“Pietistic books have been the bane of my life. The emotional, the rhapsodical, the meditative style of book, in which one garrulously addresses one’s soul from beginning to end, is simply torture to me. You see religion is a different thing. The rhapsody may do for the Tabernacle people, but thoughtful men and women need something different.” “I am so delighted to hear such sentiments from a clergyman! They entirely accord with my own. Still I must own that your horror struck me as novel, to say the least of it.” “Would you like me to try to proselytize you?” “You may try if you wish. I am open to conviction; but the Church of all the ages, the Apostolic, the Catholic, has a strong hold on me.” “You need not fear that I will ever try to loosen it. I only wish that I may see your face in Trinity Church every Sunday.” “That happiness shall be yours,” answered Mrs. Thornton. “As there is no Catholic church here, I will give you the honor of my presence at Trinity.” “If that is the case it will be a place of worship to me.” He smiled away the extravagance of this last remark, and she only shook her head. “That is a compliment, but it is awfully profane.” “Not profanity; say rather justifiable idolatry.” “Really, I feel overcome; I do not know what to say. At any rate, I hope you will like the book; I know you will find it pleasant.” “Any thing that comes from you could not be otherwise,” said Despard. “At the same time it is not my habit to read novels singly.” “Singly! Why how else can one read them?” “I always read several at a time.” Mrs. Thornton laughed at the whimsical idea. “You see,” said Despard, “one must keep up with the literature of the day. I used to read each book as it came out, but at last found satiety. The best novel palls. For my own comfort I had to invent a new plan to stimulate my interest. I will tell you about it. I take ten at a time, spread them on the table in front of me, and read each chapter in succession.” “Isn’t that a little confusing?” “Not at all,” said Despard, gravely. “Practice enables one to keep all distinct.” “But what is the good of it?”