"Getting on!" he repeated wearily. "Yes, and that's about all. My work lies in London. I'm not fitted for a country parson, because I can't be idle. I feel as if I must be always energetic; and too much energy on the part of a country curate generally causes his vicar annoyance. Many vicars think energy undignified." "But, my dear fellow," I exclaimed, "if you're not well--and I see you're not well by your face and manner--why don't you take things easily? You need not kill yourself, surely! London seems to have a remarkable attraction for you. Surely life is much healthier here." "Yes, you're right," he answered in a clear voice. "There is an attraction for me in London," and he looked into my face with a curious expression. "An attraction outside your work?" I suggested. He hesitated. Then, suddenly, he answered-- "Yes. Why need I conceal it from you, Clifton? It is a woman." "And you are in love?" I exclaimed. "Yes," he responded, in a low tone. "But, hush! Not so loud. No one must know it here." "Of course not. If you wish, it shall remain a secret with me," I said. "Are you engaged?" "Oh no!" he exclaimed. "I love her, but have not yet spoken. I will tell you the truth; then you can advise me," and he paused. At last, continuing, he said: "When I joined the Church I made a solemn vow to God of celibacy; not because I hated women, but because I considered that my work, if done conscientiously, as I intended to do it, should be my sole thought. Mine is perhaps a rather extreme view, but I cannot think that a man can work for his Master with that thoroughness if he has a woman to love and cherish as when he is a bachelor and alone. Some may say that woman's influence upon man is softening and humanising; but I hold that the man who is single can apply himself more devoutly to his fellow-creatures than he who has home ties and family affairs. Well, I took Holy Orders and set myself to work. I know I am not a brilliant preacher, nor have I that gift of self-advertisement which some men cultivate by lecturing with limelight views; but I do know that I strove to act as servant to the Master I had elected to serve, and the thanks of the grateful poor and the knowledge that more than one person had been brought to repentance by my words, were more than sufficient repayment for my efforts. Time went on, and I became deeply absorbed in my work in those foetid slums, until one day I chanced to meet a woman who in an instant entranced me by her beauty. She gave me but a passing glance, but her eyes kindled in my soul the fire of love. We men are, indeed, frail creatures, for in a moment all my good resolutions fell to the ground, and I felt myself devoted to her. We met again, and again. I admired her. I saw how beautiful she was, and then found myself thinking more of her than of the Master whom I was serving. True it is, as it is written, `No man can serve two