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Page 76
Instantly what a flutter! How they ran up to him, ambitious to get the
first salute, and to proffer the first congratulation! How gracefully
the Rev. Augustus Myrtle received each! Two or three there were (there
were reasons, doubtless) whose cheeks he kissed decorously, yet possibly
with some degree of relish. The rest had to content themselves with
shaking hands. Many and various were the compliments he received. Their
'delight to see him, how well he was looking,' and so forth.
Presently he started to leave them.
'Oh, you must not run off so soon, we shall follow you to your
_sanctum_.'
'An engagement,' replied Mr. Myrtle, glancing into the other room.
A score of handsome eyes were turned in the direction where Hiram was
seated, listening with attention, and watching everything. Discomfited
by such an array, he colored, coughed, and nervously shifted his
position. Some laughed. The rest looked politely indifferent.
'A connection of the Bennetts,' whispered Mrs. Myrtle, 'a fine young
man, immensely rich. He is to come in future to our church.'
'Ah,' 'Yes,' 'Indeed,' 'Excellent.' Such were the responses.
Meanwhile Mr. Myrtle had greeted Hiram courteously, and invited him to
his library. This was across the hall, in a room which formed a part of
the church edifice.
As Hiram followed Mr. Myrtle out of the parlor, several of the ladies
took another look at him. They could not but remark that he was finely
formed, fashionably dressed, and, thanks to Signor Alberto, of a very
graceful carriage.
The interview between Mr. Myrtle and Hiram was brief. The latter,
thoroughly tutored by his cousin, was careful to say nothing about his
previous conviction and wonderful conversion, but left Mr. Myrtle, as
was very proper, to lead in the conversation. He had previously talked
with Mr. Strang, which, with the recommendation of Mrs. Bennett, left no
doubt in his mind as to Hiram's fitness to receive confirmation.
It was very hard for him to be informed that his early baptism must go
for nothing--what time his father and mother, in their ignorance and
simplicity, brought their child to present before God, and receive the
beautiful rite of the sprinkling of water.
A dreadful mistake they made, since no properly consecrated hands
administered on that occasion. But nevertheless, Hiram is safe. Lucky
fellow, he has discovered the mistake, and repaired it in season.
'I think, Mr. Meeker, your conversations with Mr. Strang have proved
very instructive to you. Here is a work I have written, which embraces
the whole of my controversy with Mr. Howland on the true church (and
there is not salvation in any other) and the apostolic succession.
Having read and approved this,' he added with a pleasant smile, 'I will
vouch for you as a good churchman.'
Hiram was delighted. He took the volume, and was about to express his
thanks, when Mrs. Myrtle appeared at the door, which had been left open.
'My dear, I regret to disturb you, but'--
'I will join you at once,' said Mr. Myrtle, rising. This is Mr. Meeker,
a cousin of your friend Mrs. Bennett'--as if she did not know it.
Mrs. Myrtle bowed graciously, and said, with charming condescension:
'Then it is _you_ I have heard such a good report of. You are coming to
our church away from----'
'Never mind from where, my dear,' said Mr, Myrtle pleasantly, and he
bowed Hiram out in a manner which positively charmed our hero.
That evening Mr. Bennett told Hiram he had purchased a pew for
him--price sixteen hundred and fifty dollars.
'Sixteen hundred and fifty dollars,' exclaimed the other, in amazement.
'Yes.'
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