ght his lordship, "I have her with me--I am getting on
famously."

"They would imagine right, Miss Gourlay; these principles are the result
of a deep and laborious investigation into that mysterious and
awful topic. Honest indifference has no intrigues, no elopements, no
disgraceful trials for criminal conversation, no divorces. No; your
lovers in the yoke of matrimony, when they tilt with each other, do it
sharply, with naked weapons; whereas, the worthy indifferents, in the
same circumstances, have a wholesome regard for each other, and rattle
away only with the scabbards. Upon my honor, Miss Gourlay, I am quite
delighted to hear that you are not attached to me. I can now marry upon
my own principles. It is not my intention to coax, and fondle, and tease
you after marriage; not at all. I shall interfere as little as possible
with your habits, and you, I trust, as little with mine. We shall see
each other only occasionally, say at church, for instance, for I hope
you will have no objection to accompany me there. Neither man nor woman
knows what is due to society if they pass through the world without the
comforts of religion. All flesh--ahem!--no--sufficient unto the day--as
Scripture says."

"My lord, I think marriage a solemn subject, and--"

"Most people find it so, Miss Gourlay."

--"And on that account that it ought to be exempted from ridicule."

"I perfectly agree with you, Miss Gourlay: it is indeed a serious
subject, and ought not to be sported with or treated lightly."

"My lord," said Lucy, "I must crave your attention for a few moments. I
believe the object of this interview is to satisfy you that I have given
the consent which my father required and entreated of me. But, my lord,
you are mistaken. Our union cannot take place upon your principles, and
for this reason, there is no indifference in the case, so far, at least,
as I am concerned. It would not become me to express here, under my
father's roof, the sentiments which I feel. Your own past life, my
lord--your habits, your associates, may enable you to understand them.
It is enough to say, that in wedding you I wed misery, wretchedness,
despair; so that, in my case, at least, there is no 'sentimental fraud'
committed."

"Not a bit of it, Miss Gourlay; your conduct, I say, is candid and
honorable; and I am quite satisfied that the woman who has strength of
mind and love of truth to practice this candor before marriage,
gives the best security f