hath appointed, whereby His justice is satisfied. His law fulfilled, His mercy reigneth, His grace doth triumph, all His perfections do agree together, the sinner is saved, and God in Christ glorified. Now, Sire, I have done your bidding, and I humbly ask your Majesty's leave to withdraw.' The King said naught, but cast him a nod of consent. My dears, you never saw such a change as had come over that table. Every man seemed sobered and awed. The Queen was weeping, the King silent and thoughtful. My Lord Rochester, whom at that time nothing could sober long, was the only one to speak, and rising with make-believe gravity, as though in his place in the House of Lords, he offered a motion that the King should please to send Mr Howard into the kitchen to make kail, and raise the Reverend Mr David Armstrong to the place of chaplain." "What is kail, Mrs Dolly?" asked Rhoda, laughing. "'Tis Scots broth, my dear, whereof King Charles was very fond, and old David had been fetched from Scotland on purpose to make it for him." "What a droll old man!" exclaimed Rhoda. "Ah, he was one of the best men ever I knew," said Mrs Dorothy. "But, my dear, look at the clock!" "I declare!" cried Rhoda. "Phoebe, we have but just time to run home ere supper, if so much as that. Good evening, Mrs Dolly, and thank you. What will Madam say?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note: David Armstrong is a historical person, and this anecdote is true. The surname given to him only is fictitious, as history does not record any name but "David." CHAPTER FOUR. THROUGH THORNY PATHS. "I do repent me now too late of each impatient thought, That would not let me tarry out God's leisure as I ought." _Caroline Bowles_. "Is it long since Madam woke, Baxter?" cried Rhoda in a breathless whisper, as she came in at the side door. "But this minute, Mrs Rhoda," answered he. "That's good!" said Rhoda aside to Phoebe, and slipping off her shoes, she ran lightly and silently upstairs, beckoning her cousin to follow. Phoebe, having no idea of the course of Rhoda's thoughts, obeyed, and followed her example in doffing her hood and smoothing her hair. "Be quick!" said Rhoda, her own rapid movements over, and putting on her shoes again. They found Madam looking barely awake, and staring hard at her book, as if wishful to persuade herself that she had been reading. "I hope, child, you were not out all this time," said she to Rhoda. "Oh no, Madam!" glibly answered that trustworthy young lady. "We only had a dish of tea with Mrs Dolly, and I made my compliments to the other gentlewomen." "And where were you since, child?" "We have been upstairs, Madam," said Rhoda, unblushingly. "Not diverting yourselves, I hope?" was Madam's next question. "Oh no, not at all, Madam. We were not doing anything particular."