telling of the friendship between his
mother and Miss Essie's aunt--of their hopes and plans for them, of
their correspondence, and lastly of Mr Langden's interference as to a
positive engagement because of his daughter's youth. Of course there
was no chance for congratulation, he said.

But Miss Elizabeth had hopes to express and good wishes, and one good
thing came out of their talk: the coldness or distance, or whatever it
might be called, that had come between the friends for a while, seemed
to pass away, and they fell into their old ways again.

Miss Elizabeth counselled and encouraged, and discussed church affairs
and Gershom affairs very much as she had always done, and no doubt the
minister was as much the better through it as he had been from the
first. Miss Essie sent letters to Mr Maxwell, many and long, and now
and then a note to Miss Elizabeth, but that young lady's name was not
very often mentioned between them.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

JACOB'S TROUBLES.

This was by no means so happy a winter in Gershom church and society as
last winter had been. The various circumstances that had been thought
causes for congratulation last year were to be rejoiced over still. Mr
Maxwell was holding his own among them. His sermons were admired as
much as ever. The various meetings were well attended; there was no
perceptible falling off in the subscription-list, and many of the North
Gore people were as regular in their attendance, and to all appearance
as loyal to church interests as could be desired. Still it was not so
pleasant or so prosperous a winter as the last had been.

There was not much said about it, even by the privileged grumblers among
them, for a while, and the people who made the best of things generally
saw only what was to be expected. In the best laid plans there will be
some points of doubtful excellence. In all new arrangements there will
be grating and friction which cannot even with the best intentions be at
first overcome. The only way was to have patience and be ready with
"the oil of gentleness and the feather of forbearance," so as to give a
touch here or there as it was needed, and everything would be sure to
move smoothly after a while.

No special cause was assigned for this state of things. No one thought
of connecting Jacob Holt's name with it, but as the winter wore over a
good many eyes were turned toward him, and a good many tongues were busy
discussing his affairs, and