Carefully, and fully, and very quietly, he explained his position in regard to his parish; but when Dr.Howe urged that Helen might observe all proper forms, and yet keep silence on what was, after all, a most immaterial difference, John roused to sudden passion.

Here was an old temptation.
"God forbid!" he said.

"Observe forms, and let her hope of spiritual life die?
No, no,--not that.

Form without soul is dead.

You must have seen that too often." "Well, I'll tell you what to do," said the rector, in his eagerness pulling his chair closer to John's, and resting his hand almost confidentially upon his knee: "if you fear her influence in your parish,--and of course I understand that,--why, give her a letter to another church." John half smiled, but did not answer.