those that must
govern my generation, the Not-worth-while Idea holds a very high rank;
and being myself naturally of calm and equable constitution, that new
idea made the basis of my philosophical system. But since I have become
intimate with Charles Emlyn I think there is a great deal to be said in
favour of Worth-whileism, old idea though it be. I see a man who, with
very commonplace materials for interest or amusement at his command,
continues to be always interested or generally amused; I ask myself why
and how? And it seems to me as if the cause started from fixed beliefs
which settle his relations with God and man, and that settlement he will
not allow any speculations to disturb. Be those beliefs questionable or
not by others, at least they are such as cannot displease a Deity, and
cannot fail to be kindly and useful to fellow-mortals. Then he plants
these beliefs on the soil of a happy and genial home, which tends to
confirm and strengthen and call them into daily practice; and when he
goes forth from home, even to the farthest verge of the circle that
surrounds it, he carries with him the home influences of kindliness
and use. Possibly my line of life may be drawn to the verge of a wider
circle than his; but so much the better for interest and amusement, if
it can be drawn from the same centre; namely, fixed beliefs daily warmed
into vital action in the sunshine of a congenial home."

Mrs. Braefield listened to this speech with pleased attention, and as
it came to its close, the name of Lily trembled on her tongue, for she
divined that when he spoke of home Lily was in his thoughts; but she
checked the impulse, and replied by a generalized platitude.

"Certainly the first thing in life is to secure a happy and congenial
home. It must be a terrible trial for the best of us if we marry without
love."

"Terrible, indeed, if the one loves and the other does not."

"That can scarcely be your case, Mr. Chillingly, for I am sure you could
not marry where you did not love; and do not think I flatter you when I
say that a man far less gifted than you can scarcely fail to be loved by
the woman he wooes and wins."

Kenelm, in this respect one of the modestest of human beings, shook his
head doubtingly, and was about to reply in self-disparagement, when,
lifting his eyes and looking round, he halted mute and still as if
rooted to the spot. They had entered the trellised circle through the
roses of which he had first