, does Maverick provoke such expostulation; he is so considerate
of the Doctor's feelings, so grateful for his attentions to Adele, so
religiously disposed (it must be said) in all that concerns the
daughter's education and future, and waives the Doctor's personal
advices with so kind and easy a grace, that the poor parson despairs of
reaching him with the point of the sword of Divine truth.

"My good friend," says Maverick, "you have been a father to my child,--a
better one than I have made,--I wish I could repay you."

The Doctor bows stiffly; he has lost the familiarity which at their last
interview had lingered from their boyish days at college.

"I suppose that under your teaching," continues Maverick, "she is so
fixed in the New England faith of our fathers, that she might be trusted
now even to my bad guidance."

"I have tried to do my duty, Maverick. I could have wished to see more
of self-abasement in her, and a clearer acceptance of the doctrine we
are called upon to teach."

"But she has been constant in the performance of all the duties you have
enjoined, hasn't she, Doctor?"

"Entirely so,--entirely; but, my friend, our poor worldly efforts at
duty do not always call down the gift of Grace."

"By Jove, Doctor, but that seems hard doctrine."

"Hard to carnal minds, Maverick; but the evidences are abundant that
justification"----

"Nay, nay," said Maverick, interrupting him; "you know I'm not strong in
theology; I don't want to be put _hors du combat_ by you; I know I
should be. But about that little affair of the rosary,--no harm came of
it, I hope?"

"None, I believe," said the Doctor, "but I must not conceal from you,
Maverick, that a late teacher of hers, to whom unfortunately she seems
very much attached, is strongly wedded to the iniquities of the Romish
Church."

"That would seem a very awkward risk to take, Doctor," said Maverick,
with more of seriousness than he had yet shown.

"A risk, certainly; but I took the precaution of warning Madame Arles,
who is the party in question, against any conversation with Adaly upon
religious subjects."

"And you ventured to trust her? Upon my word, Johns, you give me a
lesson in faith. I should have been more severe than you. I wouldn't
have admitted such intercourse; and, my good friend, if I should ask
permission to reinstate Adele in your household for a time, promise me
that all intercourse with Madame Arles shall be cut off. I know
Frenchwomen