CHAPTER VIII.
When Dr.Ledsmar finally spoke, it was in a kindlier tone than the young minister had looked for.

"I had half a notion of going to hear you preach the other evening," he said; "but at the last minute I backed out.

I daresay I shall pluck up the courage, sooner or later, and really go.

It must be fully twenty years since I last heard a sermon, and I had supposed that that would suffice for the rest of my life.

But they tell me that you are worth while; and, for some reason or other, I find myself curious on the subject." Involved and dubious though the compliment might be, Theron felt himself flushing with satisfaction.