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160 On this account, Mrs. De Brooke, when employed in her household avocations, left the young people to amuse themselves together. The confidence she placed in Philimore gave her a satisfaction in affording her daughters an intercourse with one so moral and enlightened.

The General, influenced by the same idea, often left them to indulge in a morning's tête-à-tête with the Doctor, and often during these occasions Philimore was made the subject of their conversation. The Doctor, describing in animated terms the assistance he had already derived from his labours amongst the parishioners of the neighbourhood, failed not at the same time to extol him for the illumination which he had with so patient and affectionate a perseverance insinuated into the religious but false tenets of the Curate.

"We read, my dear sir," said the General, "that perversions of the truth, such as salvation by faith alone, predestination, and other suchlike awful heresies, have been ever attendant on the Church of Christ."

"It is unhappily the case," answered the Doctor.

"Your pious and amiable young friend," rejoined the General, "in the fair prospect he yields in his future ministerial efforts, conjoined with your own gifted attainments. Doctor, may lead you both