A Knight of the Nineteenth Century

exploring remarks. Regarding himself as well acquainted with society in general, and young ladies in particular, he expected to solve the question at once, and was

fool, or else lacking in personal appearance, who does not

these traits. The yielding of women to his will and wishes had been one of the most uniform experiences of his life, and he had come to regard it as the natural order of things. Without formulating the thought in plain words, he nevertheless regarded Mrs. Arnot's kindness, by which she sought to gain a helpful influence over him, as largely

nizing remarks. Was it pride or dignity on her part, or was it mere girlish shyness? It mu

at she looked upon him as a mere clerk of low degree. To remove from her mind any

thought, "she shall see that I hav

not much cynicism in her nature. She believed that experience would soon prick the bubble of his vanity, and it was her disposition to smile rather than to sneer at absurdity in others. Besides, she w

diculou

lightly above medium height. He still believed that she was very young, however, for her figure was slight and girlish

ke her better than if she were blase. Anything but your blase girls," he observ

newspapers for a few months previous, and whose merits had formed a part of the current chit-chat of the day. Some he had heard, and others he had not, but he could talk volubly of all, an

ut she said quietly and a trifle c

now came to her niece's rescue, thinking also it would be well

r. Haldane has mentioned, we must content ourselves with simple home mu

uch music from those who make it a business to be perfect. He must have listened to th

d not heard it? This would be awkward, after

Storm Rondo will bear repetition. Besides, his criticism may be helpful,

le in her aunt's eye,

y, such as a professional might choose. On the contrary, it was simple, and quite within the capabilities of a young and well-taught girl. But it was

served. He had been talking largely and confidently of an art concerning which he

emma in his enjoyment. Two senses were finding abundant gratification at the same time, f

was naturally pleased and encouraged when she saw, instead, undisguised admiration. His previous manner had annoyed her, and she determined to show him that his super

excitement, and her blue eyes, which he had thought cold and expressionless, kindled until they became lustrous. He felt, in a way that he could n

of those impulses which often served him in the

I do, and I have been talking as if the reverse were true. I never heard anythi

h to dread and dislike. At the same time his frank, impulsive words of compliment did much to remove the prejudice which sh

and much to your credit. 'Honest

arming young lady he had ever met, though, for some reason, she still permitted him to do nearly all the talking. She bade

ool-girl or a fully fledged young lady, a child or a woman, might have kept a closer observer than himself much longer in doubt. In truth, she was scarcely the one or the other, and had many

her mother's traits with her beauty. Her parents, however, believed that, even as the garden of Eden needed to be "dressed and kept," so the nature of their child required careful pruning, with repression here an

ascendant, and the best hope for him was

ne, auntie?" Laura ask

ht trace of vexa

have induced my husband to try to give him

e improves a little on acquaintance. Is he

s. Arnot, sitting down before the fire. Laura saw that

led, auntie. Is

es

y much inter

eed. I cannot bear to give h

ls the young men you are trying to coax to be good by your winning ways, 'cases.' I don't know much ab

me a chance. Perhaps if I try to carry out your mother's figure, you will understand why I am so interested in this 'case.' If I were a physic

being quite ill myself if I could have you to take care of me. I

ions of what a man should be. I must coax them, as you say; I must disguise my medicines, and apply my remedies almost without their knowing it. I also find it true in my practice that tonics and good wholesome diet are better than all moral drugs. It seems to me that if I can bring around these giddy young fellows refining, steadying, purifying influences, I can do them more good than if I lectured them. The latter is the easier way, and many take it. It woul

ng man has bee

wrong

e?" Laura asked with a fa

is favor. He has done things which would seem to you very wrong indeed. But he is foolish and ill-trained rather than bad. He is a spoiled boy, and spoiled boys are apt to become spoiled men. I have told you

speedily led her to regard Haldane as an "interesting case," a sort of fever patient who was approaching the crisis of his dise

ou can save him? Pleas

in it I catch a glimpse of the divine image. Many think of God as looking down angrily and frowningly upon the foolish and wayward; but I see i

moment, "did any one ever tell you t

d the girl, blush

told you so t

istaken; he could no

id not notice. But when you go into society you will be told this fact so often that you will be compelled to heed it, and will soon learn the whole

should I do with it, granting that it h

nd disagreeable people that I have met, superannuated belles, who could no longer obtain their revenue of flattery, were the worst. They were impoverished, indeed.

tie, what

ecome eminent in it. Show by your manner and by words, if occasion offers, that you love and revere all that is sacred, pure, and Christian. Laura, innocent dove as you are, you know that many women beguile men to ruin with smiles. Men can be beguiled from ruin with smiles. Indeed, I think multitudes are permitted to go to destruction becau

"you wish to administer me as a sugar

a saw that her words had not been heeded. Tears were i

haps it is my fault; but I've tried-oh! how I have tried! Laura, dear, you know that I am a lonely woman; but do no

but often of her wealth, and how it might increase his leverage in his herculean labors. The young girl had the tact to reply only by a w