A fine young brood of white Brahma chickens, having surreptitiously effected an entrance into the sacred precincts of the flower-garden, were now diligently prosecuting their experiments in entomotomy right in the heart of a border of choice carnations.  When Bioern had chased the marauders to the confines of the poultry yard, and watched the last awkward fledgling scramble through the palings, his master began to repair the damage, and soon became absorbed in the favourite task of tying up the spicy tufts of bloom that deluged the air with perfume as he lifted and bent the slender stems.  His straw hat shut out the sight of surrounding objects, and he only turned his head when Mrs. Lindsay put her hand on his shoulder, and exclaimed: 

“Peyton, ’the Philistines be upon thee’!”

“Do you mean that she has come?”

“I think so; there is a carriage at the gate, and I noticed a trunk beside the driver.”

He rose hastily, and stood irresolute, visibly embarrassed.

“Why, Peyton!  Recollect your text last Sunday:  ’No man having put his hand to the plough,’ etc., etc., etc.  It certainly is rather hard to be pelted with, one’s own sermons, but it would never do to turn your back upon this benevolent furrow.  Come, pluck up courage, and front the inevitable.”

“Elise, how can you jest?  I am sorely burdened with gloomy forebodings of coming ill.  You cannot imagine how I shrink from this responsibility.”

“It is rather too late, dear, to climb upon the stool of repentance.  Take this beast of Bashan by the horns, and have done with it.  There is the bell!  Shall I accompany you?”

“Oh, certainly.”

Hannah met them, and held up a card.

                  ERLE PALMA,
                        New York City.

As the minister entered his parlour, Mr. Palma advanced to meet him, holding out his hand.

“I hope Dr. Hargrove has been prepared for my visit, and understands its object?”

“I am glad to know you, sir, and had reason to expect you.  Allow me to present Mr. Palma to my sister, Mrs. Lindsay.  I am exceedingly——­”

The sentence was never completed, and he stood with his eyes fastened on the child who leaned against the window watching him with an eager breathless interest as some caged creature eyes a new keeper, wondering, mutely questioning, whether cruelty or kindness will predominate in the strange custodian.

For a moment, oblivious of all else, each gazed into the eyes of the other, and a subtle magnetic current flashed from soul to soul, revealing certain arcana, which years of ordinary acquaintance sometimes fail to unveil.  From the pastor’s countenance melted every trace of doubt and apprehension; from that of the girl all shadow of distrust.