"Dr. Harrison, will a wise man leave such a matter in uncertainty?" "I am not wise," said he. "I am ignorant--in this." "You know you need not remain so." "That is not so certain! I have seen so much--of what you have seen so little, my dear Miss Derrick, that you can scarce understand how light the weight of most people's testimony is to me." "But there is the testimony of one higher," said Faith. "There is God's own word?" "I don't know it." "_Won't_ you know it, sir?" "I will do anything you ask me in that voice," he said smiling at her. "But after all one reads people and people's _professions_, miss Faith;--and they make the first impression." "I dare say it is often not true," said Faith sadly. "_You_ are true," said he; "and you may say to me what you will, on this subject or any other, and I will believe it." They walked a little distance in silence. "What are you thinking of?" said the doctor in a very gentle accent of inquiry. "I am sorry--very sorry for you, Dr. Harrison." "Why?" said he taking her hand. "Because it seems to me you are not caring in earnest about this matter." He kissed the hand, without asking permission. But it was done with a grateful warm expression of feeling. "I will do whatever you tell me to do!" he said. How Faith wished she could send him to another adviser! But that she could not. "Tell me," he repeated. "I will do it." The look and tone were earnest, moved, and warm; she had hardly seen the like in Dr. Harrison before. "Then, Dr. Harrison, I wish you would read the Bible, with the determination to do what you find there you ought." "I will," he said smiling. "And if I get into difficulty you must help me." The rest of the way was extremely pleasant, after that; only it seemed to Faith that they met all the world! First there was Cecilia Deacon, whose eyes took good note, she thought, of both the walkers from head to foot. Then they met at intervals every one of Faith's Sunday school scholars; for every one of whom she had a glad greeting and word which she must stop for, somewhat to the doctor's amused edification. Miss Bezac happened, of all people, to be going up street when they were going down; and her eyes looked rather with some wistful gravity upon the pair, for all her pleasant nods to both. Then Mrs. Somers. "Well I think you are _Faith!_"--was her brisk remark,--"or faith_less_--which is it? Julius, I heard a remarkable story about you yesterday." "Aunt Ellen--I like to hear remarkable stories. Especially about anything remarkable." "Well this isn't one of that sort," said Mrs. Somers. "I am sure you said--However, let's have it, of any sort." "I heard you had your pocket picked of a good opportunity," said Mrs. Somers. "Does Mr. Linden expect to be out next week, Faith?" "I believe Dr. Harrison will not let him, Mrs. Somers."