d, taking advantage of his seat opposite a looking-glass to
arrange his hair.

He spoke in such a round, full voice that his shortest words carried a
sort of polysyllabic weight.

"I can't see what he has done to be so proud of," said Mrs. Jackson.
"Anyone would have done the same in his position. I'm sure it's no more
heroic than what clergymen do every day of their lives, without making
the least fuss about it."

"They say that true courage is always modest," answered Mr. Dryland.

The remark was not very apposite, but sounded damaging.

"I didn't like the way he had when he came to tea here--as if he were
dreadfully bored. I'm sure he's not so clever as all that."

"No clever man would act in an ungentlemanly way," said the curate, and
then smiled, for he thought he had unconsciously made an epigram.

"I couldn't express in words what I feel with regard to his treatment of
Mary!" cried Mrs. Jackson; and then proceeded to do so--and in many, to
boot.

They had all been a little oppressed by the greatness which, much
against his will, they had thrust upon the unfortunate James. They had
set him on a pedestal, and then were disconcerted because he towered
above their heads, and the halo with which they had surrounded him
dazzled their eyes. They had wished to make a lion of James, and his
modest resistance wounded their self-esteem; it was a relief to learn
that he was not worth making a lion of. Halo and pedestal were quickly
demolished, for the golden idol had feet of clay, and his late adorers
were ready to reproach him because he had not accepted with proper
humility the gifts he did not want. Their little vanities were comforted
by the assurance that, far from being a hero, James was, in fact,
distinctly inferior to themselves. For there is no superiority like
moral superiority. A man who stands akimbo on the top of the Ten
Commandments need bow the knee to no earthly potentate.

Little Primpton was conscious of its virtue, and did not hesitate to
condemn.

"He has lowered himself dreadfully."

"Yes, it's very sad. It only shows how necessary it is to preserve a
meek and contrite spirit in prosperity. Pride always goes before a
fall."

The Jacksons and Mr. Dryland discussed the various accounts which had
reached them. Mary and Mrs. Parsons were determinedly silent, but Mrs.
Clibborn was loquacious, and it needed little artifice to extract the
whole story from Colonel Parsons.

"One thing is unfortu