"Have you prayed to God to guide you in this difficulty?"

"No."

"Then seek his throne without delay; and, until you have done so, do not rashly condemn my views of this matter oakley half wire 2.0 sunglasses matte black, since I have sought for wisdom where alone it is to be found."

Henry chafed under this; but he commanded his temper, though with difficulty, and said, "Will you take a line to her from me?"

The Sister hesitated.  "I don't know whether I ought," said she.

"Oh, then the old game of intercepting letters is to be played."

"Not by me: after prayer I shall be able to say Yes or No to your request.  At present, being at a distance from my Superior, I must needs hesitate."

"Right and wrong must have made very little impression on your mind cheap oakleys ice pick sunglasses polished black, if you don't know whether you ought to take a letter to a woman from a man who has just saved her life--or not."

The lady colored highly, courtesied, and retired without a word.

Little knew enough of human nature to see that the Sister would not pray against feminine spite; he had now a dangerous enemy in the house, and foresaw that Grace would be steadily worked on through her religious sentiments.

He went away, sick with disappointment, jealousy, and misgivings, hired a carriage, and drove at once to Raby Hall.

Coventry heard of it, and chuckled inwardly.  He felt sure that in time he should wear out his rival's patience.

A week or two more, and Little named the very day for sailing.

The Assizes came on.  The Sheriff met the Judges with great pomp, and certain observances which had gone out.  This pleased the Chief Justice; he had felt a little nervous; Raby's predecessor had met him in a carriage and pair and no outriders cheap oakleys ice pick sunglasses transparent, and he had felt it his duty to fine the said Sheriff L100 for so disrespecting the Crown in his person.

So now, alluding to this, he said, "Mr. Sheriff, I am glad to find you hold by old customs, and do not grudge outward observances to the Queen's justices."

"My lord," said the Sheriff, "I can hardly show enough respect to justice and learning, when they visit in the name of my sovereign."

"That is very well said, Mr. Sheriff," said my lord.

The Sheriff bowed.

Counsel.  "What makes you think he is a clergyman?"

Witness.  "I have seen him officiate.  It was he who married me to Mr.--"  Here she caught sight of Henry, and stopped, blushing.

"What is that?" said the Judge, keenly.  "Did you say that man performed the marriage ceremony over you?"

"Yes, my lord."

"When and where was that?"

She gave the time and place.

"I should like to see the register of that parish."

"Let me save you the trouble," said the prisoner.  "Your lordship's time has been wasted enough with falsehoods; I will not waste it further by denying the truth.  The fact is, my lord replica oakley sunglasses, I was always a great churchgoer (a laugh), and I was disgusted with the way in which the clergy deliver the Liturgy, and with their hollow discourses, that don't go home to men's bosoms.  Vanity whispered, 'You could do better.'  I applied for the curacy of St. Peter's.  I obtained it.  I gave universal satisfaction; and no wonder; my heart was in the work; I trembled at the responsibility I had undertaken. Yes, my lord, I united that young lady in holy matrimony to one Frederick Coventry.  I had no sooner done it, than I began to realize that a clergyman is something more than a reader and a preacher.  Remorse seized me.  My penitence, once awakened, was sincere.  I retired from the sacred office I had usurped--with much levity, I own, but, as heaven is my witness, with no guilty intent."

The Judge, to Grace.  "Did you ever see the prisoner on any other occasion?"

Grace.  "Only once.  He called on me after my marriage.  He left the town soon after."

The Judge then turned to Grace, and said, with considerable feeling, "It would be unkind to disguise the truth from you.  You must petition Parliament to sanction this marriage by a distinct enactment; it is the invariable course, and Parliament has never refused to make these marriages binding.  Until then, pray understand that you are Miss Carden, and not Mrs. Coventry."

The witness clasped her hands above her bead, uttered a loud scream of joy cheap oakleys, and was removed all but insensible from the box.

The Judge looked amazed.  The Sheriff whispered, "Her hushand is a greater scoundrel than this prisoner."