don't suppose he is at home," said the lady. "You have been at the
office?"

"Yes, and I was assured he was here. I was anxious to see him at once.
I suspect I have a very heavy case on my hands, Mrs. Prency. What do
you suppose I have agreed to do? I have promised, actually promised, to
persuade him to come down to the church this evening and take part in
the meetings."

Eleanor, who had just reseated herself, flashed an indignant look at
him. The young man saw it; but if the spirit of regeneration had worked
upon him to a sufficient extent to make him properly sensitive to the
looks and manners of estimable young women, he showed no sign of it at
the moment.

"I am sure I wish you well in your effort," said the judge's wife;
"and, if it is of any comfort to you, I promise that I will do all in
my power to assist you."

Then Eleanor's eyes flashed again, as she said,--

"Mother, the idea of father--"

"Well?"

"The idea of father taking part in such work!"

"Do you know of any one, daughter, whose character more fully justifies
him in doing so? If you do, I shall not hesitate to ask Mr. Bartram to
act as substitute until some one else can be found."

Then Eleanor's eyes took a very different expression, and she began to
devote herself intensely to her sewing.

"If you are very sure," said Bartram, "that your husband is not at
home, I must seek him elsewhere, I suppose. Good day! Ah, I beg pardon.
I did not notice--I was not aware that it was you, Miss Kimper. I hope
if you see your father to-day you will tell him that the good work that
he began is progressing finely, and that you saw me in search to-day of
Judge Prency to help him on with his efforts down at the church."

And then, with another bow, Bartram left the room.

If poor Jane could have been conscious of the look that Eleanor bent
upon her at that instant, she certainly would have been inclined to
leave the room and never enter it again. But she knew nothing of it,
and the work went on amid oppressive silence. Mrs. Prency had occasion
to leave the room for an instant soon after, and Jane lifted her head
and said,--

"Who would have thought, Miss, that that young man was going to be so
good, and all of a sudden, too?"

"He always was good," said Eleanor, "that is, until now."

"I'm sorry I mentioned it, ma'am, but I s'pose he won't be as wild as
he and some of the young men about this town have been."

"What do you mean by wild? Do you me