dom concerning her. Is she such a guide as I would
choose for a young girl just entering a new sphere in life? From all I
have heard, I should judge she was somewhat over-devoted to this world
and its fashions."

Mr. Sylvester flushed painfully, but seeing that any softening of the
truth would be wholly ineffectual with this woman, replied in a candid
tone, "Ona is the same now as she was in the days of her girlhood. If
she loves the world too well she is not without her excuse; from her
birth it has strewn nothing but roses in her path."

"Humph!" came from the lips of the energetic spinster. Then with a
second stern glance at the fire, continued, "Another question, Mr.
Sylvester. Does your wife consent to receive my niece into her house,
for the indefinite length of time which you mention, from interest in
the girl herself or indeed from any motive I should judge worthy of
Paula? It is a leading question I know, but this is no time for niceties
of speech."

"Miss Belinda," replied he, and his voice was firm though his fingers
slightly trembled where they rested upon the arms of his chair, "I will
try and forget for a moment that Ona is my wife, and frankly confide to
you that any such motive on her part, as would meet with your entire
approval, must not be expected from a woman who has never fully
recognized the solemn responsibilities of life. That she will be kind to
Paula I have no doubt, that she may even learn to take an interest in
her for her own sake, is also very possible, but that she will ever take
your place towards her as guide or instructor, I neither anticipate nor
would feel myself justified in leading you to."

The look which Miss Belinda cast him was anything but reassuring. "And
yet," said she, "you will take away my darling and give her up to an
influence that can not be for good, or your glance would not be so
troubled or your lip so uncertain. You would set her young feet in a
path where the very flowers are so thick they conceal its tendency and
obscure its dangers. Mr. Sylvester you are a man who has seen life with
naked eyes, and must recognize its responsibilities; dare you take this
Paula, whom you have seen, out of the atmosphere of truth and purity in
which she has been raised, and give her over to the enervating
influences of folly and fashion? Will you assume the risk and brave the
consequences?"

As though an electric shock had touched the nerve of his nature, Mr.
Sylvester hastil