happiness. It seems to me the chances of happiness are not so
unequal in single and married-life as is generally supposed."

"You mayna be the best judge of that," said Mrs Snow, gravely.

"No, I suppose not," said Graeme, with a laugh. "But I have no patience
with the nonsense that is talked about old maids. Why! it seems to be
thought if a woman reaches thirty, still single, she has failed in life,
she has missed the end of her creation, as it were; and by and by people
begin to look upon her as an object of pity, not to say of contempt. In
this very room I have heard shallow men and women speak in that way of
some who are doing a worthy work for God and man in the world."

"My dear, it is the way with shallow men and women to put things in the
wrong places. Why should you be surprised at that?"

"But, Janet, more do it than these people. Don't you mind, the other
day, when Mrs Grove was repeating that absurd story about Miss Lester,
and I said to her that I did not believe Miss Lester would marry the
best man on the face of the earth, you said in a way that turned the
laugh against me, that you doubted the best man on the face of the earth
wasna in her offer."

"But, Miss Graeme, I meant no reflection on your friend, though I said
that. I saw by the shining of your eyes, and the colour on your cheek,
that you were in earnest, and I thought it a pity to waste good earnest
words on yon shallow woman."

"Well," said Graeme, with a long breath, "you left the impression on her
mind that you thought her right and me wrong."

"That is but a small matter. And, my dear, I am no' sure, and you canna
be sure either, that Mrs Grove was altogether wrong. If, in her youth,
some good man--not to say the best man on the face of the earth--had
offered love to your friend, are you sure she would have refused him?"

"There!--that is just what I dislike so much. That is just what Mrs
Grove was hinting with regard to Miss Lester. If a woman lives single,
it is from necessity--according to the judgment of a discriminating and
charitable world. I _know_ that is not the case with regard to Miss
Lester. But even if it were, if no man had ever graciously signified
his approbation of her--if she were an old maid from dire necessity--
does it follow that she has lost her chance in life?--that life has been
to her a failure?

"If she has failed in life; so do God's angels. Janet, if I could only
tell you half that she has