not recall certain interviews in life when we
refrained from good words and did wisely; and other times when we said
good words and did foolishly? So all John said was,

"Did you tell her how to dress, Jane?"

"No. I let her look at my prettiest frocks, and she took note of what
she thought possible. I gave her an introduction to my dressmaker who is
clever enough to make anything Lucy is likely to desire. What is there
about Lucy that makes her so enchanting? While she was in my room, I
felt as if there were violets in it."

"It is the perfume of a sweet, loving life, Jane. She brought the love
of God into the world with her. Her soul was never at enmity with Him.
She would look incredulously at you, if you told her so. I wish you
would return her call--very soon, Jane."

"Oh, I certainly shall! I have fallen in love with Lucy, besides people
would talk ill-naturedly about me, if I did not."

"Would you care for that?"

"Surely. You do not think, John, that I call on the Taylors and Dobsons
and such people because I like them. I am trying to make friends and
votes for you, when you decide to take your father's place in the
House."

"Then, my dear, you are sacrificing yourself uselessly. I don't know a
Yorkshire man who would vote for any candidate for any office because he
liked him personally. I would not do so. My father never did such a
thing, and Harry, though so thoughtless and emotional, would be equally
stubborn."

"But why? Such nonsense, John!"

"No. You do not vote for yourself only; your interest is bound up with
the interests of many others. You may be voting for a generation yet
unborn. A vote is a sacred obligation."

"I am glad you have told me this. I can now drop several names from my
visiting list."

"If you think that is the right way--"

"What do you think is the right way?"

"The kind way is the right way and also the wise way."

"O John, what uncomfortable things you can think of!"

Until the great dinner at Hatton Hall was over, it formed the staple of
conversation in the neighborhood. Everyone wondered who would be there
and who would be left out. About the dinner itself there was no doubt,
for there is little variety in such entertainments. The meat and the
drink offerings are similar, and the company are bound by fashion and
commonplaces. In the days of John's father men drank heavily of red
wines and it was the recognized way for ladies to leave them awhile to
discuss thei