dyng is free from the stain of crime. He whom she
served faithfully and conscientiously ought to be the first to award the
meed of praise, but in its place there is only the bitter brand of a
life-long disgrace."

"I don't believe that even the best of men truly appreciate the value of
a pure-minded woman," said Clemence, thoughtfully. "They are too gross
and material, and I have met with very few whose society seemed to have
a tendency to elevate. In the company of the majority of men I feel a
constraint and like uttering the most commonplace remarks. Yet their
idle curiosity leads them to seek to penetrate the very 'holy of
holies' (if I may be allowed the expression) of the soul, and which they
can neither understand nor appreciate."

"Oh, child!" said the elder woman, coming to her side; "my pure-browed
darling, I pray God that you may never suffer misery like mine. I had
rather the child's dream would be realized; that you might be permitted
to follow him, though my lonely heart aches at the thought of losing
you, than that you should be dragged down to a life for which you are
not fitted. Never marry, Clemence, for you are more likely to be
wretched than happy. I have so little faith in any man that I should
fear for your future if you were to bestow your affections upon any one.
I mean to guard you well hereafter; and I am sure that there cannot be
the least possibility of your ever having met one to appreciate or
awaken a feeling of interest in your mind."

The girl did not reply to this half-uttered query, but a faint rose-tint
swept into the pale cheeks, and up to the blue-veined temples.

"But to be an old maid, Ulrica," she said a moment after, in a troubled
tone; "it is a dreary future for any woman to contemplate. It used to be
the one object of my ambition to devote my life to some good cause,
thinking that thus I might rise above worldly cares, and grow nearer
Heaven. But of late my whole being shrinks from such a course."

"It seems to me that a single woman cannot be as useful as one 'whom the
dignity of wifehood invests as with a garment.' You know there is a
stigma attached to old maids that must detract from their usefulness."

"Yes, I know," said Mrs. Hardyng; "and of late I am beginning to think
that it is, perhaps, in some cases but too well merited. Do you know,
dear, that all the spinsters of my acquaintance have got married on
their very first offer? I can't help feeling a little mortifie