garments with long lugubrious faces?" exclaimed Sir James in
amazement.

"Some of them do indeed wear seedy black garments," replied Aspel,
"under some strange hallucination, I suppose, that it is their duty to
appear like clergymen, and I admit that they would look infinitely more
respectable in sober and economical grey tweeds; but you must have seen
bad specimens of the class of men if you think their faces long and
lugubrious. I know many of them whose faces are round and jovial, and
whose spirits correspond to their faces. No doubt they are sometimes
sad. Your own face would lengthen a little, Sir James, if you went
where they go, and saw what they sometimes see."

"I dare say you are right. Well, but have you seriously joined this
body of men?"

"Not officially. I--I--hesitate to offer myself, because--that is to
say, I am a sort of free-lance just now."

"But, my young friend," returned Sir James slowly, "I understand that
city missionaries preach, and usually have a considerable training in
theology; now, it is not very long ago since you were a--excuse me--I--I
shrink from hurting your feelings, but--"

"A drunkard, Sir James," said Aspel, looking down and blushing crimson.
"State the naked truth. I admit it, with humiliation and sorrow; but,
to the everlasting praise of God, I can say that Jesus Christ has saved
me from drink. Surely, that being the case, I am in some degree fitted
to speak of the Great Remedy--the Good Physician--to the thousands who
are perishing in this city from the effects of drink, even though I be
not deeply versed in theology. To save men and women from what I have
suffered, by exhorting and inducing them to come to the Saviour is all
my aim--it is now my chief ambition."

Sir James looked inquiringly at the fire and shook his head. He was
evidently not convinced.

"There is truth in what you say, Aspel, but by taking this course you
sacrifice your prospects entirely--at least in this life."

"On the contrary, Sir James, I expect, by taking this course, to gain
all that in this life is worth living for."

"Ah! I see, you have become religiously mad," said Sir James, with a
perplexed look; "well, Aspel, you must take your own way, for I am aware
that it is useless to reason with madmen; yet I cannot help expressing
my regret that a young fellow of your powers should settle down into a
moping, melancholy, would-be reformer of drunkards."

To this Aspel replied with