seem
Shivered at once like a broken dream
And our hearts to reel
Like ships that feel
A sharp rock grating against their keel.--C. F. A.

It was high summer; and in spite of cholera-averting thunderstorms, the
close streets and the odour of the Thames were becoming insufferable.
Mr. Parsons arranged a series of breathing times for his clerical staff,
but could make Robert Fulmort accept none. He was strong and healthy,
ravenous of work, impervious to disgusts, and rejected holidays as
burdensome and hateful. Where should he go? What could he do? What
would become of his wild scholars without him, and who would superintend
his buildings?

Mr. Parsons was fain to let him have his own way, as had happened in some
previous instances, specially the edifice in Cicely Row, where the
incumbent would have paused, but the curate rushed on with resolute zeal
and impetuosity, taking measures so decidedly ere his intentions were
revealed, that neither remonstrance nor prevention were easy, and a
species of annoyed, doubtful admiration alone was possible. It was
sometimes a gratifying reflection to the vicar, that when the buildings
were finished, Whittingtonia would become a district, and its busy curate
be no longer under his jurisdiction.

Meantime Robert was left with a companion in priest's orders, but newer
to the parish than himself, to conduct the services at St. Wulstan's,
while the other curates were taking holiday, and the vicar at his son's
country-house. To see how contentedly, nay, pleasurably, 'Fulmort'
endured perpetual broiling, passing from frying school to grilling
pavement, and seething human hive, was constant edification to his
colleague, who, fresh from the calm university, felt such a life to be a
slow martyrdom, and wished his liking for the deacon were in better
proportion to his esteem.

'A child to be baptized at 8, Little Whittington-street,' he said, with
resigned despair, as at the vestry door he received a message from a
small maid, one afternoon, when the air looked lucid yellow with sultry
fire.

'I'll go,' replied Robert, with the alacrity that sometimes almost
irritated his fellows; and off he sped, with alert steps, at which his
friend gazed with the sensation of watching a salamander.

Little Whittington-street, where it was not warehouses, was chiefly
occupied by small tradesfolk, or by lodging-houses for the numerous
'young men' employed in the City. It was