e which she would be called upon to
shed as the wife of Peter Steinmarc. "Of course," continued Madame
Staubach, "a wife should love her husband."

"But I could not love Peter Steinmarc."

"Will you listen to me? How can you understand me if you will not
listen to me? A wife should love her husband. But young women, such
as I see them to be, because they have been so instructed, want to
have something soft and delicate; a creature without a single serious
thought, who is chosen because his cheek is red and his hair is soft;
because he can dance, and speak vain, meaningless words; because
he makes love, as the foolish parlance of the world goes. And we
see what comes of such lovemaking. Oh, Linda! God forbid that you
should fall into that snare! If you will think of it, what is it but
harlotry?"

"Aunt Charlotte, do not say such horrible things."

"A woman when she becomes a man's wife should see, above all things,
that she is not tempted by the devil after this fashion. Remember,
Linda, how he goeth about,--ever after our souls,--like a roaring
lion. And it is in this way specially that he goeth about after the
souls of young women."

"But why do you say those things to me?"

"It is to you only that I can say them. I would so speak to all young
women, if it were given me to speak to more than to one. You talk of
love."

"No, aunt; never. I do not talk--of love."

"Young women do, and think of it, not knowing what love for their
husband should mean. A woman should revere her husband and obey him,
and be subject to him in everything." Was it supposed, Linda thought,
that she should revere such a being as Peter Steinmarc? What could be
her aunt's idea of reverence? "If she does that, she will love him
also."

"Yes,--if she does," said Linda.

"And will not this be much more likely, if the husband be older than
his wife?"

"A year or two," said Linda, timidly.

"Not a year or two only, but so much so as to make him graver and
wiser, and fit to be in command over her. Will not the woman so ruled
be safer than she who trusts herself with one who is perhaps as weak
and inexperienced as herself?" Madame Staubach paused, but Linda
would not answer the question. She did not wish for such security
as was here proposed to her. "Is it not that of which you have to
think,--your safety here, so that, if possible, you may be safe
hereafter?" Linda answered this to herself, within her own bosom. Not
for security here o