the way.

Lady Limpenny caught the look.

"This dear young lady is sympathetic, I know, and I am sure she loves
china, and can appreciate my sacrifice. But it ought not to be a
sacrifice. It is a duty--a sacred duty."

"But is it?" Mrs. Money pleaded.

"Dearest, yes! My soul was in danger. I was in danger every hour of
breaking the first Commandment! My china was becoming my idolatry! There
was a blue set which was coming between me and heaven. I was in danger
of going on my knees to it every day. I found that my whole heart was
becoming absorbed in it! One day it was borne in upon me; it came on me
like a flash. It was the day I had been to hear Christie and Manson----"

"To hear what?" Mrs. Money asked in utter amazement.

"Oh, what have I been saying? Christie and Manson! My dear, that only
shows you the turn one's wandering sinful thoughts will take! I mean, of
course, Moody and Sankey. What a shame to confuse such names!"

"Oh, Moody and Sankey," Mrs. Money said again, becoming clear in her
mind.

"Well, it flashed upon me there that I was in danger; and I saw where
the danger lay. Darling, I made up my mind that moment! When I came home
I rushed--positively rushed--into Sir James's study. 'James,' I said,
'don't remonstrate--pray don't. My mind is made up; I'll part with all
my china.'"

"Dear me!" Mrs. Money gently observed. "And Sir James--what did he say?"

"Well," Lady Limpenny went on, with an air of disappointment, "he only
said, 'All right,' or something of that kind. He was writing, and he
hardly looked up. He doesn't care." And she sighed.

"But how good he is not to make any objection!"

"Yes--oh, yes; he is the best of men. But he thinks I won't do it after
all."

Mrs. Money smiled.

"Now, Theresa Money, I wonder at you! I do really. Of course I know what
you are smiling at. You too believe I won't do it. Do you think I would
sacrifice my soul--deliberately sacrifice my soul--even for china? You,
dearest, might have known me better."

"But would one sacrifice one's soul?"

"Darling, with my temperament, yes! Alas, yes! I know it; and therefore
I am resolved. Oh, here is Mr. Money. But not alone!"

Mr. Money entered the room, but not alone indeed, for there came with
him a very tall man, whom Minola did not know; and then, a little behind
them, Lucy Money and Victor Heron. Mr. Money spoke to Lady Limpenny, and
then, with his usual friendly warmth, to Minola; and then he presented
t