'Ha! I wish he had.'
And with these words Doctor Bryerly's countenance darkened.
'Mr. Silas Ruthyn is a religious man?'
'Oh, very!' said I.
'You've seen a good deal of him?'
'No, I never saw him,' I answered.
'H'm? Odder and odder! But he's a good man, isn't he?'
'Very good, indeed, sir—a very religious man.'
Doctor Bryerly was watching my countenance as I spoke, with a sharp and anxious eye; and then he looked down, and read the pattern of the carpet like bad news, for a while, and looking again in my face, askance, he said—
'He was very near joining us—on the point. He got into correspondence with Henry Voerst, one of our best men. They call us Swedenborgians, you know; but I dare say that won't go much further, now. I suppose, Miss Ruthyn, one o'clock would be a good hour, and I am sure, under the circumstances, the gentlemen will make a point of attending.'