“No, I never saw him,” said Rutherford shortly, with a Scot's democratic prejudice against religious snobbery, forgetting that people who will not listen to a reasoned discourse from a clergyman will crowd to the simplest utterance of a lord. “You will allow me to introduce you on Tuesday evening; you got Mrs. Thompson's card. I hope we may have a profitable gathering. Captain Footyl, the hussar evangelist, will also be present--a truly delightful and devoted young man.” Rutherford had not forgotten the card-- Mr. and Mrs. Thompson At Home Tuesday, May 2nd, To meet Lord Dunderhead who will give a Bible Reading. 8 to 10.30 Evening Dress. And had sent it off to his college friend, Carmichael of Drumtochty, with a running commentary of a very piquant character. “Thank you, but I fear that my work will prevent me being with you on Tuesday; it is no light thing for a man to come straight from college to St Bede's without even a holiday.” “So sorry, but by-and-bye you will come to one of our little meetings. Mrs. Thompson greatly enjoyed your sermon to young men this afternoon; perhaps just a little too much of works and too little of faith. Excuse the hint--you know the danger of the day--all life, life; but that's a misleading test By the way, we are all hoping that you may get settled in a home as well as in your church,” continued Mr. Thompson, with pious waggery, and then chilling at the want of sympathy on the minister's face; “but that is a serious matter, and we trust you may be wisely guided. A suitable helpmeet is a precious gift.” “Perhaps you may not have heard, Mr. Thompson, that I am engaged”--and Rutherford eyed the elder keenly,--“and to a girl of whom any man and any congregation may be proud. I am going north next week to see her and to settle our marriage day.” “I am so pleased to hear you say so, and so will all the elders be, for I must tell you that a rumour came to our ears that gave us great concern; but I said we must not give heed to gossip, for what Christian has not suffered in this way at the hand of the world?” “What was the gossip?” demanded Rutherford, and there was that in his tone that brooked no trifling. “You must not take this to heart, dear Mr. Rutherford; it only shows how we ought to set a watch upon our lips. Well that you were to marry a young woman in Glen--Glen----” “Alder. Go on,” said Rutherford. “Yes, in Glenalder, where we all rejoice to know you did so good a work.” “I taught a dozen children in the summer months to eke out my living. But about the young woman--what did they say of her?” “Nothing at all, except that she was, perhaps, hardly in that position of society that a clergyman's wife ought to be, especially one in the west end of Glasgow. But do not let us say anything more of the matter; it just shows how the great enemy is ever trying to create dissension and injure the work.”