James, at Christine's urgent request, absented himself during this visit; but when he next called at David's, he perceived at once that all was not as had been anticipated.

David had little to say about him; Christine looked paler and sadder than ever.

Neither quite understood why.

There had been no visible break with Donald, but both father and daughter felt that he had drifted far away from them and their humble, pious life.

Donald had lost the child's heart he had brought with him from the mountains; he was ambitious of honors, and eager after worldly pleasures and advantages.