aith that will help to keep _me_ straight, and that
will hold me to the paths of right and truth without any crosses or
candles.' Then I told him that this little village of Weircombe, in its
desire for simplicity in forms of devotion, was nearer heaven than he
was. And--and I think," concluded Angus, ruffling up his hair with one
hand, "that's about all I told him!"

Helmsley gave a low laugh of intense enjoyment.

"All!" he echoed, "I should say it was enough!"

"I hope it was," said Angus seriously, "I meant it to be." And moving to
Mary's side, he took up the end of a lace flounce on which she was at
work. "What a creation in cobwebs!" he exclaimed--"Who does it belong
to, Miss Mary?"

"To a very great lady," she replied, working busily with her needle and
avoiding the glance of his eyes; "her name is often in the papers." And
she gave it. "No doubt you know her?"

"Know her? Not I!" And he shrugged his shoulders disdainfully. "But she
is very generally known--as a thoroughly bad woman! I _hate_ to see you
working on anything for her!"

She looked up surprised, and the colour came and went in a delicate
flush on her face.

"False to her husband, false to her children, and false to herself!"
went on Angus hotly--"And disloyal to her king! And having turned on her
own family and her own class, she seeks to truckle to the People under
pretence of serving _them_, while all the time her sole object is to
secure notoriety for herself! She is a shame to England!"

"You speak very hotly, sir!" said Helmsley, slowly. "Are you sure of
your facts?"

"The facts are not concealed," returned Reay--"They are public property.
That no one has the courage to denounce such women--women who openly
flaunt their immoralities in our midst--is a bad sign of the times.
Women are doing a great deal of mischief just now. Look at them fussing
about Female Suffrage! Female Suffrage, quotha! Let them govern their
homes properly, wisely, reasonably, and faithfully, and they will govern
the nation!"

"That's true!" And Helmsley nodded gravely. "That's very true!"

"A woman who really loves a man," went on Angus, mechanically fingering
the skeins of lace thread which lay on the table at Mary's side, ready
for use--"governs him, unconsciously to herself, by the twin powers of
sex and instinct. She was intended for his help-mate, to guide him in
the right way by her finer forces. If she neglects to cultivate these
finer forces--if she t