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304 the university, a profound theologian—an enthusiastic Church- man—filled with the most earnest sense of the pastor's solemn calling—he was thus complimentarily accosted by the Archi- mandrite of his college, " What a pity you cannot go into the Church!"

"Cannot—but I am going into the Church."

"You, is it possible? But perhaps you are sure of a living—"

"Yes—Humberston."

"An immense living, but a very large population. Certainly it is in the bishop's own discretionary power to ordain you, and for all the duties you can keep a curate. But—" Thte Don stopped short, and took snuff.

That " But " said as plainly as words could say, " It may be a good thing for you, but is it fair for the Church?"

So George Morley, at least, thought that " But " implied. His conscience took alarm. He was a thoroughly noble-hearted man, likely to be the more tender of conscience where tempted by worldly interests. With that living he was rich, without it very poor. But to give up a calling, to the idea of which he had attached himself with all the force of a powerful and zeal- ous nature, was to give up the whole scheme and dream of his existence He remained irresolute for some time; at last he wrote to the present Lord Montfort, intimating his doubts, and relieving the Marquis from the engagement which his lordship's predecessor had made. The present Marquis was not a man capable of understanding such scruples. But luckily perhaps for George and for the Church, the larger affairs of the great House of Montfort were not administered by the Marquis. The parliamentary influences, the ecclesiastical preferments, together with the practical direction of minor agents to the vast and complicated estates attached to the title, were at that time un- der the direction of Mr. Carr Vipont, a powerful member of Parliament, and husband to that Lady Selina whose condescen- sion had so disturbed the nerves of Frank Vance the artist.

Mr. Carr Vipont governed this vice-roj-alty according to the rules and traditions by which the House of Montfort had become great and prosperous. For not only ever}' state, but every great seigniorial House has its hereditary maxims of policy; not less the House of Montfort than the House of Hapsburg. Now the House of Montfort made it a rule that all admitted to be mem- bers of the family should help each other; that the head of the House should never, if it could be avoided, suffer any of its branches to decay and wither into poverty. The House of Mont- fort also held it a duty to foster and make the most of every spe-