istant; but the unobtrusive services of Mr. Ives were not less
welcome to the pastor than to his parishioners.

Employed in the duties which of right fell to the incumbent, and intrusted
with the spiritual guardianship of the dependants of the castle, our young
clergyman had ample occupation for all his time, if not a sufficient
theatre for his usefulness. Isabel and himself remained the year round in
Wales, and the first dawnings of education received by Lord Lumley were
those he acquired conjointly with Francis from the care of the latter's
father. They formed, with the interval of the time spent by Mr. Denbigh
and Lady Pendennyss in town in winter, but one family. To the gentleman,
the attachment of the grateful Ives was as strong as it was lasting. Mrs.
Ives never ceased to consider him as a self-devoted victim to her
happiness; and although a far more brilliant lot had awaited him by the
change, yet her own husband could not think it a more happy one.

The birth of Lady Marian had already, in its consequences, begun, to throw
a gloom round the domestic comforts of Denbigh, when he was to sustain
another misfortune in a separation from his friends.

Mr., now Dr. Ives, had early announced his firm intention, whenever an
opportunity was afforded him, to enter into the fullest functions of his
ministry, as a matter of duty. Such an opportunity now offered at B----,
and the doctor became its rector about the period Sir Edward became
possessor of his paternal estate.

Denbigh tried every inducement within his power to keep the doctor in his
own society. If as many thousands as his living would give him hundreds
could effect it, they would have been at his service; but Denbigh
understood the character of the divine too well to offer such an
inducement: he however urged the claims of friendship to the utmost, but
without success. The doctor acknowledged the hold both himself and family
had gained upon his affections, but he added--

"Consider, my dear Mr. Denbigh, what we would have thought of one of the
earlier followers of our Saviour, who from motives of convenience or
worldly-mindedness could have deserted his sacred calling. Although the
changes in the times may have rendered the modes of conducting them
different, necessarily the duties remain the same. The minister of our
holy religion who has once submitted to the call of his divine Master,
must allow nothing but ungovernable necessity to turn him from the path