ur adviser--not to be treated
with disrespect. I leave you now to think over what I have said. I
trust the result will be that you will make what reparation you can to
Lady Carse: though it is foolish to talk of reparation; for the mischief
done is, I fear, irreparable. I leave you to think of this. Good
evening!"

Annie thought of all that had passed; and of a few other things. She
thought that while it was clear that a pastor might take a wrong view of
the state of mind and conduct of one of his flock, it was a privilege to
know, at least, what view he took. He was faithful, as far as plain
speaking went: and that was much. And then, it is so rarely that any
censure is uttered for which there is absolutely no foundation, that it
is usually profitable to receive it. While feeling that "it is a small
thing to be judged of man's judgment," it may be a great thing to know a
man's unfavourable opinion of us. She would soon recover from this
conversation; and then, if she had obtained any wisdom from it, it would
be, after all, the marking blessing of this day. She was not aware of
another: that Mr Ruthven had been somewhat touched by what she had said
of Rollo--his eyes somewhat opened.

Once more her mind rested on the idea now become so prominent with her.
"The sabbath is coming round again," she thought. "It pleases God to
give us a complete blessing then. It is His word that is spoken then--
His judgment that we are judged by. Nothing comes between us and Him
then. There is always the sabbath now to think of."

Tired as she was, or as she thought herself till she found herself
enjoying the repose of the moonlight shore, there was one more walk
necessary before Annie could try to sleep.

The sea was calm, and there was scarcely any wind. If the smuggling
vessel had approached the island in any part, it could hardly have got
away again. She had not seen it from her hill-side; but she must be
satisfied that it was not on the northern shore. The western was safe
enough, from its being overlooked from Macdonald's farm.

Annie had just reached the longest and widest stretch of beach when the
large moon rose out of the still waters. There was not even the
slightest veil of mist obscuring the horizon; and the fluctuation of the
water-line was distinct upon the clear disk of the moon. The gush of
quivering light which instantaneously reached from the horizon to her
feet illumined Annie's heart no less th