continued: "While we are still
on this subject, are you aware, my child, that you could not be married
by a Jewish rabbi?"

She started perceptibly.

"I should love to be married by Doctor C----." As she pronounced the
grand old rabbi's name, a tone of reverential love accompanied it.

"I know. But you would have to take a justice as a substitute."

"A Unitarian minister would be breaking no law in uniting us, and I
think would not object to do so; that is, of course, if you had no
objection." The doctor looked at him questioningly. Levice answered by
turning to Ruth. She passed her hand over her forehead.

"Do you think," she asked, "that after a ceremony had been performed,
Dr. C---- would bless us? As a friend, would he have to refuse?"

"He would be openly sanctioning a marriage which according to the
rabbinical law is no marriage at all. Do you think he would do this,
notwithstanding his friendship for you?" returned her father. They both
looked at him intently.

"Ah, well," she answered, throwing back her head, a half-smile coming to
her pale lips, "it is but a sentiment, and I could forego it, I suppose.
One must give up little things sometimes for great."

"Yes; and this would be but the first. My children, there is something
radically wrong when we have to overlook and excuse so much before
marriage. 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof;' and why should
we add trouble to days already burdened before they come?"

"We should find all this no trouble," said Kemp; "and what is to trouble
us after? We have now the wherewithal for our happiness; what, in God's
name, do you ask for more?"

"As I have said, Dr. Kemp, we are an earnest people. Marriage is a step
not entered into lightly. Divorce, for this reason, is seldom heard
of with us, and for this reason we have few unhappy marriages. We know
beforehand what we have to expect from every quarter. No question I
have put would be necessary with a Jew. His ways are ours, and, with few
exceptions, a woman has nothing but happiness to expect from him. How am
I sure of this with you? In a moment of anger this difference of faith
may be flung in each other's teeth, and what then?"

"You mean you cannot trust me."

The quiet, forceful words were accompanied by no sign of emotion. His
deep eyes rested as respectfully as ever upon the old gentleman's face.
But the attack was a hard one upon Levice. A vein on his temple sprang
into blue prominence as he