went back and forth between the two tables, bringing cups and cake and
what else was needed for this "German cotillion," as Mr. Linden called
it. During which interlude Miss Essie, after taking an observant view
of Faith, gave her a significant private admonition, that "somebody"
would not like her being there. Faith in vain endeavoured to get some
light on this dark information; Miss Essie was startling but
enigmatical, and suddenly turned from her and asked Mr. Linden "what
was the story he had promised?"

"Not much of a _story_, though I called it one. It has to do with the
way different races of fishes _wear their bones_."

"Well?" said Miss Essie, using her eyes; while Faith forgot her flushed
cheeks and used hers.

"You are perhaps aware," he said smiling, "that even fishes have their
inflexible points; in other words, a region of bone _somewhere_."

Miss Essie bowed her head, mentally ejaculating, "You have!"

"And all the fossil tribes, as well as those which now exist, are
divided into two great classes,--those which wear their bones on the
outside, and those which wear them within. The first have a perfect
plate armour--jointed and fitted and carved, piece by piece; but the
inner framework is merely cartilaginous. The others, while they _shew_
nothing but pliant flesh, have an internal structure of bone which can
outlast ages."

"Curious!" said Miss Essie, eying him all the while carefully. "Then I
suppose we are all fishes!"

"I was thinking--apropos to our talk awhile ago--of the intangible,
unseen nature of a Christian's strength. The moment his defence is worn
on the outside, that moment there is a failure of strength within. His
real armour of proof is nothing more 'rigid,' Miss Essie, than 'the
girdle of truth,' 'the breastplate of righteousness,' and 'for a helmet
the hope of salvation.'"

"Very good armour," said Miss Essie; "but can't he wear it without
being unlike other people?"

"_Can_ he?"

"Look here," said Squire Stoutenburgh, "what have you been about? If
you've been studying anatomy, Mr. Linden, I'll go learn dancing!"

And the conversation diverged.

CHAPTER XXXII.

Faith pondered probably Miss Essie's enigmatical words; but she said
nothing on the subject even to her mother. Other people's words and
looks had produced their share of disturbance at the time; disturbance
that Faith did not like to recollect. And she would not recollect it,
practically. It left no trace