTER XXX.

The dwelling which Miss Rothesay entered was one of the keeper's
cottages, built within the forest. The door stood open, for the place
was too lowly, even for robbers; and, besides, its inmates had nothing
to lose. Still, Olive thought it was wrong to leave a poor bedridden old
woman in a state of such unprotected desolation. As her step was heard
crossing the threshold, there was a shrill cry from the inner room.

"John, John--the lad!--hast thee