ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city.""

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"I find I must justify myself at all events,' returned Calvert, though it is a foolish affair, and not worth mentioning. I met Major Atherton as he came from here just now, and he seemed in a very ill-humour, and resolved to quarrel with me; but I was fortunate enough to calm him, and save myself from being run through with his sword.'

Calvert observed the complexion of Miriam vary as he spoke; and Mr. Grey in a tone of real concern enquired,

And what was the occasion of all this, sir?' "I really cannot tell,' said Calvert; it seemed to arise from a mere trifle, and I attributed it to some circumstance which had taken place here.'

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'I thought,' replied Mr. Grey, that Major Atherton had better principles and more command over his passions than to engage so lightly in a quarrel.'

As to that, sir,' said Calvert, carelessly, 'you know we of the church are not all of us so strict as perhaps we should be; and the Major has been in the army quite long enough to acquire high notions of honour and a love of fighting.'

'I will speak to him touching this matter,' said Mr. Grey. A word in season is "like apples of gold in pictures of silver," and a friendly admonition perchance may prove of service to him.'

'I think, sir,' said Calvert, it can be of no avail, and all will be forgotten between us in a few

days. Major Atherton is hasty but not ill-disposed, and it is very possible I may have said something to vex him.'

After this apparent frank apology and concession, which were certainly calculated to set his own disposition in a favourable point of view, Mr. Calvert immediately changed the conversation. He hoped he had said sufficient to impress the mind of Mr. Grey unfavourably towards Atherton, whose growing intimacy in the family he viewed with jealousy, and began to entertain serious apprehensions that he would eventually interfere with his plans, and supersede him in the affections of Miriam.

CHAPTER XIII.

Slunk from the cavern, and the troubled wood,
See the grim wolf; on him his shaggy foe
Vindictive fix, and let the ruffian die.

THOMSON.

MAJOR ATHERTON had quitted the house of Mr. Grey with feelings of chagrin and disappointment more keen than he had ever before experienced. It was true, in the blushing confusion of Miriam he had read nothing to reprove his presumption, or discourage his hopes; but the language of her father, too plain to be misunderstood, convinced him that he would never sanction the marriage of his daughter with one whom he considered wilfully bound in the fetters of error and superstition; and under such circumstances he could scarcely expect or even wish to attach the affections or receive the hand of Miriam. These thoughts engaged his mind as he slowly retraced his steps from the door, which he had recently entered with very different feelings; and his hand yet rested on the wicket, and his eyes lingered on the casement still faintly lighted by the blazing fire within, when he was startled by a slight touch upon his shoulder, and turning quickly round he saw Mr. Calvert standing by his side.

"What is your will with me, sir?' asked Ather

ton, in a tone of impatience which he could not at the moment repress.

To pass through the gate when you see proper to quit your hold of it,' said Calvert in his usual careless manner.

It is entirely at your service now;' returned Atherton, with recovered composure. I was not aware that I detained you from entering;' and at the same time he threw open the gate and walked on.

Calvert deliberately closed it and followed him.

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We will let it rest for the present,' he said, "though I apprehended just now you were about to bear it away as Samson did the doors of the Philistines. This seems a favourite spot with you Major; it is not the first time I have found you lingering about it.

"You do me great honour, sir,' replied Atherton, by interesting yourself so warmly in my concerns; am I to understand that you have become a spy upon my actions? or do I interrupt your own walks and arrangements?"

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'A little of both,' returned Calvert. As to the first, you well know it is desirable to learn the force and position of an adversary whom one may be called to engage; and for the second I believe we are both drawn hither by the same attraction, and it is a pity our plans should interfere.'

'I have no wish to enter into competition with you, sir,' said Atherton, haughtily; and may ask, how long I am to be favoured with your company?'

'So long as we shall find it mutually convenient and agreeable,' replied Calvert.

"You will then excuse my saying, it is now time that we should part,' returned Atherton.

'Certainly,' said Calvert, with provoking sangfroid; but as all loyal subjects of our good king, are privileged to walk in his high-way, I shall take the liberty of going, wherever it suits my pleasure.'

The manner, even more than the words of Calvert, irritated the already harassed feelings of Atherton, and stopping abruptly, he said,

'I would counsel you, to keep at my sword's length, sir, or you may have cause to repent of your temerity;' and as he spoke, he laid his hand on the hilt of his weapon.

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'Nay,' said Calvert, composedly, if two cannot walk without falling out by the way, it is indeed time to separate. If this should reach the longeared generation of Puritans, we might be put in the stocks; or perhaps be degraded from the title of gentlemen, which is a marvellously ingenious punishment of their own invention, for the special correction of all naughty grown up boys.'

And perhaps deserve it too;' returned Atherton, almost instantly repenting of his haste. "I have no wish to signalize my courage in a foolish quarrel with you; and, if I mistake not, yours was sufficiently tested, by a duel, some few years since.'

'Yes,' replied Calvert; and my sword is still