cheeks. Really
the child was wonderful! Her quietness and self-possession were in
delightful contrast with her mother's flustered solemnity. Madame
returned the smile, with restored equanimity, and felt a thrill of
artistic satisfaction.

"I am afraid Geoffrey and I hardly look at our engagement from a
business point of view!" said Elma, slowly. "It _is_ a matter of
sentiment with us, and we are not a bit ashamed of it, but I must answer
mother first. ... Mother, dear, you are shocked because Geoffrey says
he would not be good without me, but when _you_ were young, when you
were careless, and enjoyed things which you disapprove of now, was there
no good influence in your life which helped you to be strong? It may
have been a companion, or a book, or a sermon--one of a hundred things--
but when it came, weren't you thankful for it? Didn't you hold close to
it and fear lest it should go? I am Geoffrey's influence! I'm glad and
proud that it is so. If I can help him in one little way, I'd rather do
it than anything else in all the world! When he feels like that about
me, I should think it very, very wrong to give him up."

"Elma, my dear, these are specious arguments! You are deceiving
yourself, and preparing a bitter awakening! Mr Greville does not even
understand what he is promising. His ideas and yours are different as
night from day; the same words convey different meanings to you and him.
You would find as you talked together that there was a gulf between you
on every serious subject."

"No, mother, dear, there is no gulf. We agree--we always agree! I am
amazed to find how marvellously we agree," said Elma, simply.
Geoffrey's eyes flashed a look at her; a look of adoring triumph.
Madame screwed her lips on one side, and stared markedly at a corner of
the ceiling. Mrs Ramsden wrung her hands in despair.

"Elma, you pray every night to be delivered from temptation--consider
what your position would be if you married Mr Greville! Ask yourself
if you are strong enough to resist pride and selfishness, and absorption
in the things of this world. Many would say that it was a great match
for you, but I would rather see you settled in a cottage with enough
money for your daily needs. It is easier for a camel--"

Elma interrupted quickly.

"I don't think you need be afraid, mother. I love beautiful things, but
truly and honestly I believe they are good for me! It is a little
difficult to explain, b