306 THE VICARAGE. 



nearly expired, and that he must rejoin his regi- 

 ment in Spain. " You see," he continued, " the 

 state in which my poor Grandfather is, keeping 

 my Aunt in a constant anxiety on his account. 

 Notwithstanding her strong religious principles, 

 and natural cheerfulness of disposition, she must 

 necessarily feel depressed at the sort of life she 

 leads. Now, my dear Sir, I have long been ac- 

 quainted with your character for benevolence and 

 kindness of heart ; if, therefore, you would now 

 and then drive over to see my Aunt, and bring 

 your charming daughters with you, I should leave 

 this country with much less regret than would 

 otherwise be the case/' 



It may readily be supposed that our good Vicar 

 promised to comply with this request, and they 

 separated for the night with those cordial feelings 

 of good will, as if they had long been acquainted 

 with each other. 



Captain Neville was, indeed, one of those 

 beings whom it was impossible not to admire and 

 love. He had a frankness and openness of disposi- 

 tion, joined to good looks, and such a soundness 

 of rectitude founded on religious truth, which bad 

 example and the passions of youth had not been 

 able to undermine, that he afforded a proof that a 

 soldier may be a Christian as well as a gentleman. 

 There can be no doubt that when a young officer 

 is enabled, by applying to Him from whom alone 



