r and viler part of his nature--on
the steady and certain gain which was the ultimate reward of his faith
and his firmness--and on the blessed sense of peace and happiness
which accompanied the final triumph. Preaching to this effect, with the
fervent conviction which I really felt, I may say for myself, at least,
that I did no discredit to the choice which had placed me in the pulpit.
I held the attention of my congregation, from the first word to the
last.

While I was resting in the vestry on the conclusion of the service, a
note was brought to me written in pencil. A member of my congregation--a
gentleman--wished to see me, on a matter of considerable importance
to himself. He would call on me at any place, and at any hour, which
I might choose to appoint. If I wished to be satisfied of his
respectability, he would beg leave to refer me to his father, with whose
name I might possibly be acquainted.

The name given in the reference was undoubtedly familiar to me, as the
name of a man of some celebrity and influence in the world of London. I
sent back my card, appointing an hour for the visit of my correspondent
on the afternoon of the next day.

VI.

THE stranger made his appearance punctually. I guessed him to be some
two or three years younger than myself. He was undeniably handsome; his
manners were the manners of a gentleman--and yet, without knowing why, I
felt a strong dislike to him the moment he entered the room.

After the first preliminary words of politeness had been exchanged
between us, my visitor informed me as follows of the object which he had
in view.

"I believe you live in the country, sir?" he began.

"I live in the West of England," I answered.

"Do you make a long stay in London?"

"No. I go back to my rectory to-morrow."

"May I ask if you take pupils?"

"Yes."

"Have you any vacancy?"

"I have one vacancy."

"Would you object to let me go back with you to-morrow, as your pupil?"

The abruptness of the proposal took me by surprise. I hesitated.

In the first place (as I have already said), I disliked him. In the
second place, he was too old to be a fit companion for my other two
pupils--both lads in their teens. In the third place, he had asked me to
receive him at least three weeks before the vacation came to an end. I
had my own pursuits and amusements in prospect during that interval, and
saw no reason why I should inconvenience myself by setting them aside.

He notice