for, really,
Miss Dalton, iu our order, sympathies are too much fettered; and I often
think it would be better that we knew more of the middle classes. When I
say this, of course I do not mean as associates, far less as intimates,
but as ingredients in the grand scheme of universal nature."

"'The no-no-noblest study of man-mankind is' what is it, sister?"

"'Man,' Scroope; but the poet intended to refer to the great aims and
objects of our being. Don't you think so, Miss Dalton? It was not man in
the little cares of everyday life, in his social relations, but man in
his destinies, in his vast future, when he goes beyond 'that bourne'--"

"From which nobody ever got out again," cackled Purvis, in an ecstasy at
the readiness of his quotation.

"'From which no traveller returns,' Scroope, is, I believe, the more
correct version."

"Then it don't mean pur-pur-pur-purgatory," gulped Scroope, who, as soon
as the word was uttered, became shocked at what he said. "I forgot you
were a Ro-Ro-Roman, Miss Dalton," said he, blushing.

"You are in error, Scroope," said Mrs. Ricketts. "Miss Dalton is one of
ourselves. All the distinguished Irish are of the Reformed faith."

"I am a Catholic, madam," said Kate, not knowing whether to be more
amused than annoyed at the turn the conversation had taken.

"I knew it," cried Purvis, in delight. "I tracked your carriage to the
D-D-Duomo, and I went in after you, and saw you at the co-co-co-co--"

"Corner," whispered Martha, who, from his agonies, grew afraid of a fit.

"No, not the corner, but the co-co-co-coufessional-confessional, where
you stayed for an hour and forty minutes by my own watch; and I couldn't
help thinking that your pec-pec-pec-peccadilloes were a good long score,
by the time it took to to to tell them."

"Thanks, sir," said Kate, bowing, and with difficulty restraining her
laughter; "thanks for the very kind interest you seem to have taken in
my spiritual welfare."

"Would that I might be suffered a participation in that charge, Miss
Dalton," cried Mrs. Ricketts, with enthusiasm, "and allowed to hold some
converse with you on doctrinal questions!"

"Try her with the posers, sister," whispered Purvis. "Hush, Scroope!
Mere opportunities of friendly discussion, nothing more I ask for, Miss
Dalton."

"Give her the posers," whispered Purvis, louder.

"Be quiet, Scroope. I have been fortunate enough to resolve the doubts
of more than one ere this. That dear ang