t only one instance of it appeared, and he was a cathedral canon, his
presentation dated in 1832, the time at which, judging from appearances,
the object of her search might have been born; besides, he rejoiced in
the simple name of Thomas. But Rachel's search was brought to an abrupt
conclusion by the issue of Mr. Mauleverer himself from the reading-room
within the shop. He bowed and passed by, but Rachel for the life of her
could not hinder a burning colour from spreading to the very tips of
her ears; so certain did she feel that she was insulting him by her
researches, and that he perceived them. She felt absolutely ashamed to
see him the next day, and even in her dreams was revolving speeches
that might prove that though cautious and clear-sighted, she was neither
suspicious nor narrow-minded.

He came when some morning visitors were at the Homestead, prosy
neighbours whose calls were always a penance to Rachel, and the
butler, either from the manner of the inquiry or not regarding him as
drawing-room company, put him into the dining-room and announced, "Mr.
Mauleverer to see Miss Rachel." Up jumped Miss Rachel, with "You'll
excuse me, it is on business;" and went off highly satisfied that
"the mother" was hindered by politeness from making any attempt at
chaperonage either personally or through Grace, so unnecessary at her
age, for since Colonel Keith's departure, Rachel's age had begun to grow
on her again. She held out her hand as if to atone for her search, but
she found at once that it had been remarked.

"You were doing me the honour to look for my name in the 'Clergy List,'
Miss Curtis," he said.

"Yes, one is apt--," faltered Rachel, decidedly out of countenance.

"I quite appreciate the motive. It is exactly in accord with Miss
Curtis's prudence and good sense. I should wish to be fully explicit
before any arrangements are made. I am unhappily not in orders, Miss
Curtis. I know your liberality will regard the cause with leniency."

"Indeed," said Rachel, sufficiently restored to recall one of her
premeditated reassurances. "I can fully appreciate any reluctance to
become stringently bound to dogmatic enunciations, before the full
powers of the intellect have examined into them."

"You have expressed it exactly, Miss Curtis. Without denying an iota of
them, I may be allowed to regret that our formularies are too technical
for a thoughtful mind in the present age."

"Many have found it so," returned Ra