he kept his word, though it required a vast amount of evasion—an art in which he was by no means an adept-to elude her pointed questions which, when not definitely answered in one form, she generally repeated in another.

She conceived a violent liking for the young man's society, and pleaded so eagerly that he would himself assist them in their search, that he at length consented to spend a short time with them previous to his returning to England.

For some weeks, therefore, they travelled together, and then parted with mutual regret.

And here we also must leave them to continue their wanderings alone, while we cross the channel for the purpose of ascertaining why our hero should have forsaken his comfortable home at Lanchester, and made one of the unfortunate passengers on board the ill-fated Burdwan.

CHAPTER LXXVIII.

HERBERT MAKES A DOUBLE DISCOVERY.

"It is not only large associations and wealthy societies, with vast machinery, that have won great things for the Church of God. How much has been accomplished by means of solitary individuals, single minds and single hearts, bringing to bear upon others the power of that special gift with which God has endowed them for His service!"

"For such the bounteous providence of Heaven,
In every breast implanting the desire

Of objects new and strange, to urge us on
With unremitting labour to pursue

Those sacred stores that wait the ripening soul,
In truth's exhaustless bosom.

For this the daring youth

Breaks from his weeping mother's anxious arms,

In foreign climes to rove."

AKENSIDE.

So rapidly did the work of building proceed, that the plain-looking, though substantial and commodious place of worship near Colton was nearly completed before the Snapsons (all traces of the fever having happily disappeared from the village) returned.

It was opened with every solemnity, in presence of a large and deeply interested assemblage; and from that time service was regularly performed within its walls, generally by Herbert, though he gladly accepted the aid of any evangelical minister who had it in his power to render him occasional assistance.

How eminently useful these services were, could in some measure be estimated by the numbers of artisans and other workmen who, with their wives and families, punctually availed themselves of them; but other and more practical proofs of their beneficial influences were not wanting. Once, to the unbounded surprise of every one present, Mr. Snapson (wishing at last, perhaps, to testify his public appreciation of our hero's efforts to elevate the morals of his employés) entered the recently erected chapel, and, quietly taking his seat with the others, listened with at least outward respect to that Word, the entrance of which giveth light. He was of course accompanied by Albert, with whom Herbert was still a prodigious favourite, and who was himself in the constant habit of going with Henry to hear him preach.

For about six months Herbert laboured steadily on in the same direction.

Then his little book was published concerning Africa and its unchristianised inhabitants, a subject on which he had long thought and felt deeply; and on its first appearance the Lanchester Exploration Society, which had been lately established under peculiarly

favourable auspices—the said society comprising many of the most talented and influential members of the community-came forward and unanimously offered to treat with him on the most liberal terms, if he would consent to proceed at once to Central Africa, in order to set at rest some questions of startling import which had of late been raised respecting the country, by giving them the benefit of his own personal investigation and researches.

The prospect was rather a tempting one to Herbert, especially as he happened about this time to make a double discovery-one relating to James Gordon, the other to himself.

In the first place it became evident to him that Gordon-who had lost no opportunity of improving himself by reading and study since his arrival at Lanchester, and was now a man, if not of brilliant attainments, yet of considerable practical knowledge and intelligence, besides being one of the most devoted and consistent Christians it had been his good fortune to meet-would, with a trifle more experience, be fully capable of undertaking his duties, in the event of his concluding to accept the society's proposal.

His second discovery was of a very different and purely personal nature-neither more nor less than this: He found that in spite of his habitual caution and circumspection, and the painful sacrifices he often made to a sense of duty, a new and absorbing interest had gradually been springing up in his mind, without his knowledge, certainly without his consent, until he suddenly found himself, to use a hackneyed expression, deeply and hopelessly in love!

Why hopelessly?

Because he felt that situated as he was he would be no fit match for the beautiful and attractive Ella Stanley. Her very wealth was in his eyes an insuperable obstacle, and his whole nature revolted at the idea of his being regarded in the light of a mercenary fortunehunter! Had she been poor, how gladly would he have come forward and shielded her from every threatened cloud, and by his own exertions supported her in the same position to which she was alike by birth and education entitled! but what was he-these were his thoughts-that he should presume to enter the lists against the numbers of suitors who surrounded her, all of them in better and more affluent circumstances than himself, and many of them known to be men of high character, worth, and integrity? How could he hope to succeed where these failed? or, granting that he was successful in gaining the young lady's affections, prudential considerations on the part of Lady Stanley, who naturally looked for a suitable and more brilliant alliance for her daughter, would render this of little avail, and might only be the means of inflicting suffering upon another and that other the one for whom he would cheerfully endure the most excruciating torture rather than subject her to a moment's pain.

Better, far better (so he reasoned), bury his love deep within his own breast than expose her to sorrow; and though his attachment was of the strongest kind, founded upon the firm basis of esteem, and strengthened and increased by the intimate knowledge he had acquired of her principles and conduct, the sweetness and equability of her disposition, the gentleness and refinement of her manner, and, better still, the decided religious tone which had for many months pervaded her whole character-he could not, in justice to herself,

continue as heretofore to visit the young baronet's house, lest he should, in some unguarded moment, be led into betraying the real state of his heart. His only safety lay in avoiding Ella Stanley's society for the future, and this he was resolved to do.

He soon, however, discovered that in order to adhere to his determination he must leave the neighbourhood of Lanchester; for Sir Edward called so frequently at the cottage, and reproached him so earnestly for having deserted them, that he could not long persist in repelling his advances without being able to assign a sufficient reason for doing so. It is true he might, by admitting Sir Edward into his confidence, and frankly explaining how matters stood with him, have obtained his sympathy and assistance; but, knowing the young man's ardent affection for himself, and also remembering how he was situated with regard to his sister, he felt that to ask his advice on so delicate a subject would be taking an unfair advantage of him, to say nothing of the exceedingly embarrassing position in which he would thereby be placed.

He placed a double guard, therefore, upon himself when in Sir Edward's presence, lest he should unconsciously furnish him with a clue to his conduct.

His friend plainly perceived that something was amiss, though he restrained himself from making any remark which could lead him to suppose he had observed it.

Even James Gordon was puzzled at the strangeness of Herbert's conduct at this particular juncture. He appeared so unusually quiet and thoughtful—almost reserved at times-so wishful to be alone; while his face wore that peculiar look of anxious consideration which showed that his mind was exercised deeply-on what subject Gordon was quite at a loss to understand.

However, this period of mental indetermination did not last long. With Herbert to resolve and to act seemed synonymous terms; and when once the path of duty was clearly marked out before him, he hesitated not to follow it, in spite of every obstacle and discourage

ment.

His first step, after debating the matter with himself, and seeking the Divine blessing upon his decision, was to communicate the result to James Gordon.

He, poor man, was totally unprepared for such an announcement, and would not for a considerable time be persuaded that Herbert was really in earnest.

"It's impossible!" he cried at length, passing his hand hastily across his eyes, "utterly impossible! You would never think of breaking up your home here, and leaving your friends? Just as you are beginning to get so well known, too, and so much beloved! O sir, don't do it!"

And his eager, beseeching tones might have moved a stone.

"My dear James, I must!" said Herbert, with gentle firmness. "I have looked at the matter from all points, considered every pro and con, weighed each advantage and disadvantage, and finally committed my way unto the Lord; and now I feel convinced that my duty lies in the direction I have specified."

"Well, if the thing proceeds from the Lord, I suppose we must submit,” replied Gordon, looking greatly disturbed; “but it seems very hard."

"Remember, my good friend, that the present arrangement will expire in three years," remarked Herbert, in a tone of encouragement; "at the end of that time we must hope to meet again."

"Three years!" ejaculated Gordon, almost with a groan; "no one knows what may happen in that time!"

"Except God," mildly remonstrated Herbert. from the beginning."

"He knows the end

"But (forgive me if I seem rude, sir), do you think it is your duty to forsake this neighbourhood, where you have been, and still are, doing so much good? Who will care for the people when you are gone, and carry on your meeting, and

"You, my friend!" said Herbert, laying his hand upon the other's arm, and gazing earnestly into his face.

"I!" exclaimed Gordon, starting back in unfeigned amazement ; "what could I do, sir?"

"Listen to me, James. One evening-you may perhaps recollect it-I was detained at the Colton Station much longer than usual, and could not reach the chapel in time for the commencement of the service."

"Yes, I remember," assented Gordon.

"Well, when I did at last arrive, fully expecting that the meeting had dispersed, I found, to my intense surprise and pleasure, that you had yourself begun

"It was only a prayer-meeting, sir," murmured Gordon, averting

his face.

66

Perhaps so; but I stood for a few minutes inside the door, and, without being myself observed, heard you expounding a portion of Holy Writ with such clearness and earnest fluency, that my attention was irresistibly chained, and I felt it would be a positive sin for you to neglect the gift which God has given you."

"O sir," remonstrated Gordon, with an expression of genuine humility, "don't try to persuade me that I should be capable of supplying your place; the very idea is preposterous! If, indeed," he went on, reflectingly, "I had had sufficient time to qualify myself in some measure for the important work, I might have had less hesitation in undertaking it, though even then I fear I could never hope to succeed as I should wish."

"What would you think of going to the College, for a year, James? it might give you confidence and

"I had some idea of that at one time," replied Gordon, evidently not ill-pleased at the suggestion; "but," slowly weighing his words, "what would become of the work here meanwhile?"

This obstacle Herbert found no difficulty in meeting, as he had only the preceding evening made the acquaintance of an earnest Christian missionary who had just returned from Caffraria for the benefit of his health, and was ready to engage in some good work during his stay in Lanchester, without any further remuneration than the use of a suitable dwelling-house.

"Well, I must say I can't understand it," said Gordon, with a shade of impatience in his tone, when Herbert had answered all his other objections; "if it is really necessary for you to go to Africa, why may I not accompany you?"

"There are several reasons against it, James. First of all, there's