as if lying still would be the only
way to keep it, I don't think it can be altogether sound, or the 'quiet
conscience' that is meant."

"Oh, Ethel! Ethel! I have never told you what I have undergone, since I
knew my former quietness of conscience was but sleep! I have gone on in
agony, with the sense of hypocrisy and despair, because I was afraid,
for George's sake, to do otherwise."

Ethel felt herself utterly powerless to advise; and, after a kind sound
of sympathy, sat shocked, pondering on what none could answer; whether
this were, indeed, what poor Flora imagined, or whether it had been a
holding-fast to the thread through the darkness. The proud reserve was
the true evil, and Ethel prayed and trusted it might give way.

She went very amiably to Whitford with George, and gained great credit
with him, for admiring the prettiest speckled Hamburgh present; indeed,
George was becoming very fond of "poor Ethel," as he still called her,
and sometimes predicted that she would turn out a fine figure of a woman
after all.

Ethel heard, on her return, that Richard had been there; and three days
after, when Flora was making arrangements for going to church, a moment
of confidence came over her, and she said, "I did it, Ethel! I have
spoken to Richard."

"I am so glad!"

"You were right. He is as clear as he is kind," said Flora; "he showed
me that, for George's sake, I must bear with my present life, and do the
best I can with it, unless some leading comes for an escape; and that
the glare, and weariness, and being spoken well of, must be taken as
punishment for having sought after these things."

"I was afraid he would say so," said Ethel. "But you will find happiness
again, Flora dear."

"Scarcely--before I come to Margaret and to my child," sighed Flora. "I
suppose it was Mercy that would not let me follow when I wished it. I
must work till the time of rest comes!"

"And your own little Margaret will cheer you!" said Ethel, more
hopefully, as she saw Flora bend over her baby with a face that might
one day be bright.

She trusted that patient continuance in well-doing would one day win
peace and joy, even in the dreary world that poor Flora had chosen.

For her own part, Ethel found Flora's practical good sense and sympathy
very useful, in her present need of the counsel she had always had from
Margaret.

The visit to Flora lasted a fortnight, and Ethel was much benefited by
the leisure for reading and the