ith me," said James.

"I did not come for that purpose, Captain Parsons."

"Oh, I forgot--home-truths, wasn't it? I was thinking of Shakespeare and
the musical glasses!"

"Would you kindly remember that I am a clergyman's wife, Captain
Parsons? I daresay you are not used to the society of such."

"Pardon me, I even know an archdeacon quite well. He has a great gift of
humour; a man wants it when he wears a silk apron."

"Captain Parsons," said Mrs. Jackson, sternly, "there are some things
over which it is unbecoming to jest. I wish to be as gentle as possible
with you, but I may remind you that flippancy is not the best course for
you to pursue."

James looked at her with a good-tempered stare.

"Upon my word," he said to himself, "I never knew I was so patient."

"I can't beat about the bush any longer," continued the Vicar's lady; "I
have a very painful duty to perform."

"That quite excuses your hesitation."

"You must guess why I have asked to see you alone."

"I haven't the least idea."

"Does your conscience say nothing to you?"

"My conscience is very well-bred. It never says unpleasant things."

"Then I'm sincerely sorry for you."

James smiled.

"Oh, my good woman," he thought, "if you only knew what a troublesome
spirit I carry about with me!"

But Mrs. Jackson saw only hardness of heart in the grave face; she never
dreamed that behind those quiet eyes was a turmoil of discordant
passions, tearing, rending, burning.

"I'm sorry for you," she repeated. "I think it's very sad, very sad
indeed, that you should stand there and boast of the sluggishness of
your conscience. Conscience is the voice of God, Captain Parsons; if it
does not speak to you, it behoves others to speak in its place."

"And supposing I knew what you wanted to say, do you think I should like
to hear?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Then don't you think discretion points to silence?"

"No, Captain Parsons. There are some things which one is morally bound
to say, however distasteful they may be."

"The easiest way to get through life is to say pleasant things on all
possible occasions."

"That is not my way, and that is not the right way."

"I think it rash to conclude that a course is right merely because it is
difficult. Likewise an uncivil speech is not necessarily a true one."

"I repeat that I did not come here to bandy words with you."

"My dear Mrs. Jackson, I have been wondering why you did not come to the
point