mprehended Jim's lesson, and it made an impression upon him;
but to break himself of his habit of thought and life was as difficult
as the breaking of morbid habits always is. He knew that he was a weak
man, and saw that he had never fully developed that which was manliest
within him. He saw plainly, too, that his prayers would not develop it,
and that nothing but a faithful, bold, manly use of his powers could
accomplish the result. He knew that he had a better brain, and a brain
better furnished, than that of Robert Belcher, yet he had known to his
sorrow, and well-nigh to his destruction, that Robert Belcher could wind
him around his finger. Prayer had never saved him from this, and nothing
could save him but a development of his own manhood. Was he too old for
hope? Could he break away from the delights of his weakness, and grow
into something stronger and better? Could he so change the attitude of
his soul that it should cease to be exigent and receptive, and become a
positive, self-poised, and active force? He sighed when these questions
came to him, but he felt that Jim had helped him in many practical ways,
and could help him still further.

A stranger, looking upon the group, would have found it a curious and
interesting study. Mr. Balfour was a tall, lithe man, with not a
redundant ounce of flesh on him. He was as straight as an arrow, bore on
his shoulders a fine head that gave evidence in its contour of equal
benevolence and force, and was a practical, fearless, straightforward,
true man. He enjoyed humor, and though he had a happy way of evoking it
from others, possessed or exhibited very little himself. Jim was better
than a theater to him. He spent so much of his time in the conflicts of
his profession, that in his vacations he simply opened heart and mind
to entertainment. A shrewd, frank, unsophisticated nature was a constant
feast to him, and though he was a keen sportsman, the woods would have
had few attractions without Jim.

Mr. Benedict regarded him with profound respect, as a man who possessed
the precise qualities which had been denied to himself--self-assertion,
combativeness, strong will, and "push." Even through Benedict's ample
beard, a good reader of the human face would have detected the weak
chin, while admiring the splendid brow, silken curls, and handsome eyes
above it. He was a thoroughly gentle man, and, curiously enough,
attracted the interest of Mr. Balfour in consequence of his gent