Passing in at the iron gates, the large white house rose before him, beyond the wide lawn.  It had been built by Dr. Ashton at his own expense.  The old Rectory was a tumbledown, inconvenient place, always in dilapidation, for as soon as one part of it was repaired another fell through; and the Rector opened his heart and his purse, both large and generous, and built a new one.  Mr. Gum was making his way unannounced to the Rector’s study, according to custom, when a door on the opposite side of the hall opened, and Dr. Ashton came out.  He was a pleasant-looking man, with dark hair and eyes, his countenance one of keen intellect; and though only of middle height, there was something stately, grand, imposing in his whole appearance.

“Is that you, Jabez?”

Connected with each other for so many years—­a connection which had begun when both were young—­the Rector and Mrs. Ashton had never called him anything but Jabez.  With other people he was Gum, or Mr. Gum, or Clerk Gum:  Jabez with them.  He, Jabez, was the older man of the two by six or seven years, for the Rector was not more than forty-five.  The clerk crossed the hall, its tessellated flags gleaming under the colours thrown in by the stained windows, and entered the drawing-room, a noble apartment looking on to the lawn in front.  Mrs. Ashton, a tall, delicate-looking woman, with a gentle face, was standing before a painting just come home and hung up; to look at which the Rector and his wife had gone into the room.

It was the portrait of a sweet-looking girl with a sunny countenance.  The features were of the delicate contour of Mrs. Ashton’s; the rich brown hair, the soft brown eyes, and the intellectual expression of the face resembled the doctor’s.  Altogether, face and portrait were positively charming; one of those faces you must love at first sight, without waiting to question whether or not they are beautiful.

“Is it a good likeness, Jabez?” asked the Rector, whilst Mrs. Ashton made room for him with a smile of greeting.

“As like as two peas, sir,” responded Jabez, when he had taken a long look.  “What a face it is!  Oftentimes it comes across my mind when I am not thinking of anything but business; and I’m always the better for it.”

“Why, Jabez, this is the first time you have seen it.”

“Ah, ma’am, you know I mean the original.  There’s two baptisms to-day, sir,” he added, turning away; “two, and one churching.  Mrs. Luttrell and her child, and the poor little baby whose mother died.”

“Mrs. Luttrell!” repeated the Rector.  “It’s soon for her, is it not?”

“They want to go away to the seaside,” replied the clerk.  “What about that notice, sir?”

“I’ll see to it before Sunday, Jabez.  Any news?”

“No, sir; not that I’ve heard of.  My wife wanted to persuade me she saw—­”

At this moment a white-haired old serving-man entered the room with a note, claiming the Rector’s attention.  “The man’s to take back the answer, sir, if you please.”