Year: 1870

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see in her face what kind of thoughts
and purposes were in her heart. She
was used to quarrelling or, to speak
more strictly, she was used to entertain
ing hard feelings towards others; but
she had never learned to express her
bitter sentiments frankly. Unable to
destroy them, she had felt herself bound
in general not to utter them, and this
non ~utterance had grown to be one Of
her despotic and distressing 'duties. +"
Nothing could break through her shy
ness, her reserve, her habit of silence,
but an emotion which amounted to pas
sion, and such an emotion she was not
only unable to conceal, but she was also
unable to exhibit it either nobly or grace
fully; it shone all through her, and it
made her seem spiteful.


AS she was about TO speak, however,
a glance at Bessie's anxious face check
ed her. After her painful, severe fash
ion, she really loved the girl, and she
did not want to load her with any more
sorrow than was strictly necessary.
Moreover, the surely worthy thought
occurred to her that Heaven might fa-
vor one last effort to convert this wrong
minded man into one who could be
safely intrusted with the welfare of her
niece and the management of her mon
ey. Hailing the suggestion, in accord
ance with her usual exaltation of faith,
as an indication from the sublimest of
all authority, she entered upon her task
with such power as nature had given
her and such sweetness as a shattered
nervous system lett her.


"Mr. Foster, there's one thing l
greatly desire to see," she began in a
hurried, tremulous tone. 81 want you
10 come out from among the Indifferent
an join yourself to as. Why don't you
do it? Why don't you become pro-
fessor ?"


Foster was even more surprised and
dismayed than most men are when thus
addressed. Here was all appeal such
as all of us must listen to with respect,
not only because it represents the opin-
ions Of vast and justly reVered por-
tion of civilized humanity, but because
it concerns the highest mysteries and
possibilities of which humanity is cog
nzant. AS one who valued himself on
being both philosopher and gentle
man, he would have felt bound to treat
any one courteously who thus appealed
to him. But there was more; this ap-
peal evidently alluded to his intentions
of marriage; it was connected with the
threat of disinheritan which he had
overheard on entering the house. Ifhe
would promise to "join the church." if
he would even only appear to take the
step into favorable consideration, he
could remove the objections of this
earnest woman to his betrOthal, and Sc
cure her property to his future wife.
But Foster could not do what policy
demanded he had his "henest doubts"
and he could not remove them by an ex-
ercise of will moreover, he was too
self. respectful and honorable to be a
hypocrite. After ponderiug Aunt Mer-
cy's question for a moment, he answer
ed with dignity Of soul which was not
appreciated =


II should have no objection to what
you propose, If it would not be misun-
derstood. If it would only mean that
l believe in God, and that | worship
His power and goodness, would oblige
you. But it would be received as
meaning more, -as meaning that | &C.
cept doctrines which am still examin.
ing,-as meaning that take upon my
self obligations which do not yet hold
binding"


Don't you believe in the God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob 7" demand
ed Miss Mercy striking home with tell
ing distinctness.


Il believe in a Deity who views his
whole universe with equal love. | be-
lieve in Deity greater than always
hear preached.


Miss Mercy was puzEled for while
this confession of faith did not quite
tally with what she was accustomed to
receive from pulpits, there was about
it largeness of religious perception
which slightly excited her awe. New
erless, it showed a dangerous vague
ness, and she decided to demand some
thing more explicit.


"What are your opinions on the in
spiration of the Scriptures" she asked.


He had been reading Colenso's work
on Genesis; and, SO far as he could
Judge the Bishops premises, he agreed
with his conclusions. At the same
time he was aware that such an exege-
sis would seem simple heresy to Miss
Mercy, and that whoever held it would
be condemned by her as heathen and
an infdel. After moments hesita-
ton, he responded bravely and honest
ly, though with placating smile.


"Miss Lauson, there are some sub
ects, indeed there are many subjects, on
which have no fixed opinions. used
to have opinions on almost everything
but l found them very troublesome, l
had to change them so often! have
decided not to declare any more posi-
tive opinions, but only entertain sup
positions to the effect that this or that
may be the case meantime holding my
self ready to change my hypothesis on
further evidence"


Although he seemed to her guilty Of
ahuflin0 awav from her uuestion. vet