t sterilise the
pontifical--' She paused.

'The what?'

'That is my secret! Don't you see how safe it is? None but the lover
shall have his and her fate in his hands. _C'est a prendre ou a
laisser_.'

Merton was young and adventurous.

'You give me your word that your idea is absolutely safe and harmless? It
involves no crime?'

'None; and if you like,' said Miss Martin, 'I will bring you the highest
professional opinion,' and she mentioned an eminent name in the craft of
healing. 'He was our doctor when we were children,' said the lady, 'and
we have always been friends.'

'Well,' Merton said, 'what is good enough for Sir Josiah Wilkinson is
good enough for me. But you will bring me the document?'

'The day after to-morrow,' said Miss Martin, and with that assurance
Merton had to be content.

Sir Josiah was almost equally famous in the world as a physician and, in
a smaller but equally refined circle, as a virtuoso and collector of
objects of art. His opinions about the beneficent effects of vaccination
were known to be at the opposite pole from those of the intelligent
population of Bulcester.

On the next day but one Miss Martin again entertained Merton at her club,
and demurely presented him with three documents. These were Mr. Warren's
invitation, her reply in acceptance, and a formal signed statement by Sir
Josiah that her scheme was perfectly harmless, and commanded his admiring
approval.

'Now!' said Miss Martin.

'I own that I don't like it,' said Merton. 'Logan thinks that it is all
right, but Logan is a born conspirator. However, as you are set on it,
and as Sir Josiah's opinion carries great weight, you may go. But be
very careful. Have you written your lecture?'

'Here is the scenario,' said Miss Martin, handing a typewritten synopsis
to Merton.

'USE AND ABUSE OF NOVELS.

'All good things capable of being abused. Alcohol not one of these;
alcohol _always_ pernicious. Fiction, on the other hand, a good
thing. Antiquity of fiction. In early days couched in verse.
Civilisation prefers prose. Fiction, from the earlier ages, intended
to convey Moral Instruction. Opinion of Aristotle defended against
that of Plato. Morality in mediaeval Romance. Criticism of Mr.
Frederic Harrison. Opinion of Moliere. Yet French novels usually
immoral, and why. Remarks on Popery. To be avoided. Morality of
Richardson and of Sir Walter Scott. Impropriety r