the corresponding dullness of men, from the lower instincts of men compared with the spiritual nature of women; and she showed how, when women took their natural place in the government of the nation, laws were for the first time framed on sound and economical principles, and for the benefit of man himself. Finally, in a brilliant peroration, she called upon her male hearers to defend, even to the death if necessary, the principles of their religion; she warned the women that a spirit of questioning and discontent was abroad; she exhorted the men to find their true happiness in submission to authority; and she drew a vivid picture of the poor wretch who, beginning with doubt and disobedience, went on to wife-beating, atheism, and despair, both of this world and the next. The sermon lasted nearly an hour. The Dean never paused, never hesitated, was never at a loss. Yet, somehow she failed to affect her hearers. The women looked idly about them, the men stared straight before them, showing no response, and no sympathy. One reason of this apathy was that the congregation had heard it all before, and so often, that it ceased to move them; the priestesses of the Faith, in their ardour, endeavouring constantly to make men intelligent as well as submissive supporters, overdid the preaching, and by continual repetition ruined the effect of their earnest eloquence, and reduced it to the level of rhetorical commonplace. The Professor and her pupil walked gravely homewards. 'I think,' said Lord Chester, 'that I could preach a sermon the other way round.' 'You mean----' 'I mean that I could just as well show how natural religion intended man to be both agent and contriver.' 'I think,' said the Professor, 'that such a sermon had better not be preached, at least, just yet. It was _rather_ a risky thing to make that remark of yours about the ballad which you sang yesterday. Such a sermon as you contemplate would infallibly land its composer--even Lord Chester--in a prison--and for life.' Lord Chester was silent. 'Do you speculate often,' asked his tutor, 'in these theological matters?' 'Of late,' he replied. 'Yes, this perpetual admonition about Authority worries me. Why should we accept statements on Authority? I have been looking through the text-books, and I conclude----' 'Pray do not tell me,' she interrupted laughing. 'For the present, let me not know the nature of your conclusions. But, Lord Chester, for your own sake, for every one's sake, be guarded--be silent,' She pressed his arm; he nodded gravely, but made no reply. When they reached home they learned that the Chancellor herself was waiting to see Lord Chester. She wished to see the Professor as well.