controverting, but as confirming Christian faith, the Bible, according to Mr. Gregory, was to be referred to as the all-sufficient canon by which to regulate religious opinion and moral conduct.

CHAPTER III.

FROM Such dissertations, addressed to him by his instructor from time to time, Pierce More derived much advantage. Subjects he had before shrunk from examining into, now became the most engrossing themes for his inquiry. Often during Lady Eda's indisposition he joined Mr. Gregory out walking, and listened with profound interest to the conversations of that benevolent old man.

He was not, however, always a listener. Finding the advantage of Mr. Gregory's

advice on one subject, he availed himself of it upon many others. He spoke frankly of his monetary difficulties, though he made no disclosure of the method adopted to escape them. Hence the name of Winter never passed his lips; for he feared Mr. Gregory might think, what he himself was half inclined to suspect, that Winter's motives were not purely disinterested; and if so, that he should be the victim of them.

His intentions with respect to Lady Eda had long been observed; so that his confidence here was anticipated. Mr. Gregory cautioned him good-humouredly to beware. Lady Eda, he must remember, was very young and inexperienced, and might possibly be totally unconscious of the conquest she had made. His own impetuosity would be apt to mislead; the very simplicity of her character might deceive him. True enough, she liked him ; but he should always recollect that liking was not loving. Probably this was

the first time any attention of the kind had been paid to her; she would naturally be dazzled by it, and might find a difficulty in acting under such circumstances. The integrity of her nature would prevent her from feigning indifference; and yet her slight acquaintance with the usages of the world might induce him to mistake the warmth of her manner for more than it meant-for more, in fact, than friendship.

Pierce would not hear of the possibility of such things. He was louder than ever in setting forth her remarkable qualities, and insisted that her behaviour was a positive proof of her interest.

Mr. Gregory admitted that Pierce ought to know best; but if he would take the advice of an old man, he would wait at all events for another six months; at the end of which time, if things prospered, he might renew his suit with propriety.

More's agitation increased as the term of

his visit drew towards a close. Lady Eda was rapidly recovering from the effects of her sprain; she could not yet walk about out of doors; but with the help of a stick was almost as active as ever within. For a certain portion of the day Lord Longvale insisted on her keeping quiet, and obliged her, much against her will, to lie upon the sofa; where she declared she was fidgeted to death, because she could neither play, nor work, nor sleep.

On these occasions Pierce had many opportunities for quiet chats; the dangerous effects of which he was fully sensible of, but never had sufficient strength of mind to avoid. Sir Andrew had by this time sneaked off; and Arthur Longvale even had retired from a field, where there was room but for one conqueror. Often, More would relate the stirring incidents of his travels, colouring the scenes with the graphic touches of an artist. Often, he would amuse his