from this being the truth, a meet consort
infuses life into episcopal influence and teaching.

'Should you reply in the affirmative I will at once come to see you,
and with your permission will, among other things, show you a few
plain, practical rules which I have interested myself in drawing up
for our future guidance. Should you refuse to change your condition
on my account, your decision will, as I need hardly say, be a great
blow to me. In any event, I could not do less than I have done, after
giving the subject my full consideration. Even if there be a slight
deficiency of warmth on your part, my earnest hope is that a mind
comprehensive as yours will perceive the immense power for good that
you might exercise in the position in which a union with me would
place you, and allow that perception to weigh in determining your
answer.

'I remain, my dear Lady Constantine, with the highest respect and
affection,--Yours always,

'C. MELCHESTER.'

'Well, you will not have the foolhardiness to decline, now that the
question has actually been popped, I should hope,' said Louis, when he
had done reading.

'Certainly I shall,' she replied.

'You will really be such a flat, Viviette?'

'You speak without much compliment. I have not the least idea of
accepting him.'

'Surely you will not let your infatuation for that young fellow carry you
so far, after my acquainting you with the shady side of his character?
You call yourself a religious woman, say your prayers out loud, follow up
the revived methods in church practice, and what not; and yet you can
think with partiality of a person who, far from having any religion in
him, breaks the most elementary commandments in the decalogue.'

'I cannot agree with you,' she said, turning her face askance, for she
knew not how much of her brother's language was sincere, and how much
assumed, the extent of his discoveries with regard to her secret ties
being a mystery. At moments she was disposed to declare the whole truth,
and have done with it. But she hesitated, and left the words unsaid; and
Louis continued his breakfast in silence.

When he had finished, and she had eaten little or nothing, he asked once
more, 'How do you intend to answer that letter? Here you are, the
poorest woman in the county, abandoned by people who used to be glad to
know you, and leading a life as dismal and dreary as a nun's, when an
opportunit