heck her pride." The
annoying impertinence, so frequent in argument, which leads a man to
speak as though, from the vantage-ground of great intellectual
superiority to his opponent, the graceful affectation of dropping an
argument out of respect for prejudices which the arguer despises, or an
incapacity which the arguer implies--this merely personal consideration
did not ruffle for a moment the gentle spirit of De Vayne. But that a
young man--conceited, shallow, and ignorant--should profess to settle
with a word the controversies which had agitated the profoundest
reasons, and to settle with a sneer, the mysteries before which the
mightiest thinkers had veiled their eyes in reverence and awe; that he
should profess to set aside Christianity as a childish fable not worthy
a wise man's acceptance, and triumph over it as a defeated and deserted
cause; this indeed filled De Vayne's mind with sorrow and disgust. So
far from being impressed or dazzled by Bruce's would-be cleverness, he
sincerely grieved over his impudence and folly.

"Thank you, Bruce," he said, after a slight pause, and with some
dignity, "thank you for your kind consideration of my mental
inferiority, and for the pitying regard which you throw, from beside
your nectar, on my delicate and trembling superstitions. But don't
think, Bruce, that I admit your--may I call it?--impertinent assumption
that all thinking men have thrown Christianity aside as an exploded
error. Some shadow of proof, some fragment of reason, would be more
satisfactory treatment of a truth which has regenerated the world, than
foolish assertion or insolent contempt. Good-night."

There was something in the manner of De Vayne's reproof which
effectually quelled Bruce, while it galled him; yet, at the same time,
it was delivered with such quiet good taste, that to resent it was
impossible. He saw, too, not without vexation, that it had told
powerfully on the little knot of auditors. The wine-party soon broke
up, for Bruce could neither give new life to the conversation, nor
recover his chagrin.

"So-ho!" said Brogten, when they were left alone, "I shall win my bet."

"Hanged if you shall," said Bruce, with an oath of vexation. In fact,
not only was he determined not to be foiled in proving his wisdom and
power of reading men's characters, but he was wholly unable to afford
any payment of the bet. Bruce could get unlimited credit for goods, on
the reputation of his father's we