few moments succeeded, when they found themselves joined
by other parties, until the cortege was swollen in number to the goodly
dimensions of a cavalcade or caravan designed for a pilgrimage.

"Report speaks favorably of the preacher we are to hear to-day, Miss
Munro--have you ever heard him?" was the inquiry of the youth.

"I have, sir, frequently, and have at all times been much pleased and
sometimes affected by his preaching. There are few persons I would more
desire to hear than himself--he does not offend your ears, nor assail
your understanding by unmeaning thunders. His matter and manner, alike,
are distinguished by modest good sense, a gentle and dignified ease and
spirit, and a pleasing earnestness in his object that is never
offensive. I think, sir, you will like him."

"Your opinion of him will certainly not diminish my attention, I assure
you, to what he says," was the reply.

At this moment the cavalcade was overtaken and joined by Rivers and
Munro, together with several other villagers. Ralph now taking advantage
of a suggestion of Forrester's, previously made--who proposed, as there
would be time enough, a circuitous and pleasant ride through a
neighboring valley--avoided the necessity of being in the company of one
with respect to whom he had determined upon a course of the most jealous
precaution. Turning their horses' heads, therefore, in the proposed
direction, the two left the procession, and saw no more of the party
until their common arrival at the secluded grove--druidically conceived
for the present purpose--in which the teacher of a faith as simple as it
was pleasant was already preparing to address them.

The venerable oaks--a goodly and thickly clustering assemblage--forming
a circle around, and midway upon a hill of gradual ascent, had left an
opening in the centre, concealed from the eye except when fairly
penetrated by the spectator. Their branches, in most part meeting above,
afforded a roof less regular and gaudy, indeed, but far more grand,
majestic, and we may add, becoming, for purposes like the present, than
the dim and decorated cathedral, the workmanship of human hands. Its
application to this use, at this time, recalled forcibly to the mind of
the youth the forms and features of that primitive worship, when the
trees bent with gentle murmurs above the heads of the rapt worshippers,
and a visible Deity dwelt in the shadowed valleys, and whispered an
auspicious acceptance of th