they were paying about
14 per cent. then--you can get them tolerably cheap now) to have been
able to sink into his shoes on the spot; indeed these were almost large
enough to form convenient places of refuge. It had a very bad effect on
him: he never again unbosomed himself on any subject to man, woman, or
child. Even in his last illness--though he must have had one or two
troublesome things on his mind, unless he had peculiar ideas, as to the
propriety of ruining widows and orphans--he declined to commit himself,

But locked the secret in his breast,
And died in silence, unconfessed.

On that Saturday night, to one of the party at all events, Mr.
Fullarton's presence was very welcome. Mrs. Danvers was somewhat of a
hard drinker in theology, and, like other intemperate people, was not
over particular as to the quality of the liquors set before her,
provided only that they were hot and strong, and unstinted. The
succulent and highly-flavored eloquence to which she was listening
suited her palate exactly, besides which, the chaplain's peculiar
opinions happened to coincide perfectly with her own. As the evening
progressed she got more and more exhilarated; and at length could not
forbear intimating "how sincerely she valued the privilege of sitting
under so eminent a divine."

The latter made a scientific little bow, elaborated evidently by long
practice, expressive at once of gratification and humility.

"A privilege, if such it be, dear Mrs. Danvers, that some of my
congregation estimate but very lightly. You would hardly believe how
many members of my flock I scarcely know, except by name. It is a sore
temptation to discouragement. I fear that Major Keene's pernicious
example is indeed contagious, and that his evil communications have
corrupted many--alas! too many." He rounded off the period with a
ponderous professional sigh.

Miss Tresilyan was leaning back in her arm-chair: as the wood-fire
sprang up brightly and sank again suddenly, her great deep eyes seemed
to flash back the fitful gleams. It was long since she had spoken. In
truth, she had been drawing largely upon her piety at first, to make
herself feel interested, and, when this failed, upon her courtesy, to
appear so; but she was conscious of relapses more and more frequent into
the dreary regions of Boredom. Every body _would_ agree with every body
else so completely! A bold contradiction, a stinging sarcasm, or a
caustic retort, would have been