of being generous, without being imposed on.
His gifts were large and unostentatious, and
as Benford, without blazoning the donor's
merits, let it be known from what source
these valuable aids proceeded, a month had
not elapsed before kinder feelings arose
between the Castle and the town— people
smiled and touched their hats more cordially
than before, when they met his lordship as
he drove through the street ; little girls
dropped curtsies to him on the side of the
road, instead of running away when they
saw him coming ; and one young maiden wa;
even reported to have offered his lordship a
bouquet— not very valuable, as it consisted
only of a rose, six daisies and a dandelion—
and to have received a pat on the head for
it, and half-a-crown. Lord Warleigh had had
a cold every Sunday for the last year-and-a-
half of Dr. Drowes's ministrations ; but when
Benford had officiated a month or six weeks
he suddenly recovered and appeared one
Sunday in church. His lordship generally
sat in a recess opposite the pulpit, forming a
sort of family pew which might almost have
been mistaken for a parlour. It was carpeted
very comfortably, and had a stove in it, and
tables and chairs. In this retirement his
lordship performed his devotions in the manner
recorded by Mrs, Drowes— and when the
eloquent Dr. was more eloquent than usual,
he drew a heavy velvet curtain across the
front of his room, and must have been lulled
into pleasing slumbers by the subdued mumble
of the orator's discourse. On this occasion
he was observed to look with curiosity
towards the new clergyman. All through
the prayers he fixed his eyes on Benford's
face— never lifting them for a moment—
never changing a muscle— never altering his
attitude. His hair, now silver white, fell
nearly down to his shoulders, his noble
features were pale and motionless. Tall, upright,
gazing— gazing— the congregation observed
his lordship with surprise. When Benford
mounted the pulpit— when he was seen in
black gown and bands, and his clear rich
voice gave out the text, suddenly his lordship's
face underwent a strange contortion—
he rapidly drew the curtain across the pew
and was no more seen. The congregation
were sorry that their new clergyman, who
had apparently pleased the patron by his
reading, was not equally fortunate in the
sermon. The preacher, himself, was by no
means offended. He knew Lord Warleigh
was too clever a man to require any instruction
from him, and he went on as usual and
preached to the poor. In the vestry, he was
laying aside his official costume when the
door opened ; his cassock was off, his coat
was not on, he was in his shirt sleeves, and
the great man came in. Benford was
overwhelmed with confusion. He had never
spoken to a lord before— his face glowed as
if on fire. With compressed lips, and his
eyes fixed more than ever upon the discomfited
curate, the old man thanked him for
his discourse. "I am Lord Warleigh," he
said, " I have received your weekly state-
ments as I desired— they are excellent —come
to me for an hour to-morrow. I shall expect
you at eleven." Before Mr. Beuford had
recovered his composure, his lordship had
gone.

"He is very kind," said the curate, when
he related the occurrence to his wife—" but
I don't like him. His hand was like cold
iron—I felt as if it had been a sword—and
what a nuisance it is he found me in such a
dress."

But Mrs. Benford, also, had never seen
a lord, and was devoted to the aristocracy.
"His lordship is very kind, I am sure, to have
asked you to the Castle. None of the doctors
have ever been there, nor any of the
attorneys."

"That's only a proof," said Benford, a little
tickled, it must be owned, with the distinction,
"that his lordship is in good health and not
litigious; but I shall judge of him better
to-morrow."

"He has many livings in his gift," said
Mrs. Benford, thoughtfully.

"And is most liberal to the poor," chimed
in her husband.

"What a handsome man, he is! " said the
lady.

"A fine voice," said the gentleman.
"Truly aristocratic. He is descended from
Otho the Stutterer."

"And yet I don't like him. His hand is
like a sword." With which repeated
observation the colloquy ended, and Benford
proceeded to the Sunday School.

How the interview went off on the Monday
was never known. Benford was not a man of
observation, and took no notice of the peculiar
manner of his reception, the long gaze with
which Lord Warleigh seemed to study his
countenance, and the pauses which occurred
in his conversation. He was invited to return
on Tuesday; on Wednesday; and when the
fourth visit within the week was announced
to Mrs. Benford, there was no end of the
vista of wealth and dignity she foresaw from
the friendship of so powerful a patron.

"And he has asked me to bring the children
too. His lordship says he is very fond
of children."

"What a good man he is! " exclaimed the
wife. " They'll be so delighted to see the fine
things in the house."

"The girl is but three years old and the
boy one. I don't think they'll see much
difference between his lordship's house and
this. I won't take the baby."

"What? Not the baby? the beautiful
little angel! Lord Warleigh will never forgive
you for keeping him away."

But Benford was positive, and taking his
little girl by the hand he walked to the
Castle and entered the library. His lordship
was not within, and Benford drew a chair