last night; I came upon business to your father.'

And then he and my father began to talk about many things that
had no interest for me just then, and I began to go over again my
conversation with my father. The more I thought about it, the
more I felt that I had spoken truly about my feelings towards
Phillis Holman. I loved her dearly as a sister, but I could never
fancy her as my wife. Still less could I think of her ever--yes,
condescending, that is the word--condescending to marry me. I was
roused from a reverie on what I should like my possible wife to
be, by hearing my father's warm praise of the minister, as a most
unusual character; how they had got back from the diameter of
driving-wheels to the subject of the Holmans I could never tell;
but I saw that my father's weighty praises were exciting some
curiosity in Mr Holdsworth's mind; indeed, he said, almost in a
voice of reproach,--

'Why, Paul, you never told me what kind of a fellow this
minister-cousin of yours was!'

'I don't know that I found out, sir,' said I. 'But if I had, I
don't think you'd have listened to me, as you have done to my
father.'

'No! most likely not, old fellow,' replied Mr Holdsworth,
laughing. And again and afresh I saw what a handsome pleasant
clear face his was; and though this evening I had been a bit put
out with him--through his sudden coming, and his having heard my
father's open-hearted confidence--my hero resumed all his empire
over me by his bright merry laugh.