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Mrs Haldane and her daughters found European life so decidedly to their taste that it was doubtful whether they would return for several years The son wrote regularly to his mother, for he had accepted of the truth of Mrs Arnot's words that nothing could excuse him from the sacred duties which he owed to her As his fortunes iraceful stories, she also began to respond as frequently and sy her views of life She was at last brought to acquiesce in his plan of re at Hillaton, if not to approve of it, and after receiving one or two letters from Mrs Arnot, she was inclined to believe in the sincerity of his Christian profession She began to share in the old lady's view already referred to, that he ood society again
"Egbert is so different frohters, "that I suppose we should not judge hi as well as he ever will--as well indeed as his singularly unnatural disposition permits"
It did not occur to the lady that she was a trifle unnatural and unchristian herself in per jealousy to creep into her heart, because Mrs Arnot had wielded a power for good over her son which she herself had failed to exert
She instructed her lawyer, however, to pay to hial way of living
This ample income enabled him at once to carry out a cherished purpose, which had been for in his mind for several months, and which he now broached to Mrs Arnot
"For the last half year," he said, "I have thought a great deal over the possibilities that life offers to one situated as I am I have tried to discover where I can make my life-work, maimed and defective as it ever must be, most effective, and it has seemed to me that I could acco In this character I could naturally gain access to those who are in distress of body and mind, but who are too poor to pay for ordinary attendance There are hundreds in this city, especially little children, that, through vice, ignorance, or poverty, never receive proper attention in illness My services would not be refused by this class, especially if they were gratuitous"
"You should charge for your visits, as a rule," said wise Mrs Arnot "Never give charity unless it is absolutely necessary"