his little niece as he spoke.

"Well," said Milly, the earnest look coming into her eyes again, "I love
the Bible so much, you see. Nurse tells me the stories ever so often,
and I know lots and lots of them. But I like the probable son the best.
Do you like it?"

Sir Edward replaced his cigar in his mouth and strolled on without a
reply. His little niece's words awakened very uncomfortable feelings
within his heart. Years before he had known and loved his Bible well. He
had been active in Christian work, and had borne many a scoff and jeer
from his companions when at Oxford for being "pious," as they termed it.
But there came a time when coldness crept into his Christianity, and
worldly ambition and desires filled his soul. Gradually he wandered
farther and farther away from the right path, and when he came into his
property he took possession of it with no other aim and object in life
than to enjoy himself in his own way and to totally ignore both the past
and future. Beyond going to church once on Sunday he made no profession
of religion, but that custom he conformed to most regularly, and the
vicar of the parish had nothing to complain of in the way in which his
appeals for charity were met by the squire. It is needless to say that
Sir Edward was not a happy man. There were times when he could not bear
his own thoughts and the solitude of his position; and at such times
there was a hasty departure for town, and some weeks of club life
ensued, after which he would return to his home, and engross himself in
both his literary and country occupations with fresh vigor.