ter of course,
and musical, more than as a matter of course. Percival looked up from
his letter with a sudden remembrance that Mr. Clifton was advertising
for an organist, and on his way to the office he stopped to make
inquiries at the High Church bookseller's and to post a line to
Hammond. How if this should suit Bertie Lisle? He tried hard not to
think too much about it, but the mere possibility that the bright
young fellow, with his day-dreams, his unfinished opera, his pleasant
voice and happily thoughtless talk, might come into his life gave
Percival a new interest in it. Bertie had been a favorite of his years
before, when he used to go sometimes to Mr. Lisle's. He still thought
of him as little more than a boy--the boy who used to play to him in
the twilight--and he had some trouble to realize that Bertie must be
nearly two and twenty. If he should come--But most likely he would not
come. It seemed a shame even to wish to shut up the young musician,
with his love for all that was beautiful and bright, in that grimy
town. Thorne resolved that he would not wish it, but he opened
Hammond's next letter with unusual eagerness. Godfrey said they
thought it sounded well, especially as when he named Brenthill it
appeared that the Lisles had some sort of acquaintance living there,
an old friend of their mother's, he believed, which naturally gave
them an interest in the place. Bertie had written to Mr. Clifton, who
would very shortly be in town, and had made an appointment to meet
him.

The next news came in a note from Lisle himself. On the first page
there was a pen-and-ink portrait of the incumbent of St. Sylvester's
with a nimbus, and it was elaborately dated "Festival of St. Hilary."

"It is all as good as settled," was his triumphant announcement, "and
we are in luck's way, for Judith thinks she has heard of something for
herself too. You will see from my sketch that I have had my interview
with Mr. Clifton. He is quite delighted with me. A great judge of
character, that man! He is to write to one or two references I gave
him, but they are sure to be all right, for my friends have been so
bored with me and my prospects for the last few weeks that they would
swear to my fitness for heaven if it would only send me there. I
rather think, however, that St. Sylvester's will suit me better for a
little while. His Reverence is going to look me up some pupils, and I
have bought a Churchman's almanac, and am thinking abou