the clerical profession. In due sequence I took
orders, was ordained, and began to look about
me for employment. I must observe that I
had taken a good degree, that I had succeeded
in winning a good fellowship, and that my
means were ample for my retired way of life.
By this time I had read with several young
men, and the occupation increased my income,
while it was highly interesting to me. I
once accidentally overheard our greatest Don
say, to my boundless joy: "That he heard it
reported of Silverman that his gift of quiet
explanation, his patience, his amiable temper, and
his conscientiousness, made him the best of
Coaches." May my "gift of quiet explanation"
come more seasonably and powerfully to my aid
in this present explanation than I think it will!

It may be, in a certain degree, owing to the
situation of my College rooms (in a corner
where the daylight was sobered), but it is in a
much larger degree referable to the state of my
own mind, that I seem to myself, on looking back
to this time of my life, to have been always in
the peaceful shade. I can see others in the
sunlight; I can see our boats' crews and our
athletic young men, on the glistening water, or
speckled with the moving lights of sunlit
leaves; but I myself am always in the shadow
looking on. Not unsympathetically—GOD
forbid!—but looking on, alone, much as I looked
at Sylvia from the shadows of the ruined house,
or looked at the red gleam shining through the
farmer's windows, and listened to the fall of
dancing feet, when all the ruin was dark, that
night in the quadrangle.

I now come to the reason of my quoting that
laudation of myself above given. Without such
reason: to repeat it would have been mere
boastfulness.

Among those who had read with me, was
Mr. Fareway, second son of Lady Fareway,
widow of Sir Gaston Fareway, Baronet. This
young gentleman's abilities were much above
the average, but he came of a rich family, and
was idle and luxurious. He presented himself
to me too late, and afterwards came to me too
irregularly, to admit of my being of much service
to him. In the end I considered it my duty to
dissuade him from going up for an examination
which he could never pass, and he left College
without taking a degree. After his departure,
Lady Fareway wrote to me representing the
justice of my returning half my fee, as I had
been of so little use to her son. Within my
knowledge a similar demand had not been made
in any other case, and I most freely admit that
the justice of it had not occurred to me until
it was pointed out. But I at once perceived
it, yielded to it, and returned the money.

Mr. Fareway had been gone two years or
more and I had forgotten him, when he one
day walked into my rooms as I was sitting at
my books.

Said he, after the usual salutations had
passed: "Mr. Silverman, my mother is in town
here, at the hotel, and wishes me to present you
to her."

I was not comfortable with strangers, and I
dare say I betrayed that I was a little nervous
or unwilling. For said he, without my having
spoken:

"I think the interview may tend to the
advancement of your prospects."

It put me to the blush to think that I should
be tempted by a worldly reason, and I rose
immediately.

Said Mr. Fareway, as we went along: "Are
you a good hand at business?"

"I think not," said I.

Said Mr. Fareway then: "My mother is."

"Truly?" said I.

"Yes. My mother is what is usually called
a managing woman. Doesn't make a bad thing,
for instance, even out of the spendthrift habits
of my eldest brother abroad. In short, a
managing woman. This is in confidence."

He had never spoken to me in confidence,
and I was surprised by his doing so. I said I
should respect his confidence, of course, and
said no more on the delicate subject. We had
but a little way to walk, and I was soon in his
mother's company. He presented me, shook
hands with me, and left us two (as he said) to
business.

I saw in my Lady Fareway, a handsome
well-preserved lady of somewhat large stature, with
a steady glare in her great round dark eyes that
embarrassed me.

Said my Lady: "I have heard from my son,
Mr. Silverman, that you would be glad of some
preferment in the Church?"

I gave my Lady to understand that was so.

"I don't know whether you are aware," my
Lady proceeded, "that we have a presentation
to a Living? I say we have, but in point of fact
I have."

I gave my Lady to understand that I had not
been aware of this.

Said my Lady: "So it is. Indeed, I have
two presentations; one, to two hundred a year;
one, to six. Both livings are in our county:
North Devonshire, as you probably know. The
first is vacant. Would you like it?"

What with my Lady's eyes, and what with
the suddenness of this proposed gift, I was
much confused.

"I am sorry it is not the larger presentation,"
said my Lady, rather coldly, "though I
will not, Mr. Silverman, pay you the bad
compliment of supposing that you are, because that
would be mercenary. And mercenary I am
persuaded you are not."

Said I, with my utmost earnestness: "Thank
you, Lady Fareway, thank you, thank you! I
should be deeply hurt if I thought I bore the
character."

"Naturally," said my Lady. "Always detestable,
but particularly in a clergyman. You have
not said whether you would like the Living?"

With apologies for my remissness or
indistinctness, I assured my Lady that I accepted it
most readily and gratefully. I added that I
hoped she would not estimate my appreciation
of the generosity of her choice by my flow of
words, for I was not a ready man in that respect
when taken by surprise, or touched at heart.