Mr. Durnford did not hesitate to tell his rich members what he conceived to be the just claims of the cause of God upon their wealth; and, on the evening of which we speak, he called first, for this purpose, on the aforesaid brewer, Mr. Caske. This gentleman lived in a large, square, old-fashioned, comfortable house, surrounded with its own grounds, which were extensive and well laid out. The entire premises were encompassed with a high brick wall, which might well have been supposed to hide a workhouse or a prison, instead of the paradise it actually concealed. Perhaps Mr. Caske had selected this secluded abode from an instinctive disinclination to obtrude the abundance and comfort which he had derived from the manufacture and sale of beer; perhaps he had bought this particular house simply because it was in itself such a dwelling as he desired. At any rate, there he was, with his abundance and luxury, within his encircling wall; and one was tempted to wonder whether there was as much mystery in connection with the article of his manufacture, as seemed to be associated with his place of abode.
The minister let himself in at a small door in the boundary wall, and made his way, through the grounds, to the front-door of the house.
“Mr. Caske has company to-night, sir,” said the maid who opened the door.
“Any one I know, Mary?”
“Yes, sir; Mr. Botterill and Mr. Kershaw.”
“Oh, well, I want to see them too. Where are they?”
“In the smoke-room, sir.”
“Well, show me in. It will be all right.”
As Mr. Durnford was a frequent and privileged visitor, the girl promptly complied with his request.
The smoke-room was a good-sized, comfortable apartment, furnished with every convenience that smokers are supposed to require. It looked out, by two long windows, on a wide sweep of lawn which stretched away from the end of the house. In this room, in chairs of various luxurious styles, sat Mr. Caske and his two friends. Each of the three men was smoking a churchwarden pipe; and at the elbow of each stood a little three-legged, japanned smoker’s table, on which was a stand of matches, an ash-tray, and a glass of whisky.