are the eggs?" And then John, in livery, brought in the
fresh eggs. "Now we shall do. I always eat my eggs while they're
hot, Crawley, and I advise you to do the same." To all this Mr.
Crawley said very little, and he was not at all at home under the
circumstances. Perhaps a thought did pass across his brain, as to
the difference between the meal which he had left on his own table,
and that which he now saw before him; and as to any cause which
might exist for such difference. But, if so, it was a very fleeting
thought, for he had far other matter now fully occupying his mind.
And then the breakfast was over, and in a few minutes the two
clergymen found themselves together in the parsonage study.

"Mr. Robarts," began the senior, when he had seated himself
uncomfortably on one of the ordinary chairs at the farther side
of the well-stored library table, while Mark was sitting at his
ease in his own arm-chair by the fire, "I have called upon you on
an unpleasant business." Mark's mind immediately flew off to Mr.
Sowerby's bill, but he could not think it possible that Mr. Crawley
could have had anything to do with that.

"But as a brother clergyman, and as one who esteems you much and
wishes you well, I have thought myself bound to take this matter in
hand."

"What matter is it, Crawley?"

"Mr. Robarts, men say that your present mode of life is one that is
not befitting a soldier in Christ's army."

"Men say so! what men?"

"The men around you, of your own neighbourhood; those who watch
your life, and know all your doings; those who look to see you
walking as a lamp to guide their feet, but find you consorting with
horse-jockeys and hunters, galloping after hounds, and taking your
place among the vainest of worldly pleasure-seekers. Those who have a
right to expect an example of good living, and who think that they do
not see it." Mr. Crawley had gone at once to the root of the matter,
and in doing so had certainly made his own task so much the easier.
There is nothing like going to the root of the matter at once when
one has on hand an unpleasant piece of business.

"And have such men deputed you to come here?"

"No one has or could depute me. I have come to speak my own mind, not
that of any other. But I refer to what those around you think and
say, because it is to them that your duties are due. You owe it to
those around you to live a godly, cleanly life;--as you owe it also,
in a much higher way, to your Fa