Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/312

 bicycle club, and we expected him here. But our friend is quite a negro, is he not?

‘Yes,’ answered Dr Fairfax; ‘he’s a Nubian by birth, and now a missionary of disestablishment! a converted heathen, and, like all converts, a zealot. His name is Babtweak—Evangelicus Trigonometrosius Babtweak; he’s very well off, and consequently well received in soceity; but how he made his money, Heaven knows.’

‘Perhaps they know better still at the opposition shop,’ suggested Lesbia. ‘I suppose he made it by preaching the gospel to the poor, and practising Baal to the rich.’

‘If that had been the case, I should hardly have known him,’ said the ex-bishop; but with a twinkle in his eye that did not escape Lesbia.

‘Not know him! Why not, Dr Fairfax? If he could, why shouldn’t he do so? Money’s money all the world over, don’t you think? And don’t you think that the world’s good word is at all times and in all places to be bought with it? What saith the wise man? Get wisdom, get understanding; but with all thy getting get riches. And again he saith,—Blessed is the sinner that converteth to much wealth the error of his ways; for he hath saved his soul from death, and he shall hide a multitude of sins.’

‘It is just as well to hide them, is it not?’ answered the ex-bishop, gazing at her with unfeigned admiration. ‘Upon my word, Miss Newman, it’s a great pity they hadn’t your assistance in compiling the New Version. You'd have smoothed over every difficulty. Meanwhile, are you ready for me to present my Nubian to you? You'll like him better than you think.’

‘Yes, but just let him finish his confab with my uncle; he’s getting some newer ideas into his fine curly pate than I can give him. I’m sorry that press of business has prevented Mr Aluminium Mountjoy from coming here to