decorations. They ran and danced on together with Monsieur at their
heels, while the elders watched them with some sadness and anxiety.
Free-masonry had soon made both Mary and Mr. Dutton aware of each
other's initiation, and they had discussed the matter in all its
bearings, agreed that the man was a scoundrel, and the woman an
angel, even if she had once been weak, and that she ought to be very
resolute with him if he came to terms. And then they looked after
their young companions, and Mr. Dutton said, 'Poor children, what is
before them?'

'It is well they are both so young,' answered Mary.





CHAPTER VII.
THAT MAN.




'It is the last time--'tis the last!'--SCOTT.


Sundays were the ever-recurring centres of work and interests to the
little circle in St. Ambrose's Road. To them the church services and
the various classes and schools were the great objects and
excitements of the week. A certain measure of hopeful effort and
varying success is what gives zest to life, and the purer and higher