of his childhood, confiding the simple tale of his earlier trials,--when,
amidst the wreck of fortune and in despair of fame, the Child-angel
smiled by his side, like Hope,--all renown seemed to him so barren, all
the future so dark! His voice trembled, and his countenance became so
sad, that his benignant listener, divining that around the image of Helen
there clung some passionate grief that overshadowed all worldly success,
drew Leonard gently and gently on, till the young man, long yearning for
some confidant, told him all,--how, faithful through long years to one
pure and ardent memory, Helen had been seen once more, the child ripened
to woman, and the memory revealing itself as love.

The parson listened with a mild and thoughtful brow, which expanded into
a more cheerful expression as Leonard closed his story.

"I see no reason to despond," said Mr. Dale. "You fear that Miss Digby
does not return your attachment; you dwell upon her reserve, her distant,
though kindly manner. Cheer up! All young ladies are under the
influence of what phrenologists call the organ of Secretiveness, when
they are in the society of the object of their preference. Just as you
describe Miss Digby's manner to you, was my Carry's manner to myself."

The parson here indulged in a very appropriate digression upon female
modesty, which he wound up by asserting that that estimable virtue became
more and more influenced by the secretive organ, in proportion as the
favoured suitor approached near and nearer to a definite proposal. It
was the duty of a gallant and honourable lover to make that proposal in
distinct and orthodox form, before it could be expected that a young lady
should commit herself and the dignity of her sex by the slightest hint as
to her own inclinations.