"But, my good friend, are there no other means of rendering a service to Mr. Henderson than by giving him this very living. You say you have not promised him this very identical living, but that you have only given him hopes of something. Now suppose you give me leave to purchase this living of you, and you in return purchase a presentation for Mr. Henderson, or give him the means of purchasing one for himself." "Oh, no, no, I can't think of doing him a service in this way. He would hardly accept of it under such circumstances; he is a man of too great delicacy to accept of a pecuniary present." Sir Gilbert smiled, and replied, "Indeed, sir, I think you wrong Mr. Henderson in attributing to him such a degree of fastidiousness. He is too courteous a man rudely to decline what a patron may offer him. Indeed, I know that he has been much mocked by the promise of patronage; and I should not be surprised if the pecuniary patronage might not be most acceptable to him of any. He has a large family, and they are arrived at an expensive age. I certainly am of opinion that the arrangement I propose will be acceptable." As the argument now led to prove that bestowing the living on the nominee of the great man might lead to a considerable advantage in favor of Mr. Henderson, old John Martindale began to relax from his rigidity of purpose, and to be happy that he might do two useful and beneficial acts at once. He might benefit Mr. Henderson and contribute to the advancement of his own relative at the same time. Then he hesitated, and said he did not know what to say about the matter. He thought that what Sir Gilbert Sampson said had some weight in it; and after a long harangue which meant nothing at all, he concluded by promising to take the matter into his most serious consideration. Very few days after this interview with Sir Gilbert Sampson, the old gentleman received a letter from his cousin Philip, and another also from the bride. These letters were constructed so as to be peculiarly pleasing and flattering to Mr. Martindale; and he thought that it would be a great pity to lose a fine opportunity of advancing the young gentleman to the honor of an earldom. But still there remained on his mind a strong feeling of perplexity as concerned poor Mr. Henderson. It was not quite accordant with the old gentleman's strict notions of honor and steadiness of purpose; but as some benefit might result from the arrangement, it was perhaps better to benefit two parties than one only. Thereupon the matter was presently settled, and Mr. Henderson again disappointed of a living. This disappointment, however, the good man bore with patience; and he was, though with great difficulty and after long and suitable opposition, prevailed upon at last to accept the means of procuring for himself some other living.