ou said about her was perfect. As you
spoke, I was thinking how proud and thankful we ought to be for the
privilege of knowing her--we who do know her well--although of course
your friendship with her is vastly more intimate than mine--than mine
could ever hope to be."

The priest offered no comment, and Theron went on: "I hardly know how to
describe the remarkable impression she makes upon me. I can't imagine to
myself any other young woman so brilliant or broad in her views, or so
courageous. Of course, her being so rich makes it easier for her to do
just what she wants to do, but her bravery is astonishing all the same.
We had a long and very sympathetic talk in the woods, that day of the
picnic, after we left you. I don't know whether she spoke to you about
it?"

Father Forbes made a movement of the head and eyes which seemed to
negative the suggestion.

"Her talk," continued Theron, "gave me quite new ideas of the range and
capacity of the female mind. I wonder that everybody in Octavius isn't
full of praise and admiration for her talents and exceptional character.
In such a small town as this, you would think she would be the centre of
attention--the pride of the place."

"I think she has as much praise as is good for her," remarked the
priest, quietly.

"And here's a thing that puzzles me," pursued Mr. Ware. "I was immensely
surprised to find that Dr. Ledsmar doesn't even think she is smart--or
at least he professes the utmost intellectual contempt for her, and says
he dislikes her into the bargain. But of course she dislikes him, too,
so that's only natural. But I can't understand his denying her great
ability."

The priest smiled in a dubious way. "Don't borrow unnecessary alarm
about that, Mr. Ware," he said, with studied smoothness of modulated
tones. "These two good friends of mine have much enjoyment out of
the idea that they are fighting for the mastery over my poor unstable
character. It has grown to be a habit with them, and a hobby as well,
and they pursue it with tireless zest. There are not many intellectual
diversions open to us here, and they make the most of this one. It
amuses them, and it is not without its charms for me, in my capacity
as an interested observer. It is a part of the game that they should
pretend to themselves that they detest each other. In reality I fancy
that they like each other very much. At any rate, there is nothing to be
disturbed about."

His mellifluous tones h