"Good news wont keep, eh, Mrs. Margaret!" said he, smiling at my confusion. "I wish you joy of your letters from home!" He is much more free and brotherly with me than he used to be, for which I am very glad. I can't but think Priscilla Fulton hath something to do with this change. I did not think it needful to tell him that my letters were not from home. As I was going on, he called me back, much to my annoyance. 'Twas to ask me whether I had ever held any conversation with Dame Yeo on religious matters? I told him how I had read to her, and that we had talked over what I had read, adding, what was quite true that she had cheered me up, and done me a great deal of good. He shook his head. "I know not what to say," said he. "I cannot but fear she is in a very dangerous way." "Why?" I asked, surprised. "She always seemed to me one of the best Christians in the world." "I fear she is guilty of the sin of presumption!" said he. "She says she knows her sins are forgiven, and that she is accepted of God." "Well," I answered—"why not? Don't you read in the church every day that 'He pardoneth and absolveth all those who truly repent and unfeignedly believe His holy Gospel'? And does not our Lord say, 'He that believeth on me, hath everlasting life, and shall never come into condemnation'?" "'Tis true!" said he. "But yet—" "I can't stop to talk to you about it now," I said; "my Lady will be waiting for me. But, Mr. Penrose, I don't believe our Lord intends his dear children shall walk through the world with a rope round their necks, as it were. He tells us to rejoice evermore, and that because our names are written in heaven!" "You believe in the doctrine of final perseverance?" said he, turning back and walking with me. "I know naught of theological terms," I answered him. "But when I feel God's grace enough for me to-day, why should I distress myself for fear I should not have it to-morrow, or next week, or next year? We are taught to ask daily bread for daily needs, and why not daily grace? I see no presumption in taking our Lord at His word." "But how can you know that you love Him, or that your faith is sufficient?" he persisted, still going on by my side. "As I know anything else," I answered. "How do I know that I am glad to get my letter? I don't need any deep self-examination to find that out, I trow!" "Nor I!" said Mr. Penrose. "It needs only to look at your face. But we will talk of this matter again." And so, to my relief, he turned and left me, with a kind good morning. He is far more patient of contradiction or opposition than he used to be. He formerly seemed to resent my having any opinions of mine own in such matters. I hope he will not go teasing Dame Yeo with his notions, though, indeed, I believe the old woman is quite able to hold her own with him.