s,' replied
Merton, 'or at least of such of us as are unenlightened. But to come to
business. What do you think of asking our young friend down to
lecture--on Friday week, I think you said--on the Use and Abuse of
Novels? You could easily persuade her, I dare say, to stay over
Sunday--longer if necessary--and then young Mr. Warren would at least
find out that there is more than one young woman in the world.'

'I shall be delighted to see your friend,' answered Mr. Warren. 'At
Bulcester we welcome intellect, and a real novelist of moral tendencies
would make quite a sensation in our midst.'

'They are but too scarce at present,' Merton answered--'novelists of high
moral tone.'

'She is not a Christian Scientist?' asked Mr. Warren anxiously. 'They
reject vaccination, like all other means appointed, and rely on miracles,
which ceased with the Apostolic age, being no longer necessary.'

'The lady, I can assure you, is not a Christian Scientist,' said Merton
'but comes of an Evangelical family. Shall I give you her address? In
my opinion it would be best to write to her from Bulcester, on the
official paper of the Literary Society.' For Merton wished to acquaint
Miss Martin with the nature of her mission, lecturing being an art which
she had never cultivated.

'There is just one thing,' remarked Mr. Warren hesitatingly. 'This young
lady, if our James lets his affections loose on her--how would _that_ be,
sir?'

Merton smiled.

'Why, no great harm would be done, Mr. Warren. You need not fear any
complication: any new matrimonial difficulty. The affection would be all
on one side, and that side would not be the lady lecturer's. I happen to
know that she has a prior attachment.'

'Vaccinated!' cried Mr. Warren, letting a laugh out of him.

'Exactly,' said Merton.

Mr. Warren now gladly concurred in the plan of his adviser, after which
the interview was concerned with financial details. Merton usually left
these vague, but in Mr. Warren he saw a client who would feel more
confidence if everything was put on a strictly business footing. The
client retired in a hopeful frame of mind, and Merton went to look for
Miss Martin at her club, where she was usually to be found at the hour of
tea.

He was fortunate enough to find her, dressed by no means after the style
of her portrait in _The Young Girl_, but still very well dressed. She
offered him the refreshment of tea and toast--very good toast, Merton
th