markable woman, an estimable woman. One scarcely knows which is the
more admirable, Miss Deborah or Miss Ruth. Which should you--ah--which do
you most admire?"

The rector turned, with one hand on the door-knob, and looked at the
lawyer, with a sudden gleam in his keen eyes. "Well, I am sure I don't
know. I never thought of comparing them. They are both, as you say,
estimable ladies."

"Oh, yes, yes, just so," said Mr. Denner hurriedly. "I only mentioned it
because--it was merely in the most general way; I--I--did not mean to
compare--oh, not at all--of course I should never discuss a lady's worth,
as it were. I spoke in confidence; I merely wondered what your opinion
might be--not"--cried Mr. Denner, bursting into a cold perspiration of
fright to see how far his embarrassment had betrayed him--"not that I
really care to know! Oh, not at all!"

The rector flung his head back, and his rollicking laugh jarred the very
papers on Mr. Denner's desk.

"It is just as well you don't, for I am sure I could not say. I respect
them both immensely. I have from boyhood," he added, with a droll look.

Mr. Denner coughed nervously.

"It is not of the slightest consequence," he explained,--"not the
slightest. I spoke thoughtlessly; ah--unadvisedly."

"Of course, of course; I understand," cried the rector, and forbore to
add a good-natured jest at Mr. Denner's embarrassment, which was really
painful.

But when he was well out of hearing, he could not restrain a series of
chuckles.

"By Jove!" he cried, clapping his thigh, "Denner!--Denner and Miss
Deborah! Bless my soul,--Denner!"

His mirth, however, did not last long; some immediate annoyances of his
own forced themselves into his mind.

Before he went to the lawyer's office, he had had a talk with Mrs. Dale,
which had not been pleasant; then a letter from Helen had come; and now
an anxious wrinkle showed itself under his fur cap, as he walked back to
the rectory.

He had gone over to show Mr. Dale a somewhat highly seasoned sketch in
"Bell's Life;" in the midst of their enjoyment of it, they were
interrupted by Mrs. Dale.

"I want to speak to you about Lois, brother. Ach! how this room smells of
smoke!" she said.

"Why, what has the child done now?" said Dr. Howe.

"You needn't say 'What has she done now?' as though I was always finding
fault," Mrs. Dale answered, "though I do try to do my Christian duty if
I see any one making a mistake."

"Adele," remarked the