Clementina made no reply, and soon after expressed her wish to retire to rest. Those who have never known the happiness of religion find it difficult to believe that it really bestows any. A blind man cannot understand the beauty of light, nor the man deaf from his birth the delight of music. Yet music and light are around us still, and such to the soul is “the joy of the Lord.” “Perhaps some day she may reflect over what has passed,” thought Ernest, as he bade his cousin a courteous good-night; “and at least one thing is left that I can do for her still—I will never cease to pray.” CHAPTER XX. THE PERILOUS MINE. “Now at the further side of that plain was a little hill, called Lucre, and in that hill a silver mine.”—_Pilgrim’s Progress._ Next morning Charles came down to breakfast late, after his party. Clementina did not make her appearance at all. In answer to Ernest’s question, as to whether he had enjoyed himself, Charles answered quickly, “Very much indeed;” and added, that he was going to meet the Fitzwigrams again that day, at the house of a mutual friend. “I am sorry that you are to be absent another evening from me,” said Ernest; and as soon as breakfast was concluded he drew Charles aside. “I wonder at your caring to be so much with the Fitzwigrams,” said he; “of all our worldly acquaintance they seem to me the most worldly.” “There’s charity for you!” laughed Charles. “I do not wish to be uncharitable, or to judge any one,” said Ernest; “but I love you too well to be indifferent as to the friendships that you form. Your whole happiness through life may depend upon your choice.” “Well, I grant you that they are citizens of Vanity Fair; but they are very pleasant people for all that.” “Let us remember, Charles, the test which Mr. Ewart recommended to us, when we are selecting our friends. ‘Before you are intimate with any one,’ he said, ‘consider whether theirs is the society which you would wish to enjoy throughout eternity.’” “That is a very serious test, indeed; few friendships in the world would stand it. But don’t make yourself uneasy about me, Ernest. As we are to be off for Yorkshire on New Year’s day, I shall not have time to draw too close with these Fitzwigrams before we leave.” “You are not going out?” said Ernest, as Charles walked towards the stand in the hall on which were placed the gentlemen’s hats. “Yes; I’m going to buy that book for Mr. Ewart. I only hope that I may not find it sold.” “But I thought that you said yesterday that you had not the money for it?” “Yesterday I had not, but to-day I have. I had then silver in my purse, now I have gold!” “Have you received anything, then, from our uncle?” “From him! Oh, no! Do you think that he has a thought to spare from the dissolution of the Parliament, the prospects of the ministry, the progress of the canvass, and all that sort of thing?” said Charles, imitating the pompous manner of Mr. Hope.