means; many a sectarian, especially among women is not so much the
member of a church, as the follower of an idolized man. There are
Protestant popes, whose words are bulls in their little popedoms, and
Protestant saints who, unlike those of Rome, are canonized in life by
their handful of followers."

"I think I could find a patron saint for Moodie," said Lady Mabel. "At
least I do not think he would have been startled as I was, on hearing
a minister of the Kirk, after exhausting his powers of eulogy on the
great Apostle of the Gentiles, crown his praise by likening the
prisoner Paul preaching boldly in bonds before the Roman governor, in
whose hand was his life, to John Knox, the mouth-piece of the dominant
faction, bullying a lady and his queen, a capture in their hands. This
was a strange canonization of John Knox, or a singular degradation of
St. Paul. But I see that our dinner waits us; and though this is a
charming spot, we must not linger here too long. I am sure," she
added, "that the shy and meditative stork, who left us so abruptly,
must be a deep theologian, for it was he who suggested this learned
discertation on the church."

The travelers dined here under the shade of the trees, and soon after
took horse again. Moodie threw himself into the saddle with a spirit
and activity which led Lady Mabel to say: "Your good wine, Colonel
L'Isle, has done wonders for Moodie. It carries him well through the
labors of the day."

"It seems to have cured his ailing body," said L'Isle, "but has not
mellowed his temper. He grows more crusty than ever."

"In him," said Lady Mabel, "crustiness is the natural condition, and