The Heart of Life Author:W. H. Mallock Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER VL At luncheon the Canon was taciturn; hut he ate with a vindictive vigour, as if converting the beggarly elements against their will to the service o... more »f Christian righteousness; and he afterwards set out by himself on what he said would be a ten-mile walk, treading heavily on the gravel as be started, like St. Michael trampling on the devil. " I hope, Dr. Clitheroe," said Pole, when the two men were left sitting together in the dining-room, " I hope you will find your bedroom at the farm comfortable. When we have finished our coffee, shall we go and look at it ? And if anything is wanting, we can send it down by this evening." " I am sure," answered the Doctor, " I shall find everything 1 require; bat I should like the walk. There are certain important reasons why I am anxious to have a little conversation with you." The Doctor's manner expressed such kind and serious solicitude that Pole was set wondering as to what the conversation would refer to. The farm was about a mile off. It stood half-way up a valley which slanted down to the sea, and was reached from Glenlynn most quickly by a beautiful and wooded path, which ran along the cliff-side and hung over the waves and shingle. Along this they took their way, going slowly so as to enjoy the prospect. " I suppose yon know," began the Doctor, with a little nervousness, and a tremor of feeling in his voice, " I suppose you know the kindness—the exceeding kindness—which your aunt has shown me on very many occasions. Your mother, too " The Doctor paused to clear his throat. " It is difficult to me now even to speak of all this kindness. What I wished to tell you is that in a small way—in a very small way—I have found myself able to repay it: and the way is one which nearly concerns yourself." With each ...« less