"I don't know," he said,--"because I don't know how far I _cannot_ read! Yet if 'the invisible things of God' may be known 'by the things which are seen,' there is at least room for ample study. To some people, Miss Faith, the world is always (with the change of one adjective) an incomprehensible little green book; while others read a few pages now, and look forward to knowing the whole hereafter." There was a pause, a little longer than usual. "And you say I must not thank you?"--Faith said very low. "I say I think you have no cause." She was silent. "Has the day been pleasant?" Mr. Linden asked, as they walked up and down. "Yes, very pleasant. I liked what you didn't like, Mr. Linden--all that examination business. And I was very glad for Reuben and little Johnny." "How do you know I didn't like it?" "I don't 'know'--I thought you didn't," she said looking at him. "You don't like to say why?" "Yes! I thought you didn't like it, Mr. Linden, when Judge Harrison first proposed it. You wished he would give us the pleasure without the shewing off." "Well, did you also know," he said with a peculiar little smile, "that one of my best scholars was not examined?" "No--who do you mean?" she said earnestly. He laughed, and answered, "One who would perhaps prefer a private examination at home--and to whom I have thought of proposing it." "An examination?" said Faith, wondering and with considerable heightening of colour, either at the proposal or at the rank among scholars assigned her. "You need not be frightened," Mr. Linden said gravely--"if anybody should be, it is I, at my own boldness. I am a little afraid to go on now--though it is something I have long wanted to say to you." "What is it, Mr. Linden?" she said timidly. "I have thought--" he paused a moment, and then went quietly on. "You have given me reason to think, that there are other desirable things besides French of which you have no knowledge. I have wished very much to ask you what they are, and that you would let me--so far as I can--supply the deficiency." It was said with simple frankness, yet with a manner that fully recognized the delicate ground he was on. The rush of blood to Faith's face he could see by the lamplight, but she hesitated for an answer, and hesitated,--and her head was bent with the weight of some feeling. "I should be too glad, Mr. Linden!" she said at last, very low, but with unmistakeable emphasis.