“‘Like rats out of a burning corn-stack,’ said I. “‘I _do_ wish I had been with you,’ said the old man; ‘I would have set up a halloo that would have rung in Willie’s ears till—till—till he gets Coniston Hall!’ and he laughed once more till his sides shook again. “His mood, however, was soon changed into sober sadness, when I proceeded to explain to him how the handsome stranger had won the heart of my poor sister Martha, and how deeply and unchangeably I feared her affections were engaged. Martha was a great favourite with Mr. Walker, as indeed she was with every one who knew her; and he saw at once the difficulty of her situation. ‘Poor thing!’ said he, with a deep expression of melancholy foreboding on his countenance, ‘what is to become of her! I know her well: she has not given her heart hastily, nor hastily will she withdraw it. What a fiend he must be to steal the affections of one so good, so innocent, and so confiding! Bad men are always selfish; and with all his professions of zeal for the liberty and instruction of mankind, he could not forget his own interests, or restrain his passions. ’Tis always thus; they who deal with evil on a large scale, are almost sure to indulge in a little private vice on their own account! Yet why condemn him hastily? The man that could win the heart of _our_ Martha must have in him something that is plausible at least, if not estimable. She would not give away her diamonds for IRTON pearls. {78} Who knows but the believing maiden may be even now converting the unbelieving lover? I will speak to her on the subject, and that before I am a day older. I think, my young friend, she will not hesitate to confess to me her inmost thoughts?’ “‘I will answer for that,’ said I; ‘but how is the interview to be brought about? I shrink from entering upon the subject with her myself, and should be the unwilling bearer of any message which might lead her to suspect that I had in any way played a false part towards her.’ “‘Leave that to me,’ said the old man, ‘I see no difficulty in the matter.’ He turned to his little writing-table, which drew out from beneath his book shelves, (for we were in his little room on the top of the house which he had fitted up for his private study,) and wrote as follows: “‘My dear Martha, I wish to see you tomorrow on particular business, and at eleven o’clock. Bring your brother with you as a companion by the way. Your affectionate Pastor, Robert Walker.’