cotillion, and acquit myself creditably, does it ensue as an
inexorable consequence, that I shall join some strolling ballet
troupe, and out-Bayadere the Bayaderes?"

"That depends altogether upon your agility and grace. If you could
reasonably hope to rival your Hebrew namesake, I am afraid my little
girl would think it 'her duty' to dance instead of to sing, for the
acquisition of a fortune; and insist upon executing wonderful things
with her heels and toes, instead of her voice."

"You and Dr. Grey seem to have simultaneously arrived at the
charitable conclusion that my heart is pretty much in the same
condition that the Hebrew temple was, when Christ undertook to drive
out the profane. Thongs in hand you two have overturned my motives,
and, by a very summary court-martial, condemned them to be scourged
out. Now, mark you, I am neither making change nor selling doves, and
still less are you and your brother--Jesus. Dr. Grey does me the honor
to indulge a chronic skepticism concerning the possibility of any good
and unselfish impulse in my nature, and I am sorry to see that you
have caught the contagious doubt of me, and of my motives."

She began the sentence in a challenging, sneering voice, but it was
ended in a lower and faltering tone.

"While in the light of her large angry eyes,
Uprose and rose a slow imperious sorrow."

"My dear, don't attempt to whip Ulpian over my shoulders. You know
very well that I have invested in you an amount of faith that the
united censure of the world cannot shake; and if Ulpian does not
follow my example, whose fault is it, I should be glad to know?
Evidently not his,--certainly not mine,--but undoubtedly yours. I have
noticed that you took extraordinary care and a very peculiar pleasure
in making him believe you much worse in all respects than you really
are; and since you have labored so industriously to lower yourself in
his estimation, it would be a poor compliment to your skill and energy
if I told you that you had not entirely succeeded in your rather
remarkable aim. Before he came home you were as contented, and
amiable, and happy, as my old cat there on the rug; but Ulpian's
appearance affected you as the entrance of a dog does my maltese, who
arches her back, and growls, and claws, as long as he is in sight. I
am truly sorry you two could never agree, but I feel bound to tell you
that you have only yourself to blame. I do not claim that my
sailor-boy is a saint,