 of Ned's, is,« said Mr.
Chester, »- and the mention of his name reminds me, by the way, that I am about
to beg the favour of a minute's talk with you alone - the only thing I object to
in it, is, that it does partake of insincerity. Now, however I may attempt to
disguise the fact from myself in my affection for Ned, still I always revert to
this - that if we are not sincere, we are nothing. Nothing upon earth. Let us be
sincere, my dear madam -«
    »- and Protestant,« murmured Mrs. Varden.
    »- and Protestant above all things. Let us be sincere and Protestant,
strictly moral, strictly just (though always with a leaning towards mercy),
strictly honest, and strictly true, and we gain - it is a slight point,
certainly, but still it is something tangible; we throw up a groundwork and
foundation, so to speak, of goodness, on which we may afterwards erect some
worthy superstructure.«
    Now, to be sure, Mrs. Varden thought, here is a perfect character. Here is a
meek, righteous, thoroughgoing Christian, who, having mastered all these
qualities, so difficult of attainment; who, having dropped a pinch of salt on
the tails of all the cardinal virtues, and caught them every one; makes light of
their possession, and pants for more morality. For the good woman never doubted
(as many good men and women never do), that this slighting kind of profession,
this setting so little store by great matters, this seeming to say, »I am not
proud, I am what you hear, but I consider myself no better than other people;
let us change the subject, pray« - was perfectly genuine and true. He so
contrived it, and said it in that way that it appeared to have been forced from
him, and its effect was marvellous.
    Aware of the impression he had made - few men were quicker than he at such
discoveries - Mr. Chester followed up the blow by propounding certain virtuous
maxims, somewhat vague and general in their nature, doubtless, and occasionally
partaking of the character of truisms, worn a little out at elbow, but delivered
in so charming a voice and with such uncommon serenity and peace of mind, that
they answered as well as the best. Nor is this to be wondered at; for as hollow
vessels produce a far more musical sound in falling than those which are
substantial, so it will oftentimes be found that
