Who knows but that it may be given even to my unworthiness to snatch him from this accursed slough ?' And then he remembered that his way home lay through the city in which the new convert's parish was--that the coach stopped there to change horses; and again the temptation leapt up again, stronger than ever, under the garb of an imperative call of duty.
He made no determination for or against it.

He was too weak in body and mind to resist; and in a half sleep, broken with an aching, terrified sense of something wanting which he could not find, he was swept down the line, got on the coach, and mechanically, almost without knowing it, found himself set down at the city of A--, and the coach rattling away down the street.
He sprang from his stupor, and called madly after it--ran a few steps-- 'You might as well try to catch the clouds, sir,' said the ostler.

'Gemmen should make up their minds afore they gets down.' Alas! so thought the vicar.

But it was too late; and, with a heavy heart, he asked the way to the late curate's house.
Thither he went.

Mr.Luke Smith was just at dinner, but the vicar was, nevertheless, shown into the bachelor's little dining-room.