I can start by the one o'clock train, and by ten o'clock to-night I shall be in Whitford.' 'Are you certain ?' 'If God shall please, I am certain.' 'And you will take charge of a letter?
Perhaps, too, you could see him yourself; and tell him--you see I trust you with everything-- that my fortune, his own fortune, depends on his being here to- morrow morning.

He must start to-night, sir--to-night, tell him, if there were twenty Miss Lavingtons in Whitford--or he is a ruined man!' The letter was written, and put into the vicar's hands, with a hundred entreaties from the terrified banker.

A cab was called, and the clergyman rattled off to the railway terminus.
'Well,' said he to himself, 'God has indeed blessed my errand; giving, as always, "exceeding abundantly more than we are able to ask or think!" For some weeks, at least, this poor lamb is safe from the destroyer's clutches.

I must improve to the utmost those few precious days in strengthening her in her holy purpose.

But, after all, he will return, daring and cunning as ever; and then will not the fascination recommence ?' And, as he mused, a little fiend passed by, and whispered, 'Unless he comes up to-night, he is a ruined man.' It was Friday, and the vicar had thought it a fit preparation for so important an errand to taste no food that day.