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"Then--" began Maggie

"One moment, my child Yesjust so 'Express divination' No, no Ah! here we are, 'Tacit divination,even if it is openly protested that no corave sin; but it can sometinorance or a lack of certain faith' You see, my child--" he set the book back in its place "--so far as it's not fraud it's diabolical And that's an end of it"

"But do you think it's not all fraud, then?" asked the girl, paling a little

He laughed again, with a resonance that warmed her heart

"I should pay just no attention to it all Tell hirave sin for hi that the devil's in everything"

Maggie was puzzled

"Then it's not the devil?" she asked--"at least not in this case, you think?"

He sly

"I should suspect it was a clever trick," he said "I don't think Master Laurie's likely to get mixed up with the devil in that way There's plenty of easier ways than that"

"Do you think I should write to Mr Cathcart?"

"Just as you like He's a convert, isn't he? I believe I've heard his nah I should suspect not ie was silent

"Just tell Master Laurie not to play tricks," said the priest "He's got a good, sensible friend in Mr Morton I can see that And don't trouble your head too one, he went out to finish his cigar, and found to his pleasure that it was still alight, and after a puff or two it went very well

He thought about his interview for a few ht winter air It explained a good deal He had begun to be a little anxious about this boy It was not that Laurie had actually neglected his religion while at Stantons; he was always in his place at mass on Sundays, and even, very occasionally, on weekdays as well And he had had a inning of the previous year, there had been an air about hi