of the members has become like a second nature to them,
and is now, therefore, not hypocritical. Besides, think how excellent
is the domestic economy of the settlement; how active and prosperous
they are in trade and various industries. They have many practical,
temporal, as well as spiritual objects to which they devote themselves."

"I grant all that; but such immense importance is attached to little
things. Their work would be very trifling and ridiculous if attempted
on a large scale. It resembles the wonderful industry in an ant-hill,
unremitting and earnest, but petty labor. No genius is displayed.
What great men have arisen from among them? Who are the distinguished
scholars and artists which have gone forth from their ranks?"

"And how about their sufferings?" interposed the other, quickly.
"Their struggles amidst privation and misery, and persecutions of all
kinds in distant lands, for the sake of their faith, and to rescue wild
heathens from depravity and barbarism, and win them over to the
Christian religion? Do you not deem that a noble work? Consider their
admirable regulations as regards education; are they not excellent? I
look for the greatest improvement in Adele, as the result of her stay
here.--But it seems to me I have turned into the wrong street, for the
Sisters' house is certainly not here!"

"Here come some people at last," replied Alexander--"a girl with a
child. They will be able to direct us." He stepped forward to meet
the approaching figures, and with a polite greeting begged for
information. The young girl dropped a modest courtesy to the stranger,
and with downcast eyes listened to his inquiries about the way to the
Sisters' house. Then she turned to the lady, who had in the mean time
drawn near, and said courteously: "I am just going hither; may I
conduct you?"

"You would oblige us exceedingly," replied the lady, kindly.

"What a lovely Sister! It wouldn't be such a bad thing to be a Brother
here," whispered Alexander to his mother. He did not speak too low for
the sensitive ear of the girl to catch his words, for she blushed
deeply, and the rosy little mouth curled proudly and defiantly.
Visibly offended, she turned away from the gentleman, and simply saying
"Come" to the lady, walked on ahead, leading the little child by the
hand, and giving no apparent heed to the party behind.

Retracing their steps for a short distance, they turned into a side
street, and here-