'He is a good deal embarrassed pecuniarily, I should say,' continued the
curate, who was rather a good man than a very well-bred one. 'He found a
difficulty--in fact it was not in his power--to subscribe generally to our
little funds, and--and objects, and I used to say to him, and I really felt
it, that it was more gratifying, such were his feeling and his power of
expression, to be refused by him than assisted by others.'
'Did papa wish you to speak to me about my uncle?' I enquired, as a sudden
thought struck me; and then I felt half ashamed of my question.
He looked surprised.
'No, Miss Ruthyn, certainly not. Oh dear, no. It was merely a conversation
between Mr. Ruthyn and me. He never suggested my opening that, or indeed
any other point in my interview with you, Miss Ruthyn--not the least.'
'I was not aware before that Uncle Silas was so religious.'
He smiled tranquilly, not quite up to the ceiling, but gently upward, and
shook his head in pity for my previous ignorance, as he lowered his eyes--
'I don't say that there may not be some little matters in a few points of
doctrine which we could, perhaps, wish otherwise.
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