"I hope I am not keeping you from any household duties ?" "I generally enjoy my duties," Miss Notman answered.

"To-day, they have not been so agreeable as usual; it is a relief to me to have done with them.

Even my humble position has its trials." Persons acquainted with Miss Notman's character, hearing these last words, would have at once changed the subject.

When she spoke of "her humble position," she invariably referred to some offense offered to her dignity, and she was invariably ready to state the grievance at full length.

Ignorant of this peculiarity, Father Benwell committed a fatal error.