He had not forgotten the smile of amusement with which she had greeted him at the manse, and his wounded pride longed for an opportunity to pour upon her the vials of his contempt.

But somehow, in her presence, contempt would not arise within him, and he was driven into wretched silence and self-abasement.

It was, therefore, with peculiar gratitude that he turned to Mrs.Murray as to one who both understood and trusted him.
"I thank you for the books, Mrs.Murray," he began, in a low, hurried voice.

"They are just wonderful.

That Rob Roy and Ivanhoe, oh! they are the grand books." His face was fairly blazing with enthusiasm.