ristian man. What prospect is before me if I
take the advice of my friends and stay here? Work of which I am weary,
because I have long since ceased to respect it; petty malice that
strikes at me through my wife, and mortifies and humiliates her, turn
where she may. If I had only myself to think of, I might defy the worst
that malice can do. But I have Mercy to think of--Mercy, whom I love
better than my own life! Women live, poor things, in the opinions of
others. I have had one warning already of what my wife is likely to
suffer at the hands of my 'friends'--Heaven forgive me for misusing the
word! Shall I deliberately expose her to fresh mortifications?--and this
for the sake of returning to a career the rewards of which I no longer
prize? No! We will both be happy--we will both be free! God is merciful,
Nature is kind, Love is true, in the New World as well as the Old. To
the New World we will go!"

THIRD EXTRACT.

"I hardly know whether I have done right or wrong. I mentioned yesterday
to Lady Janet the cold reception of me on my return to London, and the
painful sense of it felt by my wife.

"My aunt looks at the matter from her own peculiar point of view,
and makes light of it accordingly. 'You never did, and never will,
understand Society, Julian,' said her ladyship. 'These poor stupid
people simply don't know what to do. They are waiting to be told by a
person of distinction whether they are, or are not, to recognize your
marriage. In plain English, they are waiting to be led by Me. Consider
it done. I will lead them.'

"I thought my aunt was joking. The event of to-day has shown me that she
is terribly in earnest. Lady Janet has issued invitations for one of her
grand balls at Mablethorpe House; and sh e has caused the report to be
circulated everywhere that the object of the festival is 'to celebrate
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Julian Gray!'

"I at first refused to be present. To my amazement, however, Mercy sides
with my aunt. She reminds me of all that we both owe to Lady Janet; and
she has persuaded me to alter my mind. We are to go to the ball--at my
wife express request!

"The meaning of this, as I interpret it, is that my poor love is still
pursued in secret by the dread that my marriage has injured me in the
general estimation. She will suffer anything, risk anything, believe
anything, to be freed from that one haunting doubt. Lady Janet
predicts a social triumph; and my wife's despair--not my