lf? Oh, Claudia, how Satan fools you!
Be rational; consider: what is it to be a countess, or even a
marchioness? It is 'distance lends enchantment to the view.' Here in
this country, where, thank the Lord, there is no hereditary rank,--no
titles and no coronets,--these things, from their remoteness, impress
your imagination, and disturb your judgment. You will not feel so in
England; there, where there are hundreds and thousands of titled
personages, your coveted title will sink to its proper level, and you
will find yourself of much less importance in London as Lady Vincent,
than you are in Washington as Miss Merlin. There you will find how
little you have really gained by the sacrifice of truth, honor, and
purity; all that is best in your woman's nature--all that is best in
your earthly, yes, and your eternal life."

"Bee, have you done?"

"No. You have given me two reasons why I think you ought not to marry
the viscount: first, because you do not love him, and secondly, because
you do love--someone else. And now I will give you two more reasons why
you should not marry him--viz., first, because he is not a good man,
and, secondly, because he does not love you. There!" said Beatrice
firmly.

"Bee, how dare you say that! What should you know of his character? And
why should you think he does not love me?"

"I feel that he is not a good man; so do you, I will venture to say,
Claudia. And I know that he marries you for some selfish or mercenary
motive--your money, possibly. And so also do you know it, Claudia, I
dare to affirm."

"Have you anything more to say?"

"Only this: to beg, to pray, to urge you not to sin--not to debase
yourself! Oh, Claudia, if loving Ishmael as you profess to do, and
loathing the viscount as you confess you do, and knowing that he cares
nothing for you, you still marry him for his title and his rank, as you
admit you will--Claudia! Claudia! in the pure sight of angels you will
be more guilty, and less pardonable than the poor lost creatures of the
pavement, whose shadow you would scarcely allow to fall across your
path!"

"Bee, you insult, you offend, you madden me! If this be so--if you speak
the truth--I cannot help it, and I do not care. I am ambitious. If I
immolate all my womanly feelings to become a peeress, it is as I would
certainly and ruthlessly destroy everything that stood in my way to
become a queen, if that were possible."

"Good heavens, Claudia! are you then really a