‘To waltz?’ exclaimed Hiram, in horror.  ’No.  I don’t even know how to dance; I was taught to believe it sinful.  As to waltzing, how can you ask me if I practise such a disgusting, such an immoral style of performance, invented by infidel German students to give additional zest to their orgies.’

‘Did Dr. Chellis tell you that,’ said Mr. Bennett, with something like a sneer.

‘No; I read it in the Christian Herald.’

‘I thought so.  Dr. Chellis has too much sense to utter such stuff.’

‘Does Mr. Myrtle approve of waltzing?’ inquired Hiram, with a groan.

’Hiram, don’t be a goose.  Of course, Mr. Myrtle does not exactly approve of it.  That is, he don’t waltz himself, his wife don’t waltz, and his children are not old enough; but he does not object to any ‘rational amusement,’ and he leaves his congregation to decide what is rational.’

‘Well, I shall not waltz, that’s certain.’

’Yes you will, too.  The girl you are to marry—­the girl who has a clear two hundred thousand in her own right—­she waltzes, and you have got to waltz.’

Hiram’s head swam, as if already giddy in the revolving maze; but it was the thought of the two hundred thousand dollars, nothing else, which turned his brain.  The color in his face went and came; he hesitated.

‘I will think of it,’ at last he ejaculated.

‘Of course you will,’ cried Mr. Bennett, ’of course you will, and decide like a sensible man afterward, not like an idiot; but you must decide quick, for I must put you in training for the fall campaign.’

‘What do you mean?’

’Why, simply this; the girl will not look at you unless you are a fashionable fellow—­don’t put on any more wry faces, but think of the prize—­and I must have you well up in all the accomplishments.  For the rest, you are what I call, a finely-formed, good-looking, and rather graceful fellow, if you are my cousin.’

Hiram’s features relaxed.

‘When can I call on Mr. Myrtle?’ he asked.

’Not for several weeks.  He is taking a longer vacation than usual.  However, come with me every Sunday, and you will hear Mr. Strang, our curate, who officiates in Mr. Myrtle’s absence.  A most excellent man, and a very fair preacher.’

‘Have you a Sunday school connected with the church?’

’Do you think we are heathen, Hiram?  Have we a Sunday school?  I should suppose so!  What is more, the future Mrs. Meeker is one of the teachers,’

‘Yet she waltzes?’

‘Yet she waltzes.’

‘Well, I hope I shall understand this better by and by.’

‘Certainly you will.’

The two proceeded down town to their business.

* * * * *