nce."

The doctor had great confidence in the good sense of Lurida's friend. He
felt sure that she would not let Lurida commit herself by writing foolish
letters to the subject of her speculations, or similar indiscreet
performances. The boldness of young girls, who think no evil, in opening
correspondence with idealized personages is something quite astonishing
to those who have had an opportunity of knowing the facts. Lurida had
passed the most dangerous age, but her theory of the equality of the
sexes made her indifferent to the by-laws of social usage. She required
watching, and her two guardians were ready to check her, in case of need.

XVI

MISS VINCENT WRITES A LETTER.

Euthymia noticed that her friend had been very much preoccupied for two
or three days. She found her more than once busy at her desk, with a
manuscript before her, which she turned over and placed inside the desk,
as Euthymia entered.

This desire of concealment was not what either of the friends expected to
see in the other. It showed that some project was under way, which, at
least in its present stage, the Machiavellian young lady did not wish to
disclose. It had cost her a good deal of thought and care, apparently,
for her waste-basket was full of scraps of paper, which looked as if they
were the remains of a manuscript like that at which she was at work.
"Copying and recopying, probably," thought Euthymia, but she was willing
to wait to learn what Lurida was busy about, though she had a suspicion
that it was something in which she might feel called upon to interest
herself.

"Do you know what I think?" said Euthymia to the doctor, meeting him as
he left his door. "I believe Lurida is writing to this man, and I don't
like the thought of her doing such a thing. Of course she is not like
other girls in many respects, but other people will judge her by the
common rules of life."

"I am glad that you spoke of it," answered the doctor; "she would write
to him just as quickly as to any woman of his age. Besides, under the
cover of her office, she has got into the way of writing to anybody. I
think she has already written to Mr. Kirkwood, asking him to contribute a
paper for the Society. She can find a pretext easily enough if she has
made up her mind to write. In fact, I doubt if she would trouble herself
for any pretext at all if she decided to write. Watch her well. Don't
let any letter go without seeing it, if you can help it."