me like other daughters. He thought that
it would be good for his daughter to remain without experience of those
overwhelming passions which make up the life of a woman and a man.

Phyllis went out a good deal during the week, and everywhere she found
herself looked at with interest; sometimes she found herself being
examined through a _pince-nez_ as if she were a curious specimen, and a
woman or two smiled derisively at her. She did not know what was meant
by their curiosity--their derision--until one day an old lady named Mrs.
Haddon went up to her and kissed her, saying:

"I made up my mind that I would kiss you, my dear, the first chance I
had. God bless you, my child! You have given your testimony as a woman
should, in these days of scoffing at the truth."

"Testimony?" said Phyllis, quite puzzled. Had not her father felt a
thrill of gratitude on reflecting that she had none of the qualities of
the prig about her? "Testimony?"

"You have testified to the truth, Miss Ayrton, and you shall have
your reward. You have shown that the truth is more to you than--than
love--the love of man--all that women hold sweet in life. You are right
Miss Ayrton; and all true women must love and respect you."

Phyllis turned a very brilliant color, and kept her eyes fixed on the
parquet pattern of the floor.

The dear old lady said a good deal more to her, all in praise of her act
of having given Mr. Holland his _conge_ on account of his having written
that shockingly unorthodox book.

By the end of the week Phyllis Ayrton was looked on as quite as much a
heroine for having given Mr. Holland his _conge_, as Mr. Holland was
a hero for having braved the bishop in writing the book. She wore her
laurels meekly, though she had been rather embarrassed when a ray of
intelligence appeared among the dark sayings of the dear old lady. She
could not help wondering how all the world had become possessed of the
knowledge that she had said good-by to her lover. She considered if
it were possible that Mr. Holland had spread abroad the account of her
ill-treatment of him--he would naturally allude to it as ill-treatment.
The quick judgment of Ella Linton had enabled her to perceive how
valuable to Mr. Holland was the incident of his rejection by Phyllis.
As a beginning of his persecution, its importance could scarcely be
overestimated. But it did not take Phyllis long to reassure herself
on this matter. It was, of course, Ella who had give