"More strongly than you can understand; I know that very well," said Mrs. Hilyard; "but you perceive you are speaking to a woman who has died twice. Coming to life is a bitter process, but one gets over it. If you ever should have such a thing to go through with--and survive it," she added, giving him a wistful glance, "I should like to tell you my experiences. However, I hope better things. You are very well looked after at Salem Chapel, Mr. Vincent. I think of you sometimes when I look out of my window and see your tabernacle. It is not so pretty as Mr. Wentworth's at St. Roque's, but you have the advantage of the curate otherwise. So far as I can see, he never occupies himself with anything higher than his prayer-book and his poor people. I doubt much whether he would ever dream of replying to what you told us to-night." "Probably he holds a Dissenting minister in too much contempt," said Vincent, with an uncomfortable smile on his lips. "Don't sneer--never sneer--no gentleman does," said his companion. "I like you, though you are only a Dissenting minister. You know me to be very poor, and you have seen me in very odd circumstances to-night; yet you walk home with me--I perceive you are steering towards Back Grove Street, Mr. Vincent--without an illusion which could make me feel myself an equivocal person, and just as if this was the most reasonable thing in the world which I have been doing to-night. Thank you. You are a paladin in some things, though in others only a Dissenting minister. If I were a fairy, the gift I would endow you with would be just that same unconsciousness of your own disadvantages, which courtesy makes you show of mine." "Indeed," said Vincent, with natural gratification, "it required no discrimination on my part to recognise at once that I was addressing----" "Hush! you have never even insinuated that an explanation was necessary, which is the very height and climax of fine manners," said Mrs. Hilyard; "and I speak who am, or used to be, an authority in such matters. I don't mean to give you any explanation either. Now, you must turn back and go home. Good-night. One thing I may tell you, however," she continued, with a little warmth; "don't mistake me. There is no reason in this world why you might not introduce me to the ladies in Lonsdale, if any accident brought it about that we should meet. I say this to make your mind easy about your penitent; and now, my good young father in the faith, good-night." "Let me see you to your door first," said the wondering young man. "No--no farther. Good-night," she said, hastily, shaking hands, and leaving him. The parting was so sudden that it took Vincent a minute to stop short, under way and walking quickly as he was. When she had made one or two rapid steps in advance, Mrs. Hilyard turned back, as if with a sudden impulse.