s peace, that after awhile my
troubled spirit chafed in the presence of what formed such a
contrast to its own restless waywardness. When bewildered with
passion--when lost in the mazes of sin and error, we may feel
repose for an instant in prostrating ourselves at the foot of
the cross; we may wander into a church, and for a moment cool
our burning foreheads against the cold marble; but the deep
silence of the sanctuary soon grows oppressive.

"There's a tone in its voice which we fain would shun,
For it asks what the secret soul has done." *

[* From "The Revellers," by Mrs. Hemans.]

Thus it was with me with respect to Alice; and other causes
also contributed to the same effect. Henry was often in
Brookstreet, but she seldom came. Either he discouraged a
frequent intercourse between us, and threw impediments in its
way, which effectually checked it, or else it never occurred
to Alice herself to interrupt the uniform course of her daily
employments and pursuits, in order to accommodate herself to
our totally different mode of life.

We had begun going out a great deal in society, and Mrs.
Middleton proposed to Henry that Alice should do so too, and
offered to take her with us wherever we went; but he declined
this offer in the most positive manner; and when his sister
almost indignantly pressed him to explain his refusal, he said
that Alice had peculiar notions on the subject which he did
not wish to thwart.

"But we could persuade her out of those notions," persisted
Mrs. Middleton; "for surely it is a great pity for you and for
herself that she should remain a stranger to your friends and
acquaintances, while you associate with them as much as before
your marriage."

"It may be a pity, Mary," was his impatient answer, "but it is
inevitable, and you only torment me by urging me on the
subject."

Mrs. Middleton, who was not easily _put down_, after vainly
remonstrating with him upon it, entered on the question with
Alice one morning that we were calling upon her, and tried to
explain to her that for her husband's sake she should
endeavour to make friends with his friends, and to go where he
went.

Alice looked at her with surprise, and assured her that she
was perfectly ready to make acquaintance with any of Henry's
friends, or to comply with any request of his.

"Then, my dear child," replied Mrs. Middleton, "why does your
husband object to your going out with us of an evening? You
ought no