his whole nature, may have awakened me to the fact; but still there was an inexplicable charm about him that even merry-hearted, trifling Hubert felt, and forced his unwilling regard.  I shrank with sudden pain from the mere thought of seeing him married to Hermione Le Grande; but instinctively feeling that his was one of those still, changeless natures which never outgrows a master passion, and recalling her beauty and grace, I could only commit him to the sure care of the God whom he affected to believe does not take cognizance of human joys or griefs.  With this there came such a sense of peace and security, that my mind grew calm; and sleep, that soothes every heartache, brought its benison.  The next day I felt certain both from Mrs. Flaxman’s manner and Mr. Winthrop’s, that some disturbing element was in the air; and finding Mrs. Flaxman more inclined to solitude than society, after my forenoon’s work was ended—­for what with the reading Mr. Winthrop appointed, and the time appointed by myself for painting, the entire morning until luncheon I found quite short enough.  I started for Mrs. Blake’s.  I found her in a very happy mood.

The revival was still progressing in the Beech Street church, and Esmerelda, from day to day, had been telling me how happy Mr. Bowen was, and how some folks liked to hear him speak and pray better than any preacher in town.  Now Mrs. Blake gave me particulars that the dress-loving Esmerelda had failed to note.  “Dan’el and me have been oneasy about the way we’ve lived ever since Margaret died,” she said, after we had been chatting a while about the meetings, and Mr. Lathrop, the pastor of Beech Street church, and its late ongoings.  “Dan’el especially felt as if there wa’n’t any chance for him; but since Mr. Bowen has got out to the meetings, he’s been a powerful help.  It seemed as if he jest knew how the Lord looked on us.  Night afore last I went to meeting with my mind made up to stay there until I found if there was any mercy for me.  I mind how I felt as I walked along the road.  The snow was deep, and the night cold, and everything seemed that desolate—­my!  I wished I’d never been born.  I don’t know what made me, but I looked right up into the sky all at onct; the stars were shining bright, and I thought if God could keep all them hanging there on nothing, year after year, he could keep me in the place He wanted for me, if I’d only agree to let Him; and right there I stood stock still in the snow and said, ’Lord, I’m a poor unlarnt creatur’, but I want you to keep me where you want me, the same as you do the stars.  I’ll take the poorest place in earth or Heaven, if you’ll only adopt me as your own.’  I meant what I said, and the Lord just then and there sealed the bargain; and my! but I went on to the meeting that happy I didn’t know if I was on earth or up among the holy ones, who are forever praising God.  Dan’el had got much the same blessing some time ago, and when we came home he took down the Bible and prayed.  The preacher tells the heads of families if they want to keep their religion they must build an altar as the patriarchs did.  Religion is the same now as then.”