FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166  
167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   178   179   180   181   182   183   184   185   186   187   188   189   190   191   >>   >|  
achel and Grace. The card was written, not engraved, the name "Rd. R. H. C. L. Mauleverer;" and a discussion ensued whether the first letters stood for Richard or for Reverend, and if he could be unconscionable enough to have five initials. The sisters had some business to transact at Villars's, the Avonmouth deposit of literature and stationery, which was in the hands of a somewhat aspiring genius, who edited the weekly paper, and respected Miss Rachel Curtis in proportion to the number of periodicals she took in, and the abstruseness of the publications she inquired after. The paper in its Saturday's dampness lay fresh on the counter, and glancing at the new arrivals, Grace had the desired opportunity of pointing to Mr. Mauleverer's name, and asking when he had come. About a week since, said the obliging Mr. Villars, he appeared to be a gentleman of highly literary and artistic tastes, a philanthropist; indeed, Mr. Villars understood him to be a clerical gentlemen who had opinions-- "Oh, Rachel, I am very sorry," said Grace. "Sorry, what for?" "Why, you and mamma seemed quite inclined to like him." "Well, and what have we heard?" "Not much that is rational, certainly," said Grace, smiling; "but we know what was meant." "Granting that we do, what is proved against him? No, I will not say proved, but alleged. He is one of the many who have thought for themselves upon the perplexing problems of faith and practice, and has been sincere, uncompromising, self-sacrificing, in avowing that his mind is still in that state of solution in which all earnest and original minds must be ere the crystallizing process sets in. Observe, Grace, I am not saying for an instant that he is in the right. All I do say is, that when depth of thought and candour have brought misfortune upon a man, it is ungenerous, therefore, to treat him as if he had the leprosy." "Indeed, Rachel, I think you have made more out of his opinions than I did." "I was only arguing on your construction of his opinions." "Take care--!" For they were at this moment reaching a gate of Myrtlewood, and the sound of hoofs came close behind them. They were those of the very handsome chestnut, ridden by Alexander Keith, who jumped off his horse with more alacrity than usual as they were opening the gate for him, and holding out his hand, eagerly said-- "Then I conclude there is nothing the matter?" "Nothing at all," said Grace. "What did you hear
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166  
167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   178   179   180   181   182   183   184   185   186   187   188   189   190   191   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

opinions

 
Villars
 

Rachel

 

thought

 
Mauleverer
 

proved

 

problems

 
Observe
 

sincere

 

candour


practice

 

instant

 

process

 

perplexing

 

avowing

 
solution
 

brought

 

earnest

 

sacrificing

 

uncompromising


original
 

crystallizing

 

arguing

 
jumped
 

alacrity

 

Alexander

 

handsome

 

chestnut

 

ridden

 

opening


matter

 

Nothing

 

conclude

 

holding

 

eagerly

 
Indeed
 
leprosy
 

ungenerous

 
construction
 

Myrtlewood


reaching

 

moment

 
misfortune
 
inclined
 
aspiring
 

genius

 
edited
 
stationery
 
literature
 

business