dge; but between a man and his
wife infidelity to marriage vows is not as hard on the wife as it is
on the husband. I am speaking now, Yanna, as the sin affects daily
life."

"Oh, what must I do? What must I do?"

"You must be patient and forgiving. If the Holy One, in whose sight
heaven itself is impure, can bear with Harry, can you not also bear?
Have you fulfilled the seventy-and-seven times given for a brother's
forbearance, and was there any limit given for a wife's forbearance?
Has Harry yet done a wrong that your pardon cannot reach? Are you more
strict to mark his offences than his Maker is? To be sure, you are
blameless where Harry is guilty, but, oh, Yanna! is chastity the only
conjugal virtue? Where are charity, patience, sweet temper,
cheerfulness? In these pleasant home virtues have you never failed? My
dear one, there is an egotism of wifely sorrow that drives a man to
sin. Your mother made me unhappy very often with just such jealous
affection."

"You are very hard, father. I thought you would stand by me."

"Not yet, not yet, Yanna! You must stand for yourself; stand on your
own merits, your beauty, your rights; stand on Harry's love for you,
and your great, patient love for him; stand on your faith in God, your
desires for the happiness of others, and your measureless charity for
all. Oh, Adriana, when a wife cannot lean on her husband, she must
stand alone until she can! Interferers only bring sorrow."

"It is all so dark and void and lonely, father."

"Put your hand out into the darkness, and you will find _The Hand_
that you can safely clasp; that will lead you and Harry into confident
and satisfied affection. There is much good in Harry; there are many
years of great love and happiness in store for you both, if you,
Yanna, do not get weary in well-doing. Is there any sin for which a
man may not be pardoned? Is not the Gospel built on unlimited
forgiveness?"

As Peter was speaking Miss Alida entered. She looked at him, and then
at Yanna, and shrugged her shoulders with an understanding glance at
the pale, troubled woman. "Well, Cousin Peter," she said, "I am glad
to see you; but I doubt if you are the best adviser for Yanna, at this
time. Suppose you leave us a little. I have some words for my girl
that I do not want you to contradict until she has had time to think
them over." Then Peter went out, and Miss Alida set her chair down
with a vigorous little thump close to Yanna's side. "I calle