l thick upon their
heads, and for the light of spiritual life to enter into their hearts.
His whole soul seemed to go up in that strong and radiant flood of
prayer.

When he ceased, Mr. Royden might have been seen to pause and wipe his
eyes, before he knocked at the door. Father Brighthopes opened with
alacrity. His face was glowing with unearthly joy, and there was a
brightness in his eyes Mr. Royden had never observed before.

XIII.

TALK BY THE WAY.

It was another lovely day,--sunny, breezy, and not too warm for comfort.
As Mr. Royden and the old clergyman rode along together, the former
said,

"You seem to have brought the most delightful weather with you, Father.
Everything bright in nature seems to be attracted by you."

"There is more philosophy at the bottom of your remark than you dream
of," replied the old man. "Your words cannot be interpreted literally;
but the attraction you allude to is real, if not actual."

"I do not understand you."

"I mean a bright spirit sees everything in nature bright; it has an
affinity for sunny colors. On the other hand,

'He who hides a dark soul and foul thoughts
Benighted walks beneath the noonday sun.'

A gloomy heart sees gloom in everything. Truly Milton has said,

'The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make of heaven a hell, of hell a heaven.'

The principle holds universally, notwithstanding apparent contradictions
and exceptions in various instances. I have seen more pure and perfect
happiness, nestled in poverty, in a laborer's cottage, than I ever met
with in the houses of the rich."

"Then the fault lies with me," said Mr. Royden, thoughtfully, "whenever
my home appears less agreeable and attractive than it might, I suppose."

"In a great measure, the fault is yours, undoubtedly. Do you not think
that an established habit of preserving a serene temper, in the midst of
the most trying scenes, would produce blessed results?"

"But the power is not in me."

"It is in every man," said Father Brighthopes. "Only exercise it."

"You can have no conception of what I have had to go through," replied
Mr. Royden, gloomily. "Everything has conspired to ruin my disposition.
My nature has been soured; I could not help it. I have become irritable,
and the least thing moves me."

The old man expressed so much sympathy, and spoke so encouragingly, that
Mr. Royden continued,

"You remember me, I suppose, an ambitious, warm,