s.

He then read the second letter. It was short. He got up, sat down, got
up again, gave the letter to his father, and said,--

'It is too much! I do not deserve it! I wish it were Jones instead of
me. He is much better--more suited--married. I cannot believe it!'

Neither could Mr Prothero, to judge from the expression of his face. He
read each letter twice over, and seemed struggling with some great
emotion as he ejaculated, 'Rowland, my boy!' and burst into tears.

Mr Prothero had not cried before since Netta's death, and those were,
indeed, precious tears.

Minette, terrified at seeing her grandfather cry, ran off in search of
Gladys, who had been every one's refuge since her marriage.

She and Owen were at the front door, receiving Mr and Mrs Jonathan
Prothero, who had just arrived.

'Aunty, grandfather is crying,' said the child. 'You said you wished he
would cry; but I don't like it. I think he is crying for poor mamma, who
is in heaven, and can't come to him.'

All hurried into the parlour.

They found Mr Prothero holding one of his son's hands, and shaking it
nervously, and Mrs Prothero holding the other, and vain attempts to
speak.

'Brother Jo! sister-in-law! Just in time. If our Netta was but here!'
said Mr Prothero. 'Mrs Jonathan shall read the letters. It was she who
got him the curacy.'

Mrs Jonathan was not a little surprised to be greeted by having two
letters thrust into her hands, and being requested to read them.

'This one first, sister-in-law.'

At any other time Mrs Jonathan would have resented the epithet of
sister-in-law, but she now swallowed it, and began to read as follows:--

'MY DEAR ROWLAND,--I should have written to you earlier, but I
could not do so until a question that has been pending ever since
you left was decided. Deputations and round-robins have been
issuing from this parish by unanimous consent, and tending to St
James'. For once High Church and Low Church have united in paying
you the greatest compliment you can have paid just at present,
viz., in requesting the bishop to give you the living of which you
have been more than ten years curate. I believe it is pretty nearly
settled that you are to be our new rector, and that I shall have to
knock under, and solicit you to continue me in the curacy. I
congratulate you from my heart; so does my wife; so, I am sure, do
rich and poor around us. There never w