and are not fit counsellors
for the hour of death. If there be any thing which can tend to her
bodily comfort that the hall can supply, send up for it. The servants
have orders. Would that any thing could be done for her spiritual
comfort; for this state is terrible to witness."

"She often asks for a priest, your worship," said the nurse. "Perhaps if
she could see one she might think better before she died."

"Alas, I doubt it," replied the visitor; "but at all events we cannot
afford her that relief. No such person can be found here."

"I don't know, Sir Philip," said the old woman, with a good deal of
hesitation; "they do say that at Carrington, there is--there is what
they call a seminary."

"You do not mean a papist college!" exclaimed the baronet, with
unfeigned surprise and consternation.

"Oh, dear, no sir," replied the nurse, "only a gentleman--a seminary--a
seminary priest, I think they call it; a papist certainly; but they say
he is a very good gentleman, all but that."

Sir Philip mused for a minute or two, and then turned to the door,
saying, "Methinks it is hard that a dying woman cannot have the
consolations of the rites of her own faith--mummery though they be. As a
magistrate, my good woman, I can give no authority in this business. You
must do as you think fit. I myself know of no priest in this
neighborhood, or I should be bound to cause his apprehension. I shall
take no notice of your word, however, and as to the rest, you must, as I
have said, act as you think fit. I did not make the laws, and I may
think them cruel. Did I make them, I would not attempt to shackle the
conscience of any one. Farewell," and passing through the door, he
remounted his horse and rode away.

It was in the early autumn time of the year, and the scene was
peculiarly lovely. I have given a slight description of it before, but I
must pause and dwell upon it once more, even as Sir Philip Hastings
paused and dwelt upon its loveliness at that moment, although he had
seen and watched it a thousand times before. He was not very impressible
by fine scenery. Like the sages of Laputa, his eyes were more frequently
turned inwards than outwards; but there was something in that landscape
which struck a chord in his heart, that is sure to vibrate easily in the
heart of every one of his countrymen.

It was peculiarly English--I might say singularly English; for I have
never seen any thing of exactly the same character anywhere e