The attorney had no pleasure in doing people ill turns. But he had come to hear the distresses of his clients as tranquilly as doctors do the pangs of their patients. As he stood meditating near his window, he saw the poor vicar, with slow limbs and downcast countenance, walk under his laburnums and laurustinuses towards his little gate, and suddenly stop and turn round, and make about a dozen quick steps, like a man who has found a bright idea, towards the house, and then come to a thoughtful halt, and so turn and recommence his slow march of despair homeward. At five o'clock--it was dark now--there was a tread on the door-steps, and a double tattoo at the tiny knocker. It was the 'lawyer.' Mr. Larkin entered the vicar's study, where he was supposed to be busy about his sermon. 'My dear Sir; thinking about you--and I have just heard from an old humble friend, who wants high interest, and of course is content to take security somewhat personal in its nature. I have written already. He's in the hands of Burlington, Smith, and Company. I have got exactly 55_l._ since I saw you, which makes me all right at Dollington; and here's my check for 50_l._ which you can send--or perhaps _I_ had better send by this night's post--to those Cambridge people. It settles _that_; and you give me a line on this stamp, acknowledging the 50_l._ on account of money to be raised on your reversion. So that's off your mind, my dear Sir.' 'Oh, Mr. Larkin--my--my--you don't know, Sir, what you have done for me--the agony--oh, thank God! what a friend is raised up.' And he clasped and wrung the long hands of the attorney, and I really think there was a little moisture in that gentleman's pink eyes for a moment or two. When he was gone the vicar returned from the door-step, radiant--not to the study but to the parlour. 'Oh, Willie, darling, you look so happy--you were uneasy this evening,' said his little ugly wife, with a beautiful smile, jumping up and clasping him. 'Yes, darling, I was--_very_ uneasy; but thank God, it is over.' And they cried and smiled together in that delightful embrace, while all the time little Fairy, with a paper cap on his head, was telling them half-a-dozen things together, and pulling Wapsie by the skirts. Then he was lifted up and kissed, and smiled on by that sunshine only remembered in the sad old days--parental love. And there was high festival kept in the parlour that night. I am told six crumpets, and a new egg apiece besides at tea, to make merry with, and stories and little songs for Fairy. Willie was in his old college spirits. It was quite delightful; and little Fairy was up a great deal too late; and the vicar and his wife had quite a cheery chat over the fire, and he and she both agreed he would make a handsome sum by Eusebius.