“No more of Mr. Birch, if you please. I am committed to no one. I have decided nothing. I am as ignorant of the future as you are. I am content to let events take their course. Am I a flirt? No. I will marry no man unless I love him well enough to be his wife.” “You neither accept nor reject me.” “I do not. I hope to meet you as a friend.” “Julia, this is misery for me.” “I have told you the simple truth. I am passive. I cannot control my heart. I will obey its dictates as I shall those of my conscience.” If Dr. Lynch was not satisfied with the result of this interview, it certainly was not Julia’s fault. Nothing was decided, and the doctor joined Eugene and Dick Birch in the library without a very clear apprehension of his own position. It looked rather hopeless from one point of view, but the gates of paradise had not been closed against him. Of course he believed that Birch had all the advantage now, though it appeared that he had not been forward to avail himself of his opportunity. There was a stranger in the library when he entered--a plainly-dressed, but very good-looking lady of twenty-five. She was introduced to the doctor as Miss Thompson. “This lady is to be our new missionary,” said Eugene. “I find we need such a person.” “There is plenty for her to do,” replied the doctor, who did not appear to have much interest just then in missions or missionaries. The doctor did not say much, and in a short time took his leave. Miss Thompson was to take the place of Mary, whose approaching marriage would soon deprive the chapel enterprise of her valuable services. Eugene had spoken of the loss which would thus be involved, and Dick had mentioned this lady as one residing with his family for a brief period. She was said to be a poor girl, of excellent character and a Christian spirit, who would be glad to do anything to help herself. Dick said nothing of her antecedents; indeed, he carefully avoided telling more about her than was absolutely necessary. Eugene was not very curious, any farther than to satisfy himself that she was qualified for the position for which she was wanted. She had arrived at Poppleton while Dr. Lynch was pleading his cause before Julia. Eugene had conversed with her for half an hour. Her manners were pretty, as well as her face, and her speech was modest, and indicated intelligence. Eugene was entirely satisfied with her. “I have the buggy at the door, and I will drive Miss Thompson down to the Port and over to the Mills. I suppose you are going to The Great Bell,” said Dick. “I am; I will tell Mary to meet Miss Thompson to-morrow, and point out to her the duties of her office,” replied Eugene. “Very well. Where is Julia?” “The last I heard of her, she was with the doctor in the sitting-room.” “With the doctor!” “Between us, Dick, I think he has proposed to her, for he certainly looked like a man who had been rejected,” added Eugene, in a low tone. “I doubt whether we see him here again.”