mmanded implicit credence,
and Mr. Parsons inferred more, instead of less, than she expressed;
better able as he was to estimate that manly character, gaining force
with growth, and though slow to discern between good and evil, always
firm to the duty when it was once perceived, and thus rising with the
elevation of the standard. The undemonstrative temper and tardiness in
adopting extra habits of religious observance and profession, which had
disappointed Honor, struck the clergyman as evidences both of sincerity
and evenness of development, proving the sterling reality of what had
been attained.

'Not taking, but trusty,' judged the vicar.

But the lad was an angry lover. How tantalizing to be offered a fourth
curate, with a long purse, only to find St. Wulstan's serving as an
outlet for a lover's quarrel, and the youth restless and restive ere the
end of his diaconate!

'How savage you are,' said his wife; 'as if the parish would be hurt by
his help or his presence. If he goes, let him go--some other help will
come.'

'And don't deprive him of the advantage of a good master,' said Honor.

'This wretched cure is not worth flattery,' he said, smiling.

'Nay,' said Mrs. Parsons, 'how often have I heard you rejoice that you
started here.'

'Under Mr. Charlecote--yes.'

'You are the depository of his traditions,' said Honor, 'hand them on to
Robert. I wish nothing better for Owen.'

Mr. Parsons wished something better for himself, and averted a reply, by
speaking of Robert as accepted.

Robert's next request was to be made useful in the parish, while
preparing for his ordination in the autumn Ember week; and though there
were demurs as to unnecessarily anticipating the strain on health and
strength, he obtained his wish in mercy to a state only to be alleviated
by the realities of labour.

So few difficulties were started by his family, that Honora suspected
that Mr. Fulmort, always chiefly occupied by what was immediately before
him, hardly realized that by taking an assistant curacy at St. Wulstan's,
his son became one of the pastors of Whittington-streets, great and
little, Richard-courts, Cicely-row, Alice-lane, Cat-alley, and
Turnagain-corner. Scarcely, however, was this settled, when a despatch
arrived from Dublin, headed, 'The Fast Fly Fishers; or the modern St.
Kevin,' containing in Ingoldsby legend-like rhymes the entire narration
of the Glendalough predicament of the 'Fast and Fair,' and concl