“So far as I know,” answered Mrs. Duncan brightly, “I shall be there. But why specially next Sunday? Is there anything out of the common going to take place?” “Only this,” replied the Rector, stirring his tea, “that a newly-come member of our congregation has promised to sing for us. She, for it is a lady, is a professional vocalist, and when I called on her mother some weeks ago, Miss Heritage told me that if ever she could help me by singing in the church at any time, she would most gladly do so. I thought it so kind of her, for indeed I should not have liked to ask such a thing. It seems like imposing on people’s good nature.” “I agree with you there, Mr. Mellis, and it was a graceful thing in this lady to place herself at your disposal. What did you say her name was?” “Heritage—Marielle Heritage.” “What a pretty name!” exclaimed Mrs. Duncan. “Yes, and a pretty girl too, you will say when you see her,” added the Rector. “Hallo, little mother, and who is this pretty girl you are discussing?” said someone who had quietly entered the room. “Dear me, Magnus, what a start you gave me!” said his mother, stooping to pick up a tea-spoon which, in her fright, she had let fall. “Here, let me do that for you, dear. There it is. How d’ye do, Mr. Mellis? Wet day, isn’t it?” Magnus shook hands with the old man, then turning to his mother, gave her a bear-like hug and hearty kiss, making her face flush with pleasure and her sweet eyes shine brighter than ever as she surveyed the tall, handsome figure of her son. Clean-shaven, with crisp, curly, dark hair, cut very short, and with steady deep blue eyes, Magnus Duncan, though not exactly good-looking, had a face that inspired confidence at once. He was more like his father than his mother, yet he had the latter’s sweet expression and smile, which lit up his otherwise rather sombre features, giving a rare charm to his clever face. “Now for some tea, little mother, please, and then tell me what all the talk was about when I came in and interrupted you.” Just then entered Dr. Duncan, senior, and it was some few minutes before Magnus gained the desired information. “Oh! I see. How nice of her! And what is she going to sing?” asked Magnus, who was passionately fond of music. “I really did not ask her. She said she would sing some solo in place of the anthem, and I left it to her to choose what, and to arrange for a rehearsal with the organist,” replied Mr. Mellis. “Oh! well, we’ll go, won’t we, dad?” said Magnus, turning to his father. “Yes, my boy, if only we are not called off to see a patient, which is our usual luck if ever we specially want to go anywhere,” laughed Dr. Duncan.