she became weary of his favourite topics, disappointed by
his want of sympathy and comprehension, fretted by his petty
disapprovals, and annoyed by his evident distaste for Mark, to whom she
turned as to one of her proper world.

At last, after many tossings, Gerard fixed upon a test. If she endured
it she would be the veritable maiden of his imagination, and they would
stand by one another, come what would; if not, he would believe that
the past had been fancy, not love, or love that had not withstood the
attractions of fashionable life. A great temperance meeting was coming
on, and Gerard, eager at once to fill the room, and to present a goodly
roll of recruits, watched anxiously for his moment, and came on Nuttie
with his hands full of bills in huge letters, and his pockets of badges.

'Excellent speakers,' he cried. 'We shall have the hall crowded.
You'll come, Ursula?'

'I don't know what Miss Mary will do. I don't think she means it.'

'Oh, if you insist, if we both insist, she will. Look at the paper--we
are to have some splendid experiences.'

Nuttie made a face. 'I've heard all about those,' she said. 'That
man,' pointing to one of the names, 'regularly rants about it; he is
like a madman.'

'He does go rather far, but it is quite necessary, as you will hear.
Oh, Nuttie, if you would only be one of us! I've brought a card! If
you would!'

'Why, what's the use, Gerard! I don't like wine, I never do drink it,
except a little claret-cup sometimes when I can't get water.'

'Then it would cost you nothing.'

'Yes, it would. It would make me ridiculous.'

'You used not to heed the sneers of the world.'

'Not for anything worth doing--but this is not.'

'It is the greatest cause of the day!' he cried, in an eager exalted
manner, which somewhat inclined her to laugh. 'Do away with alcohol
and you would do away with crime!'

'Thank you for the compliment, Gerard; I never found that the
infinitesimal drop of alcohol that I suppose there is in a tumbler of
claret-cup disposed me to commit crimes.'

'Why won't you understand me, Ursula! Can't you give up that for the
sake of saving others!'

'I wonder whom it would save.'

'Example saves! If you put on this'--taking out the badge--'how many
should you not lead at your home?'

'Just nobody! Mother and I should have a bad time of it, that's all.'

'And if you endured, what would not your testimony effect in the
household and village?'