“So do I, Aunt Patty.  He is quite my ideal pastor, and when he marries, I hope his wife will be worthy of him in every respect.  Only a very noble woman would suit my cousin.”

A bright spot burned on Miss Dent’s wrinkled cheek, and she knitted her brows, and shook her head.

“He is so absorbed in his holy work that he has no leisure for such trifles as love-making; but if he should ever honor a woman by the offer of his consecrated hand, it must be one of large fortune, who will dedicate herself and her money to the accomplishment of his ecclesiastical schemes.”

The corners of Miss Gordon’s mouth twitched mutinously, but she contrived to throw much innocent surprise and questioning into the handsome brown eyes, which she lifted from her gold-hearted pansies, to her Aunt’s face.

“Could you possibly associate mercenary motives with any step which he might take?  Such a supposition would be totally incompatible with my estimate of his character.”

“When a man dedicates himself to a solemn mission, he is lifted far above the ordinary plane, can dispense with sentimental conventionalities, and must learn to regard all human relations as merely means to an end.  Want of money has palsied many an arm lifted to advance the good of the Church; and zeal without funds, accomplishes as little as rusty machinery stiff from lack of oil.  If Dr. Douglass could only control even a hundred thousand dollars, what shining monuments he would leave to immortalize him!  Indeed, it passes my comprehension how persons who could so easily help him, deliberately turn a deaf ear to the ’cry from Macedonia’.”

“There is far more eclat in trips to Macedonia, but the God of recompense does not forget the steady, tireless help and sympathy extended to the needy, who dwell within sight of our own doors.  Organized society work is good, but individual self-sacrifice and labor are much better; and if every unit did full duty, co-operative systems would not be so necessary; still, Leighton’s scheme commends itself to every woman’s heart, and when I answered his letter, I expressed cordially my approbation.”

“Did you prove your faith by your works, and send him a large check?”

“Auntie, dear, do you expect me to stultify all your training, both your example and precept—­for lo! these many years—­by setting my left hand to gossip about my right?  I am very sure.”

“Well, Andrew, what is it?”

“A boy from Mr. Dunbar’s office has just galloped up, and says I am to tell you he can’t ride to the Falls to-day, as he expected, because of some pressing business; and he wants to know if the Judge will come into town right away?  Mr. Dunbar will explain when he comes late this evening.”

“Very well.  Tell Daniel I shall not want ‘Rebel’ saddled; and say to the messenger that my Uncle is not at home.  Aunt Patty, do you know where he has gone?”

“Doubtless to his office; where else should he be?  He said he had a pile of tiresome papers to examine to-day.”