leman of a clear estate, and neither
disagreeable in his person or manner, on the single avowed ground of his
loose principles; when the noble rejection of the daughter was supported
by the parents, whose principles no arguments drawn from rank or fortune
could subvert or shake--I was _convinced_.

"These, and some other instances of the same nature, were exactly the
test I had been seeking. Here was _disinterestedness_ upon full proof.
Here was _consistency_ between practice and profession. By such
examples, and by cordially adopting those principles which produced
them, together with a daily increasing sense of my past enormities, I
hope to become in time less unworthy of the wife to whom I owe my peace
on earth, and my hope in heaven."

The tears which had been collecting in Mrs. Carlton's eyes for some
time, now silently stole down her cheeks. Sir John and myself were
deeply affected with the frank and honest narrative to which we had been
listening. It raised in us an esteem and affection for the narrator
which has since been continually augmenting. I do not think the worse of
his state, for the difficulties which impeded it, nor that his
advancement will be less sure, because it has been gradual. His fear of
delusion has been a salutary guard. The apparent slowness of his
progress has arisen from his dread of self-deception, and the diligence
of his search is an indication of his sincerity.

"But did you not find," said I, "that the piety of these more correct
Christians drew upon them nearly as much censure and suspicion as the
indiscretion of the enthusiasts? and that the formal class who were
nearly as far removed from effective piety, as from wild fanaticism,
ran away with all the credit of religion?'"

"With those," replied Mr. Carlton, "who are on the watch to discredit
Christianity, no consistency can stand their determined opposition; but
the fair and candid inquirer will not reject the truth, when it forces
the truth on the mind with a clear and convincing evidence."

Though I had been joining in the general subject, yet my thoughts had
wandered from it to Lucilla ever since her noble rejection of Lord
Staunton had been named by Mr. Carlton as one of the causes which had
strengthened his unsteady faith. And while he and Sir John were talking
over their youthful connections, I resumed with Mrs. Carlton, who sat
next me, the interesting topic.

"Lord Staunton," said she, "is a relation, and not a very