ious horror, "that is rank
latitudinarianism!"

"Latitudinarianism or not, Mawley," said the vicar, "it is the
Christianity and doctrine that earnest thinkers like Kingsley and
Maurice preach and practise. If we could only all act up to it--all act
up to it!"

"Then, I suppose," said Mr Mawley, "that you agree with the writers of
_Essays and Reviews_?"

"Suppose nothing, my dear Mawley," said the vicar, kindly but seriously,
"except what you have facts to vouch for. I do not say I agree with
them or not."

"And do you think the hare chewed the cud, as Colenso says?" asked Baby
Blake, with such a serious face that we could not help laughing at her.

"Proximus ille deo est qui scit ratione tacere!" said the vicar, putting
on his hat and moving towards the door.

"And what does that mean, brother?" asked Miss Pimpernell.

"My dear, it is only Dionysius Cato's original Latin for our old English
proverb, `A silent tongue shows a wise head!'" said the vicar; and he
then went out to attend to his parish duties, promising to look in upon
us again, and see how we were getting on before we separated for the
day.

On his departure, our conversation veered round to local chit-chat.

"Have you heard the news about The Terrace yet, Frank?" asked Miss
Pimpernell.

"No," I said. "What is it?"

"Number sixty-five is let at last!"

"Indeed," said I; "how pleased old Shuffler must be, for the house has
hung a long time on his hands. Who are the people that have taken it?"

"A widow lady and her daughter. Their name is Clyde, and they have a
good deal of money, I believe," said Bessie Dasher.

"Bai-ey Je-ove!" exclaimed Horner. "I say, old fellah, p'waps they ah
those ladies in hawf-mawning, ah?"

"Dear me! this is quite interesting," said Miss Spight. "Do let me know
what the joke is about ladies in half-mourning, Mr Lorton--something
romantic, I've no doubt." She was always keen to scent out what might
be disagreeable to other people, was Miss Spight!

"Oh, it's only Horner's nonsense!" said I. "But what are these Clydes
like?"

"Very nice, indeed!" said Miss Pimpernell. "The mother is extremely
well-bred and ladylike, and the daughter Minnie--such a pretty name,
Frank--is quite a little darling. I'm positively in love with her, and
I'm sure you will like her. They are very nice people indeed, my boy,
and thorough acquisitions to our little society."

"I only hope so, Miss Pimpernell," sighed Lady Dash