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436 there was a gasp as for breath, or a prolonged dwelling upon cer- tain syllables, which, occurring in the most animated passages, and apparently evincing the preacher's struggle with emotion, rather served to heighten the sympathy of the audience. But for the most part the original stammer was replaced by a felicitous pause—the pause as of a thoughtful reasoner, or a solemn moni- tor knitting ideas, that came too quick, into method, or chasten- ing impulse into disciplined zeal. The mind of the. preacher, thus not only freed from trammel, but armed for victory, came forth with that power which is peculiar to an original intellect— the power which suggests more than it demonstrates. He did not so much preach to his audience as wind himself through un- expected ways into the hearts of the audience; and they who heard suddenly found their hearts preaching to themselves. He took for his text, " Cast down, but not destroyed." And out of this text he framed a discourse full of true Gospel tenderness, which seemed to raise up comfort as the saving, against despair as the evil, principle of mortal life. The congregation was what is called "brilliant "—statesmen and peers, and great authors, and fine ladies—people whom the inconsiderate believe to stand little in need of comfort, and never to be subjected to despair. In many an intent or drooping face in that brilliant congregation might be read a very different tale. But of all present there was no one whom the discourse so moved as a woman, who, chanc- ing to pass that way, had followed the throng into the Chapel, and with difficulty obtained a seat at the far end; a woman who had not been within the walls of chapel or church for long years —a grim woman, in iron-gray. There she sat, unnoticed, in her remote corner; and before the preacher had done, her face was hidden behind her clasped hands, and she was weeping such tears as she had not wept since childhood.

On leaving church Darrell said little more to the Colonel than this: " Your nephew takes me by surprise. The Church wants such men. He will have a grand career, if life be spared to him." Then he sank into a reverie, from which he broke abruptly— "Your nephew was at school with my boy. Had my son lived, what had been his career?"

The Colonel, never encouraging painful subjects, made no re- joinder.

"Bring George to see me to-morrow. I shrunk from asking it before: I thought the sight of him would too much revive old sorrows, but I feel I should accustom myself to face every mem- ory. Bring him."

The next day the Colonel took George to Darrell's; but George