"Oh yes; oh yes; of course. I shall be very glad to advise you in any way I can. Prevention is better than cure: don't hesitate to come to me for suggestions. You will doubtless be anxious to follow in the good old ways, and avoid extremes. I am a firm believer in expediency. Though I was not consulted in the present appointment, I may say that what we need is a man of moderate views who can adjust himself to circumstances. Tact, that is the great thing in life. I am a firm believer in tact. Our resources are limited; and a clergyman should be a self-denying man of God, contented with plain living and high thinking. No man can succeed in a country parish who seeks the loaves and fishes of the worldling. Durford is not a metropolis; we do not emulate city ways." "No, I should imagine not," Maxwell answered. The parson gathered that the Senior Warden felt slighted that he had not been asked by the Bishop to name his appointee; and that if he had bethought himself to sprinkle a little hay-seed on his clothing, his reception might have been more cordial. At this point the door opened and a woman, hovering somewhere between twenty-five and forty, dressed in rather youthful and pronounced attire, entered, and seeing Donald exclaimed: "Oh, papa, I did not know that you were busy with a client. Do excuse me." Then, observing the clerical attire of the "client," she came forward, and extending her hand to Donald, exclaimed with a coy, insinuating smile: "I am sure that you must be Mr. Maxwell. I am so glad to see you. I hope I am not interrupting professional confidences." "Not in the least," Donald replied, as he placed a chair for her. "I am very glad to have the pleasure of meeting you, Miss Bascom." "I heard last night that you had arrived, Mr. Maxwell; and I am sure that it is very good of you to come and see papa so soon. I hope to see you at our house before long. You know that we are in the habit of seeing a good deal of the rector, because--you will excuse my frankness--because there are so few people of culture and refinement in this town to make it pleasant for him." "I am sure that you are very kind," Donald replied. Miss Bascom had adjusted her tortoise-shell lorgnette, and was surveying Donald from head to foot. "Is your wife with you?" she inquired, as one who would say: "Tell me no lies!" "No, I am not married." At once she was one radiant smile of welcome: "Papa, we must do all we can to make Mr. Maxwell feel at home at Willow Bluff--so that he will not get lonesome and desert us," she added genially. "You're very kind." "You must come and dine with us very soon and see our place for yourself. You are staying with Mrs. Burke, I understand." "Yes." "How does she impress you?" "I hardly know her well enough to form any definite opinion of her, though she has been kindness itself to me."