m. And when
once he will have perceived that the brother is a partisan of the
horrible monster, is it probable that he will feel favorably disposed
towards the sister whose views harmonize with those of her brother?"

"I have done nothing to justify him in setting me down for a partisan.
I maintain strict neutrality. My purpose is to accustom the weakling to
the atmosphere of enlightenment which is fatal to all religious
phantasms. Have no fear of his growing cold towards you," proceeded he
in his customary tone of irony. "Your ever victorious power holds
him spell-bound in the magic circle of your enchantment. Besides,
Louise," continued he frowning, "I do not think I could tolerate a
brother-in-law steeped over head and ears in prejudices. You yourself
might find it highly uncomfortable to live with a husband of this
kind."

"Uncomfortable! No, I would not. I would find it exciting, for it would
become my task to train and cultivate an abnormal specimen of the male
gender."

"Very praiseworthy, sister! And if I now endeavor by means of living
illustrations to familiarize your intended with the nature of modern
intellectual enlightenment, I am merely preparing the way for your
future labors."

CHAPTER VI.

MASTERS AND SLAVES.

Under the much despised discipline of religious requirements, the child
Seraphin had grown up to boyhood spotless in morals, and then had
developed himself into a young man of great firmness of character,
whose faith was as unshaken as the correctness of his behavior was
constant.

The bloom of his cheeks, the innocent brightness of his eye, the
suavity of his disposition, were the natural results of the training
which his heart had received. No foul passion had ever disturbed the
serenity of his soul. When under the smiling sky of a spring morning he
took his ride over the extensive possessions of his father, his
interior accorded perfectly with the peace and loveliness of the sights
and sounds of blooming nature around him. On earth, however, no spring,
be it ever so beautiful, is entirely safe from storms. Evil spirits lie
in waiting in the air, dark powers threaten destruction to all blossoms
and all incipient life. And the more inevitable is the dread might of
those lurking spirits, that in every blossom of living plant lies
concealed a germ of ruin, sleeps a treacherous passion--even in the
heart of the innocent Serap