e-introduced by
Charlotte Bronte. Unwillingness of Lecturer to dwell on this Topic.
The Novel is now the whole of Literature. The people have no time to
read anything else. Responsibilities of the Novelist as a Teacher.
The Novel the proper vehicle of Theological, Scientific, Social, and
Political Instruction. Mr. Hall Caine, Miss Corelli. Fallacy of
thinking that the Novel should Amuse. Abuse of the Novel as a source
of mischievous and false Opinions. Case of _The Woman Who Did_.
Sacredness of Marriage. Study of the Novel becomes an abuse if it
leads to the Neglect of the Morning and Evening Newspapers. Sir
Walter Besant on the Novel. None but the newest Novels ought to be
read. Mr. W. D. Howells on this subject. Experience of the Lecturer
as a Novelist. Gratifying letters from persons happily influenced by
the Lecturer. Anecdotes. Case of Miss A--- C---. Case of Mr. J---
R---. Unhappy Endings demoralising. Marriage the true End of the
Novel, but the beginning of the happy life. Lecturer wishes her
audience happy Endings and true Beginnings. Conclusion.'

'Will _that_ do?' asked Miss Martin anxiously.

'Yes, if you don't exceed your plan, or run into chaff.'

'I won't,' said Miss Martin. 'It is all chaff, but they won't see it.'

'I think I would drop that about Popery,' said Merton--'it may lead to
letters in the newspapers; and _do_ be awfully careful about impropriety
in novels.'

'I'll put in "Vice to be Condemned, not Described,"' said Miss Martin,
pencilling a note on the margin of her paper.

'That seems safe,' said Merton. 'But it cuts out some of our most
powerful teachers.'

'Serve them right!' said Miss Martin. 'Teachers! the arrant humbugs.'

'You will report at once on your return?' said Merton. 'I shall be on
tenter-hooks till I see you again. If I knew what you are really about,
I'd take counsel's opinion. Medical opinion does not satisfy me: I want
legal.'

'How nervous you are!' said Miss Martin. 'Counsel would be rather stuck
up, I think; it is a new kind of case,' and the lady laughed in an
irritating way. 'I'll tell you what I'll do,' she said. 'I'll telegraph
to you on the Monday morning after the lecture. If everything goes well,
I'll telegraph, "Happy ending." If anything goes wrong--but it
can't--I'll telegraph, "Unhappy ending."'

'If you do, I shall be off to Callao.

'_On no condition_
_Is Extra