“Were I one of the fathers of Rome I should say, benedicite, my children,” he said, playfully, as Herbert and Ellen, apparently in serious yet happy conversation approached and joined them, “but as I am merely a simple minister of a simple faith, I greet you with the assurance you are blessed in your charitable office.”

“And how, my kind friend, could you contrive to discover such was our employment?” replied Herbert, smiling.  “Can my mother have been betraying us?”

“Oh, she has been a sad traitress this morning, betraying all kinds of secrets and misdemeanours,” said Mr. Howard, laughing, and casting on Ellen a glance of arch meaning, while Edward could scarcely contain his impatience to seize his sister’s arm and bear her off with him.

“And we, too, have been hearing many tales of you, Mr. Howard,” she said.  “We have heard very many blessings on your name in the cottage we have left, although, alas! events have occurred there of a very painful nature.”

“And why, alas, my dear child?” said Mr. Howard, affectionately.  “Do you deem it so sad a thing to die?”

“It is wrong, I know, to regard it thus, Mr. Howard,” replied Ellen; “but yet, to leave all those we love on earth, to sever the tender cords of affection binding us unto this world, must be, even to the strongest and most pious minds, a draught of bitterness.”

“Do not, my dear children,” said Mr. Howard, “imagine I deem it wrong to indulge in earthly affections.  Far from it; they are given us to sweeten life, to draw our hearts in thanksgiving to him who gave them, and thus indulged are pleasing unto Him.  And how did you find poor Nanny to-day?” he added, after a brief pause.

“Suffering very much in body, but in a blessed state of mind,” replied Ellen, “which she greatly attributed to you; for she told me, before my aunt discovered them and placed them where they now are, before she saw you, death was a trouble awful in anticipation.  She had ever tried to do her duty in life, to remember her Maker in her youth, and believed that she had succeeded; but when she knew that she must die, all appeared changed; the aspect of death was different, when seemingly at a distance to that which it presented when near at hand.  She longed for some minister of the Lord to pray for her, to comfort her in those moments when suffering prevented serious thoughts, and it was affecting to hear her bless that charity which had not only placed her soul under your guidance, but provided also so many bodily comforts.”

“And you have been exercising the duties of the ministry before you have donned your gown, my dear Herbert,” said Mr. Howard, glancing approvingly on his young friend.  “Glad indeed shall I be to hail you as a young brother in my sacred office; for with you it will be indeed the service of the heart, and not of interest or compulsion.  Would that your friend Arthur possessed one-half of your earnest zeal, or that you could inspire him with the same love for his sacred calling which animates you.”