e benefit of
them.

"That was a capital lecture," the elder of the two was saying. "Cuyler
has had great advantages in his life in meeting on a familiar footing so
many of our great men. When you get thinking of these things, and of the
many men whom you would like to know intimately, what is the thought
that strikes you most forcibly?"

"That I am glad I belong to the 'royal family,' and have the opportunity
of knowing intimately and holding close personal relations with Him who
'spake as never man spake.'"

The other answered in a rare, rich tone of suppressed jubilance of
feeling.

"Exactly!" his friend said; "and when you can leave the fullness of
that thought long enough to take another, there is the looking forward
to actual fellowship and communion not only with him, but with all these
glorious men who are living here, and who have gone up yonder."

Ruth turned abruptly away. The very thought that possessed the heart of
the plain-looking man and that so annoyed her; and these two, whom to
know was an honor, were looking forward to that consummation as the
height of it all!

CHAPTER XVI.

A WAR OF WORDS.

"Well, why not?" she said, as she went slowly down the aisle. Of course
all these people would be in heaven together, and why should they not
look forward to a companionship untrameled by earthly forms and
conventionalities, and uncumbered by the body in its present dull and
ponderous state? What a chance to get into the best society! the highest
circle! real best, too, not made up of money, or blood, or dress, or any
of the flimsy and silly barriers that fenced people in and out now. Then
at once she felt her own inconsistency in growing disgusted with the
plainly-dressed, common-looking man. If he did really belong to that
"royal family," why not rejoice over it? Wasn't _she_ the foolish one?
She by no means liked these reflections, but she could not get away from
them.

"How do you do?" said a clear, round voice behind her; not speaking to
her, but to some one whom he was very glad to see, judging from his
tone. And the voice was peculiar; she had been listening to it for an
hour, and could not be mistaken; it belonged to Dr. Cuyler himself. She
turned herself suddenly. Here was a chance for a nearer view, and to see
who was being greeted so heartily. It was the little lady whose society
had been thrust upon her that morning by Flossy. And they were shaking
hands as though they were old an