ou'd better see him."

"Very well."

Mr. Dryland came forward and shook hands with James in an ecclesiastical
and suave manner, trying to be dignified, as behoved a rejected lover in
the presence of his rival, and at the same time cordial, as befitted a
Christian who could bear no malice.

"Captain Parsons, you will not be unaware that I asked Miss Clibborn to
be my wife?"

"The fact was fairly generally known in the village," replied James,
trying to restrain a smile.

Mr. Dryland blushed.

"I was annoyed at the publicity which the circumstance obtained. The
worst of these little places is that people will talk."

"It was a very noble deed," said James gravely, repeating the common
opinion.

"Not at all," answered the curate, with characteristic modesty. "But
since it was not to be, since Miss Clibborn's choice has fallen on you,
I think it my duty to inform you of my hearty goodwill. I wish, in
short, to offer you again my sincerest congratulations."

"I'm sure that's very kind of you."

* * *

Two days, later Mrs. Jackson called on a similar errand.

She tripped up to James and frankly held out her hand, neatly encased as
ever in a shining black kid glove.

"Captain Parsons, let us shake hands, and let bygones be bygones. You
have taken my advice, and if, in the heat of the moment, we both said
things which we regret, after all, we're only human."

"Surely, Mrs. Jackson, I was moderation itself?--even when you told me I
should infallibly go to Hell."

"You were extremely irritating," said the Vicar's lady, smiling, "but I
forgive you. After all, you paid more attention to what I said than I
expected you would."

"It must be very satisfactory for you to think that."

"You know I have no ill-feeling towards you at all. I gave you a piece
of my mind because I thought it was my duty. If you think I stepped over
the limits of--moderation, I am willing and ready to apologise."

"What a funny woman you are!" said James, looking at her with a
good-humoured, but rather astonished smile.

"I'm sure I don't know what makes you think so," she answered, bridling
a little.

"It never occurred to me that you honestly thought you were acting
rightly when you came and gave me a piece of your mind, as you call it.
I thought your motives were simply malicious and uncharitable."

"I have a very high ideal of my duties as a clergyman's wife."

"The human animal is very odd."

"I don't look upon myself as an