"I think I can. You awakened me, sir, to a sense of my need, and I believe the Lord has supplied that need. It is difficult for me to speak. The things that lie deepest with me do not find words easily. And after all, what are words?"

They are less than nothing when weighed in the balance with deeds; but they are necessary when we have to give a reason of the hope that is in us. Go to your betrothed wife, and lay before her your determination to live for God by His grace. And get at her mind on this matter. Try to win her, and try to lead her; but be not too self-confident. Let us pray for her and for you."

And then John Newton knelt, and Cuthbert, strangely moved, bowed his knees, while petitions went up to God for him and Cicely.

It was a novel experience to Cuthbert to be alone with a man like John Newton in that upper chamber, while the prayer seemed to bring down the very Presence of the Lord, and filled his heart with a strange awe and love.

A great deal more passed between the two men which need not be written here; but Cuthbert Rollestone left the Vicarage with a resolution to speak to Cicely with all openness and sincerity, and tell her that he had pledged himself to the service of God, and could not turn back.

As Cuthbert walked towards home under the starlit skies, he felt like a man who, amidst surging

rest.

waves and troubled waters, had found a haven of The aspect of the world seemed changed to him, and the overarching sky, with its silent stars, speaking of immeasurable distance, spoke also of the nearness to him of the Love Divine which ruled that boundless universe. Cuthbert was like a man who had found his haven, and was rejoicing over it. As he was turning into the gate of Coltswood, Sam met him, lanthorn in hand.

"I came out to look for you, sir. There's company up yonder."

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Company!

Who is it?"

That is quite an unusual event.

Sarn gave a low chuckle.

"It's Mr. Crampton, sir; a relative of the master's, so Grizel says."

"Crampton - Miles Crampton ! Yes; I have heard the name. What does he want here ?"

"I don't know, sir. He came in a post-chay with a couple of horses, and he has got a sight of baggage, as if he meant to stay a year!" Sam said, with another chuckle.

"Well, he is a kinsman; and he is welcome for a week or so."

"I heard him tell the master he was come to dance at your wedding, sir. He's got a civil tongue in his head, and the master's wonderful pleased with him. When you walked off, sir, he was in one of his bad tantrums; but now

Cuthbert strode on, leaving Sam at some distance,

for few could keep up to his pace when he chose to walk at his fastest.

When he entered the hall he saw his kinsman making himself perfectly at home, as he leaned back in the large chair opposite the one usually occupied by his father, and puffed gently at a small ornamental pipe between his lips.

66

My dear fellow!" he exclaimed. "How are you Delighted to see you. Tired of town life, I thought I would rusticate a little down here. Your father has given me a hearty welcome, and, upon my soul, some choice wine-delicious aroma! As I tell him, his cellar must be well furnished

"Yes, yes; no mistake about it," said the Squire, in a thick voice. "But, Cuthbert, get up two more bottles- one of the madeira and one of the same sherry. Nutty sherry, sir, isn't it ?"

Cuthbert, who had, it must be confessed, shown anything but pleasure at his kinsman's arrival, said:

"To-morrow, father, we will get up more wine in our guest's honour; but it is getting late."

"Quite so, quite so," said Mr. Crampton. "I see you are the butler and cupbearer to Pharaoh. I am vastly amazed to find so fine a specimen of the country gentleman; upon my word I am!"

"Get up the wine! Do you hear?" thundered Mr. Rollestone. "You young fool!"

"Gently, gently, my dear uncle," said the stranger. "There is an old proverb, 'Enough is as

good as a feast.' Nay, nay, we will not force civilities from the young Squire. And for my part, I am well content with this fine rum, if I might ask for just a leetle soupçon of lemon and a lump of sugar. Humph!" he continued, leaning back and deliberately surveying Cuthbert, as he stood by the table. "Humph! The fair lady of whom I have heard is fortunate. Why, you might stand for a model of— of-let me see-not an Adonis, but a young Alcides -eh ?"

It required all Cuthbert's self-restraint to keep him from showing his disgust and resentment in a somewhat forcible fashion. To take this insulting kinsman by the shoulders and turn him out of the hall was an impulse hardly to be wondered at. But it was resisted, and Cuthbert said:

"After your journey, sir, you may be glad to go to chamber. Have you given orders that it should be prepared, father?"

your

"Get up the wine!" roared the Squire. "Yes, the room is ready, if that old idiot Grizel isn't asleep. Go and see to it yourself, and send Sam back with the wine."

Cuthbert was glad of the pretext of leaving the hall, and met, as he expected, Grizel waiting for him at the head of the staircase.

The candle she held in her hand flared and flickered, and cast the dark shadow of her bent figure on the wall of the corridor behind her.

"Oh! Master Cuthbert, here's a pretty business!

With not so much as with your leave or by your leave, this fellow comes here, ordering Sam to take up his baggage, and ordering me to unpack it, and behaving as if he was master!"

"Who is he, Grizel?" Cuthbert asked. "Can he be my father's nephew? I thought his sister left no children."

"Yes, but she did, worse luck. It seems she was too high and mighty to have much to say to the Squire after she married Captain Crampton. He ran through his money, I heard tell, and broke her heart, and left two boys. One was drownded, you remember, when you were a little boy; and the other-well, it's a pity he wasn't drownded too! He is after no good, rely on it; he has not come down here for nothing, with his airs and his finery. Lor'! the smell of musk about him is enough to make a body sick. He says he has come to your wedding. Now, how did he know you were going to be married?-that is a puzzle.'

Cuthbert had lighted another candle, and was examining the room.

There were several big trunks and boxes, and the contents of one, unpacked by Sam, showed that this unknown kinsman had what was befitting a gentleman of position. Cuthbert looked with disdain at a richly-flowered wrapper or dressing-gown, a night-cap of crimson silk with a tassel, an array of bottles of scent and soap for shaving, and two highly perfumed wigs, which were tied with thick