, 'if you do come over to us, it's no reason
you should join _my_ church. You may not like our clergyman. You know,
when you first came to New York, I recommended you to join Dr. Pratt's
congregation instead of Dr. Chellis's; but you wanted severe preaching,
and you have had it. Now there are similar varieties among the
Episcopalians. Dr. Wing, though a strict churchman, will give you sharp
exercise, if you listen to him. He will handle you without gloves. He is
fond of using the sword of the spirit, and you had best stand from
under, or he will cleave you through and through. My clergyman, Mr.
Myrtle, is a very different man. He believes in the gospel as a message
of peace and love, and his sermons are beautiful. One feels so safe and
happy to hear him discourse of the mercy of God, and the joys of
heaven.'

'Nevertheless,' replied Hiram, stoutly, 'I hold to my old opinion, and I
confess I prefer such a preacher as Dr. Wing to one like Mr. Myrtle. But
under existing circumstances I shall go with you.'

He was thinking about the splendid match Mr. Bennett had hinted at.

'I am glad to hear you say so,' said Mr. Bennett; 'it will bring us more
frequently together. You have a brilliant future, if you will listen to
me; but it won't do to make another blunder, such as you have just
committed.'

'I suppose you will tell me now about that young lady?' asked Hiram,
with an interest he could not conceal.

'Not one word, not one syllable,' replied the other, good humoredly,
'until you are actually within the pale. Don't be alarmed,' he
continued, seeing Hiram look disappointed. 'To tell you would not do the
least good, and might frustrate my plans. But I will work the matter for
you, my boy, if it is a possible thing; and for my part I see no
difficulty in it. When my family come in town we will organize. Meantime
let me ask, have you learned to waltz?'

'To waltz?' exclaimed Hiram, in horror. 'No. I don't even know how to
_dance_; I was taught to believe it sinful. As to waltzing, how can you
ask me if I practise such a disgusting, such an immoral style of
performance, invented by infidel German students to give additional zest
to their orgies.'

'Did Dr. Chellis tell you that,' said Mr. Bennett, with something like a
sneer.

'No; I read it in the _Christian Herald_.'

'I thought so. Dr. Chellis has too much sense to utter such stuff.'

'Does Mr. Myrtle approve of waltzing?' inquired Hiram, with a groan.

'Hiram,