about Cameron were the least likely to talk to Trenholme on any subject.
His friends were not those who were concerned with the rumour; but even
when he was taxed with it, the whole truth that he knew was no apparent
contradiction. He wrote to Alec, making further inquiries, but Alec had
retreated again many miles from the post. To be silent and ignore the
matter seemed to be his only course.

Thus it happened that, because Harkness housed him in the hope of
working upon Eliza, and because Trenholme happened to have had a brother
at Turrifs Station, the strange old preacher found a longer resting
place and a more attentive hearing in the village of Chellaston than he
would have been likely to find elsewhere.




CHAPTER XI.


There was in Chellaston a very small and poor congregation of the sect
called Adventists. The sect was founded by one Miller, a native of New
York State, a great preacher and godly man, who, from study of prophecy,
became convinced that the Second Coming of the Lord would take place in
the year 1843. He obtained a large following; and when the time passed
and his expectation was not fulfilled, this body, instead of melting
away, became gradually greater, and developed into a numerous and rather
influential sect. In the year of Miller's prediction, 1843, there had
been among his followers great excitement, awe and expectation; and the
set time passed, and the prediction had no apparent fulfilment, but lay
to every one's sight, like a feeble writing upon the sands of fantasy,