stlewood was quite
gracious when he was made acquainted with George's engagement to Miss
Lambert; came to wait upon her parents; praised George to them and the
young lady to George, and made himself so prodigiously agreeable in
their company that these charitable folk forgot his bad reputation, and
thought it must be a very wicked and scandalous world which maligned
him. He said, indeed, that he was improved in their society, as every
man must be who came into it. Among them he was witty, lively, good for
the time being. He left his wickedness and worldliness with his cloak
in the hall, and only put them on again when he stepped into his chair.
What worldling on life's voyage does not know of some such harbour of
rest and calm, some haven where he puts in out of the storm? Very likely
Lord Castlewood was actually better whilst he stayed with those good
people, and for the time being at least no hypocrite.

And, I dare say, the Lambert elders thought no worse of his lordship for
openly proclaiming his admiration for Miss Theo. It was quite genuine,
and he did not profess it was very deep.

"It don't affect my sleep, and I am not going to break my heart because
Miss Lambert prefers somebody else," he remarked. Only I wish when I was
a young man, madam, I had had the good fortune to meet with somebody so
innocent and good as your daughter. I might have been kept out of a deal
of harm's way: but innocent and good young women did not fall into mine,
or they would have made me better than I am."

"Sure, my lord, it is not too late!" says Mrs. Lambert, very softly.

Castlewood started back, misunderstanding her.

"Not too late, madam?" he inquired.

She blushed. "It is too late to court my dear daughter, my lord, but not
too late to repent. We read, 'tis never too late to do that. If others
have been received at the eleventh hour, is there any reason why you
should give up hope?"

"Perhaps I know my own heart better than you," he says in a plaintive
tone. "I can speak French and German very well, and why? because I was
taught both in the nursery. A man who learns them late can never get the
practice of them on his tongue. And so 'tis the case with goodness, I
can't learn it at my age. I can only see others practise it, and admire
them. When I am on--on the side opposite to Lazarus, will Miss Theo give
me a drop of water? Don't frown! I know I shall be there, Mrs. Lambert.
Some folks are doomed so; and I think some of ou