In a few minutes Mrs Avenel returned. She took a chair at some distance from the Parson's, and, resting one hand on the elbow of the chair, while with the other she stiffly smoothed the stiff gown, she said-- "Now, sir." That "Now, sir," had in its sound something sinister and warlike. This the shrewd Parson recognised with his usual tact. He edged his chair nearer to Mrs Avenel, and placing his hand on hers-- "Yes, now then, and as friend to friend." LEGENDS OF THE MONASTIC ORDERS, AS REPRESENTED IN THE FINE ARTS.[22] Lovers of the Fine Arts--and they ought to be the whole civilised world--owe an especial regard and reverence to the Monastic Orders, without whom there would have been, and would be now, no Art at all. Taking the Fine Arts at their lowest value, as a mere source of pleasure, from the love of imitation or representation of agreeable objects--the remembrancer of scenes of interest, the elegant accomplishment by which homes are embellished and made more beautifully homely--surely some little gratitude is due, where it has been the fashion to be sparing of any praise, to those good and pious men who in their convents prepared, improved, and invented colours as well as implements of Art; were themselves the early painters, and by their extensive patronage may be called the Fathers of the Arts. Had the world derived from the monastic orders no other good, that one should have insured them a perpetual respect. [22] _Legends of the Monastic Orders, as Represented in the Fine Arts._ By Mrs JAMESON. 1 vol. Longman & Co., London. 1850 But the Arts do not stand alone--are themselves a sisterhood, if we may so speak--many orders, but one religion; one bond binding them together--the culture of humanity.