Greenleaf, gravely, "there must be something in it that
I don't see, or you will most assuredly be disappointed. It is by no
means impossible that I may have my wish, men of humbler powers than
mine--I may say it without vanity--have risen higher than to the
Congress of our country. I don't look upon mine as by any means a
hopeless ambition. But the idea of your ever seeing all the crooked
natures in Merleville made straight! Well, to say the least, I don't
see how you can be very sanguine about it."

"Well, I don't say that even that is beyond my ambition, or beyond the
power of Him whom I serve to accomplish. But though I may never see
this, or the half of this accomplished, it does not follow that I am to
be disappointed, more than it follows that your happiness will be
secured when you sit in the Congress of this great nation, or rule in
the White House even, which is not beyond your ambition either, I
suppose. You know how a promise may be `kept to the ear and broken to
the heart,' as somebody says."

"I know it is the fashion to speak in that way. We learn, in our school
books, all about the folly of ambition, and the unsatisfying nature of
political greatness. But even if the attainment must disappoint, there
is interest and excitement in the pursuit. And, if you will allow me to
say so, it is not so in your case, and to me the disappointment seems
even more certain."

Mr Elliott smiled.

"I suppose the converse of the poet's sad declaration may be true. The
promise may be broken to the eye and ear, and yet fulfilled divinely to
the heart. I am not afraid."

"And, certainly," thought the young man, "he looks calm and hopeful
enough."

"And," added Mr Elliott, "as to the interest of the pursuit, if that is
to be judged by the importance of the end to be attained, I think mine
may well bear comparison to yours."

"Yes, in one sense, I suppose--though I don't understand it. I can
imagine an interest most intense, an engagement--a happiness altogether
absorbing in such a labour of love, but--I was not looking at the matter
from your point of view."

"But from no other point of view can the subject be fairly seen," said
Mr Elliott, quietly.

"Well, I have known few, even among clergymen, who have not had their
eyes turned pretty frequently to another side of the matter. One ought
to be altogether above the necessity of thinking of earthly things, to
be able to enjoy throwing himself wholly int