It was a rule with the Rev.George not to look at strange women; and this morning the asceticism which he thought proper to his office was unusually prominent in his thoughts.

He did not look up once while the maid conducted him through the shrubbery to the house; and he fully believed that he had not seen at the first glance that she was remarkably plain, as Susanna took care that all her servants should be.

Passing by the drawing-room, where he had been on a previous occasion, they went on to a smaller apartment at the back of the house.
"What room is this ?" he asked, uneasily.
"Missus's Purjin bodoor, sir," replied the main.
She opened the door; and the clergyman, entering, found himself in a small room, luxuriously decorated in sham Persian, but containing ornaments of all styles and periods, which had been purchased and introduced just as they had caught Susanna's fancy.

She was seated on a ottoman, dressed in wide trousers, Turkish slippers, a voluminous sash, a short Greek jacket, a long silk robe with sleeves, and a turban, all of fine soft materials and rare colors.

Her face was skilfully painted, and her dark hair disposed so as not to overweight her small head.