and that made us thoughtful. We both relapsed
into silent musing as we slowly proceeded up the walk; and I suppose
Milicent, by a train of associations, was led to think of her sister.

'Helen,' said she, 'you often see Esther, don't you?'

'Not very often.'

'But you have more frequent opportunities of meeting her than I have; and
she loves you, I know, and reverences you too: there is nobody's opinion
she thinks so much of; and she says you have more sense than mamma.'

'That is because she is self-willed, and my opinions more generally
coincide with her own than your mamma's. But what then, Milicent?'

'Well, since you have so much influence with her, I wish you would
seriously impress it upon her, never, on any account, or for anybody's
persuasion, to marry for the sake of money, or rank, or establishment, or
any earthly thing, but true affection and well-grounded esteem.'

'There is no necessity for that,' said I, 'for we have had some discourse
on that subject already, and I assure you her ideas of love and matrimony
are as romantic as any one could desire.'

'But romantic notions will not do: I want her to have true notions.'

'Very right: but in my judgment, what the world stigmatises as romantic,
is often more nearly allied to the truth than is commonly supposed; for,
if the generous ideas of youth are too often over-clouded by the sordid
views of after-life, that scarcely proves them to be false.'

'Well, but if you think her ideas are what they ought to be, strengthen
them, will you? and confirm them, as far as you can; for I had romantic
notions once, and--I don't mean to say that I regret my lot, for I am
quite sure I don't, but--'

'I understand you,' said I; 'you are contented for yourself, but you
would not have your sister to suffer the same as you.'

'No--or worse. She might have far worse to suffer than I, for I am
really contented, Helen, though you mayn't think it: I speak the solemn
truth in saying that I would not exchange my husband for any man on
earth, if I might do it by the plucking of this leaf.'

'Well, I believe you: now that you have him, you would not exchange him
for another; but then you would gladly exchange some of his qualities for
those of better men.'

'Yes: just as I would gladly exchange some of my own qualities for those
of better women; for neither he nor I are perfect, and I desire his
improvement as earnestly as my own. And he will improve, don't you think