"I should like very much to see her. She is a generous, noble-souled girl."
"Yes; I rather think she is. Hartwell said the other day that Pauline was anxious to see you; and, since I think of it, I believe he asked me to tell you of her arrival. Now, I will wager my head that you intend to wait until she calls formally, which it is your place to do."
"Then, sir, expect immediate decapitation, for I shall go out to see her this very afternoon," replied Beulah.
"That is right, my dear child."
"Dr. Asbury, if you will not think me troublesome, I should like to tell you of some things that perplex me very much," said she hesitatingly.
"I shall be glad to hear whatever you have to say, and if I can possibly help you, rest assured I will. What perplexes you?"
"A great many things, sir. Of late, I have read several works that have unsettled my former faith, and, indeed, confused and darkened my mind most miserably, and I thought you might aid me in my search after truth."
He threw his cigar into the fire, and, while an expression of sorrow clouded his face, said, very gravely:
"Beulah, I am afraid I am one of the last persons to whom you should apply for assistance. Do the perplexities to which you allude involve religious questions?"
"Yes, sir; almost entirely."