"I perceived no allusion to any one."

"There are plenty of others, no doubt, who did. I don't care to
speak of it just now. But you'll hear about it. I noticed three or
four turn and look at me while he was speaking. It will be a
pleasant piece of gossip; but if Mr. C--doesn't take care, I'll
make this place too hot to hold him. I'm not the one to be set up as
a target for any whipper-snapper to fire at."

"Don't get excited, friend Grant. Wait awhile. I still think there
is some mistake."

"I beg your pardon; there is no mistake about it. He meant me. Don't
I know? Can't I tell when a man points his finger at me in a public
assembly?"

In his opinion, Mr. Grant was still further confirmed, ere he
reached his home, by the peculiar way in which sundry members of the
congregation looked at him. Of course, he was considerably disturbed
on the subject; and felt a reasonable share of indignation. In the
evening, he declined attending worship as an indication of his
feelings on the subject; and he doubted not that the new preacher
would note his absence and understand the cause.

About a year prior to this time, Mr. Grant, who was a manufacturing
jeweller, was called upon by a gentleman, who desired him to make a
solid gold wedding-ring. It was to be of the finest quality that
could be worked, and to be unusually heavy. When the price was
mentioned, the gentleman objected to it as high.