Abberley was more silent: perhaps he was contrasting his father's conduct, as occupier of what was once holy ground, with that of Sir John, the founder of another temple for the glory of GoD. The papers were still on the table, and the discussion on their merits not yet finished, when in the yet unfaded twilight, a servant was seen riding up the park at a quick pace.

"The Donnington livery," said Robert Morley, looking up carelessly. "What can the Earl have to say to us?"

"O, some invitation to dinner, I suppose," said his father. "I think, then, I may just mention these few alterations to Mr. Wykeham, and tell him that they are all made in deference to his better judgment."

"I think," said Robert, "that the effect of the roof would be better if the space between the ridge and the intersection of the collar braces were a little greater. What say you, too, to a shield, sculptured with different symbols; such as the instruments of crucifixion, a Holy Lamb, and so forth, at the end of the hammer beams."

A servant here entered with a letter for George Morley, and "No answer, sir."

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Capital idea that, Robert;" said his father: "you may as well write the letter as myself, and then you can explain the matter. One thing I mean to be particular about; we will have a sufficient

variety of designs in the seating: I object exceedingly to seeing a whole series of stall ends carved in one device, as if their designer had but one idea."

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'And that one," added Robert, "like Dr. Johnson's friend's, a wrong one."

"This is perfectly incomprehensible," cried George Morley. "I never spoke to the Earl of Donnington above twice or three times in my life."

"What is it, George?" said Robert.
"Read that letter,” replied his brother.

"What, read aloud?" inquired Robert? And being answered in the affirmative, he read as follows:

"Dear Sir,

"Donnington Park, June 19, 183—.

"The living of Studham, which is in my gift, is just vacant by the resignation of Mr. Fortescue. am exceedingly desirous that a parish of such extent and importance should be favoured with efficient pastoral superintendence; and am therefore induced, though the value of the incumbency is, I regret to say, comparatively small, to offer it to your acceptance, should you be disposed to undertake so laborious a post of duty.

"Circumstances render me desirous of receiving an answer as to your determination at your earliest convenience. I therefore dispatch a servant this evening, in order to expedite, as much as possible, your reply.

"With my best compliments to Sir John Morley,

and to your family,

"I remain, dear Sir,

"Your very faithful servant,

"DONNINGTON."

"Well, George," said Sir John Morley, "I shall not pretend to offer my advice one way or the other. Remember only the importance of a decision which may probably fix you for life: and do not decide hastily."

"But, my dear father," said George, "this really comes so very suddenly, that I wish you would just give me your ideas on the subject. I never like to trust to my own judgment when I can have betterwhy should I?"

"What can I tell you, but what you know already? Though you have had some experience in parish duty, you should remember that you are very young --that Studham is a sphere of particular difficulty— and that you will find the parish in a sadly neglected state-and the people, I fear, self-willed and unmanageable. On the other hand, an invitation like this is to be looked on, unless there are any very cogent reasons to the contrary, as a call of Providence. If the post is one of peculiar difficulty, so it is also of peculiar usefulness; and, it seems to me, one where labour will not be thrown away: pecuniary considerations are, of course, entirely secondary; and,

in that point of view, the offer has neither recommendations nor the contrary. Studham is, it is true, of greater value than Teynton: but then you must necessarily keep a curate, and that will pretty nearly, I fancy, equalize them. Thus you have the reasons which immediately occur to me, both pro and

con."

"I hope, George," said Lady Morley, "you will not think of taking any post of duty which you are not confident that you have strength enough to retain. You could not bear to do your work imperfectly; and I could not bear that it should be done at any expense of health and strength, which you have no right to sacrifice."

"Well, George," cried Robert, "if I were you, I would make no more words about it, but take it at once. My father's reasons pro seem to me vastly superior to his arguments con."

"And if you are somewhat young," added his sister, "to take charge of so large a place, was it not Hooker who told Jewel, that this was a fault which would mend every day?"

"Well, George," said Charles Abberley, "I will wish you joy of your new living; for I am sure you can never stand out against so many good arguments."

"I will not make up my mind till to-morrow," replied his friend: "but I think then it will be fair to give the Earl of Donnington an answer one way or the other.”

The morning came; the living was accepted; the patron suitably thanked; the new Rector congratulated, presented, instituted, inducted, settled, furnished with a curate and by the time that September had brought the lanes and hedges of Monk Teynton into their full beauty, the change was no longer felt as a novelty. Studham was only five miles distant from Teynton; but such was the press of business in which the new Rector found himself involved, that for the first three months, he scarcely spent one night in Teynton Park, confining himself to hasty visits in the day. Sir John at first heard the most astonishing accounts of his son's popularity; every one spoke of the golden opinions which he had won, and of the success which attended all his operations.

"Well! to be sure!" Mrs. Laxington would say ; "it's perfectly astonishing to me what Mr. Morley contrives to get through. I hear of him here, and there, and everywhere; whatever good's done, he does it: Mr. Dixon tells me that there never was a minister so much liked there: he was attending Mrs. Warren last week-you know Mrs. Warren, Lady Morley, don't you? No? I thought everybody did: she was the widow of Mr. Smith, the great tallowchandler, and the most notable woman in her time—a little laid up now, Dixon tells me, with the rheumatism; has never been quite free from it since the great musical festival-sitting in a draught—and by the bye, Sir John, what a dangerous thing a draught