But here was the lion in his path.

"Ah, my Lord," said the priest in his sweetest tone of good humour,--and his tones when he was so disposed were very sweet,--"Ah, my Lord, this is a sight good for sore eyes.

They tould me you were to be here to-day or to-morrow, and I took it for granted therefore it 'd be the day afther.

But you're as good as the best of your word." The Earl of Scroope got off the car, and holding the priest's hand, answered the kindly salutation.

But he did so with a constrained air and with a solemnity which the priest also attributed to his newly-begotten rank.