and seen with
your own eyes--"

"Good heavens, Emily, how could you venture into such a place!"

"I am glad I did, and still more glad of the happy chance that brought
the inspector on the scene just at the right time. For if it is
ennobling to bring succor to the virtuous poor who live clean and frugal
lives in their humble sphere, it would be unpardonable to help such
people as these to gratify their vile proclivities."

"Yes, you're quite right, Emily! What I can't understand is how
people in a Christian community--people who have been baptized and
confirmed--can sink into such a state! Have they not every day--or, at
any rate, every Sunday--the opportunity of listening to powerful
and impressive sermons? And Bibles, I am told, are to be had for an
incredibly trifling sum."

"Yes, and only to think," added Mrs. Warden, "that not even the heathen,
who are without all these blessings--that not even they have any excuse
for evil-doing; for they have conscience to guide them."

"And I'm sure conscience speaks clearly enough to every one who has the
will to listen," Mrs. Abel exclaimed, with emphasis.

"Yes, heaven knows it does," answered Mrs. Warden, gazing straight
before her with a serious smile.

When the friends parted, they exchanged warm embraces.

Mrs. Warden grasped the ivory handle, entered the carriage, and drew her
train after her. Then she closed the carriage door--not with a slam, but
slowly and carefully.

"To Madame Labiche's!" she called to the coachman; then, turning to her
friend who had accompanied her right down to the garden gate, she said,
with a quiet smile: "Now, thank heaven, I can order my silk dress with a
good conscience."

"Yes, indeed you can!" exclaimed Mrs. Abel, watching her with tears in
her eyes. Then she hastened in-doors.

ROMANCE AND REALITY.

"Just you get married as soon as you can," said Mrs. Olsen.

"Yes, I can't understand why it shouldn't be this very autumn,"
exclaimed the elder Miss Ludvigsen, who was an enthusiast for ideal
love.

"Oh, yes!" cried Miss Louisa, who was certain to be one of the
bridesmaids.

"But Soeren says he can't afford it," answered the bride elect, somewhat
timidly.

"Can't afford it!" repeated Miss Ludvigsen. "To think of a young girl
using such an expression! If you're going to let your new-born love be
overgrown with prosaic calculations, what will be left of the ideal halo
which love alone can cast over life? That a man