he answered this second application; and a less unheeding observer
than his fellow-traveller, might have noticed an increasing warmth
of hue upon his cheek, while he was uttering his reply:--

"I am called Alfred Stevens," he replied at length, the color
increasing upon his cheek even after the words were spoken. But
they were spoken. The falsehood was registered against him beyond
recall, though, of course, without startling the doubts or suspicions
of his companion.

"Alfred Stevens; there are many Stevenses: I have known several
and sundry. There is a worthy family of that name by the waters of
the Dan."

"You will find them, I suspect, from Dan to Beersheba," responded
the youth with a resumption of his former levity.

"Truly, it may be so. The name is of good repute. But what is thy
calling, Alfred Stevens? Methinks at thy age thou shouldst have
one."

"So I have, reverend sir," replied the other; "my calling heretofore
has been that of the law. But it likes me not, and I think soon to
give it up."

"Thou wilt take to some other then. What other hast thou chosen; or
art thou like those unhappy youths, by far too many in our blessed
country, whom fortune hath hurt by her gifts, and beguiled into
idleness and sloth?"