Sunday was rainy, and Ida was deprived of the opportunity of judging
whether Miss Arnold's church behaviour was as Mr. Copeland had
portrayed it. But she was to learn how just to life another part of his
description was.
The morning, yawned through in the other apartments, passed swiftly in
hers, in reading, study, and blessed communion with her Heavenly Friend.
A low tap was heard at the door, and her "come in," answered by Miss
Arnold.
"Pray, keep your seat," said she, closing the door with a shiver, as
the cold draught from the passage blew over her; "I have ransacked the
parlor book-case in vain for Sabbath reading, and Alice said you could
probably supply me."
"My little library is at your service," said Ida, parting the curtains
before a handsome set of shelves.
"You have quite an extensive collection;" remarked Miss Arnold,
patronisingly. She did not ask her to help her in the selection, and
Ida returned to her chair. Miss Arnold pulled out one and another
slowly, so as to consume as much time as possible in the occupation.
Ida glanced up from time to time, to see what choice she made. A modest
volume, presented by Mr. Lacy, stood near the centre of the top shelf;
and she looked up once as Miss Arnold was in the act of taking it
down. She watched her with suspended breath. She read the title and
title-page, and shutting it, raised her arm to replace it; but a look
of recollection flitted over her brow, and she re-opened it--at the
fly-leaf. Ida dropped her eyes instantly to the page before her, yet
she saw as plainly as with her bodily organs of vision, that after
reading what was written there,--"Miss Ida Ross, with the regards
of M. L.," a gaze of keen inquisition rested upon herself, that the
inscription was thoughtfully examined,--then the subject matter of the
book, which was afterwards restored to its place, and with another,
selected at hazard, her visitor moved gracefully towards her. "You have
been so kind to me--to us--during our stay here, that I am encouraged
to beg an additional favor."
Her silvery voice had a new tone, and it was as if a malicious spirit
repeated to Ida,--"If you are worth winning, she is the tender,
love-beseeching girl." Hitherto, her conduct had afforded decisive
evidence that she was _not_ worth the trouble. She drove the whisperer
away and answered politely,
"I shall be happy to oblige you."
"Then may I stay with you awhile? This is such a dear, home-like nook,
and it is so dreary out of doors, and not much better down stairs, for
Alice is drowsy, and Helen invisible."
Ida would have acceded to almost any other proposition more readily,
but she submitted with forced complaisance.
"Go on with your reading. I shall retire if I interrupt you;" continued
Miss Arnold.
"I have been reading all the morning;" said Ida, seeing that the
other's book was untouched.
"And won't my talking annoy you?" cried Miss Arnold with childish
pleasure. "I have _so_ longed to know you better--to get nearer to
you! Bear with me while I say it; you are so--not exactly stern to
me--but so distant! That it was not your nature, I discovered from
your demeanor to Alice. I could not but love you for your goodness to
her; and--child that I am--I would have entreated you to care for me a
little in return--but you froze the words upon my lips. I have cried
over it after I went to bed at night. Will you not tell me truly why
you dislike me?"
The violet eyes were sparkling through tears.
"I was not aware that I was so frightful," replied Ida, smiling. "My
coldness was imaginary, or unintentional on my part, Miss Arnold."
"There!" said the beauty reproachfully; "it was 'Alice' before you had
known her a day."
"Because we were old schoolmates."
"Strangers, nevertheless. Come, _Ida_--be my friend--will you not?"
Could a false flirt copy Carry's look and tone so faithfully? and she
kneeled upon the rug, as she had done on that November night, when she
said, "Love me, Ida!" She could not resist the temptation to lay her
lips against the snowy forehead, beneath which those matchless eyes
beamed with love and gratitude. She would have recoiled as that satiric
whisper again hissed through her heart; but the soft arms were around
her--the beautiful head upon her shoulder.
"I am not the butterfly I seem, Ida; nor is the ephemera gaiety, in
which you see me floating, my proper sphere. I have not your unwavering
principle--your independence; I cannot of myself say to the world,--'I
hate your vain pageantry, and pine for a nobler life!' Often, often I
feel when the din of pleasure is loudest, that I am bound to a wheel
whose revolutions I cannot control. Show me how to be happy."
"There is but one happiness which cannot die," said Ida, with an
effort. "You do not require that I should point you to that!"
Her look of sorrowful deprecation was touching. "I know what you
mean," she replied, subduedly. "You would intimate, that professing
as I do, to be trying to lead a Christian's life, I ought to be as
familiar with the path as yourself; but I am a child--too much the toy
of impulse and fancy. I have been a pet from my infancy; have leaned
upon the judgment--abided by the decision of those I love; and you
cannot conceive of the difficulty I have in acting for myself, and in
opposition to their wishes."
This was plausible. Ida wished from her inmost soul, that she had never
heard Richard Copeland's story, which, after all, might have been
coloured, if not sketched by prejudice, or revenge for some slight to
himself. She would have taken this young girl, _his_ betrothed, to her
bosom, and soothed her fears, and stimulated her failing resolves. But
the conviction of her heartlessness was too strong upon her; and her
upright nature forbade the assumption of an appearance of confidence
she did not feel. She spoke, indeed, as freely as she could of the love
which pities and forgives our infirmities and backslidings; but Lelia
shook her head dejectedly. She "had not reached her case. I thank you,
though, and love you!" She drew her cheek down to her lips. "Have you
had much sorrow?"
"Not more than falls to the lot of many, more deserving of
exemption.--Why?"
"Your serenity is so remarkable; you seem never to have suffered."
"The ocean is calm sometimes," said Ida, unconsciously.
"That is not your emblem," rejoined Lelia. "It is mine; ruffled by
every breath--dark in storms--flashing and laughing in sunshine--always
changing, yet always the same--and, ah! who believes that there are
treasures under the waters which are worth the seeking?"
"The ocean is constant in nothing except change," said Ida.
"That is the surface!" she spoke exultingly--
"The water is calm and still below;
For the winds and waves are absent there,--
And the sands are bright as the stars that glow
In the motionless fields of upper air."
"Those are fine lines!" said Ida. They were recited with a purity of
tone and emphasis that lent them an additional charm.
"They are Percival's," was the reply. "I love poetry, if I have
not, like one of my friends, received the poetic afflatus. Ah!
Improvisatrice! did you think me ignorant of your glorious gift?"
"You honour my petty talent by a higher name than it aspires to earn.
Your informant was given to exaggeration."
"You do not ask who it was!" cried Lelia, peeping into her face. "Ah!
that blush! you surmise. Now my demure darling, how will you excuse
yourself for not having breathed his name in my hearing, when you knew
how deep my interest is in all relating to him or his connections?"
This query was ably turned; but Ida's habitual self-control saved her
from the pitfall. She would know and confess nothing.
"And you dare look in my eyes and deny one of your best friends?" said
Lelia.
"I deny no one. The merest acquaintance may have imparted this
information."
"It was not a casual acquaintance. Shall I name him?"
"If you choose," said Ida, with quickened pulsation.
"Then it was Mr.--look at me!--Mr. Germaine!"
The blood flowed regularly again. Miss Arnold's _ruse_, if such was
intended, failed signally; and Ida shortly had cause to congratulate
herself upon the equanimity she had maintained through the interview.
Leila's friendliness continued without abatement; and her predilection
for her society was openly manifested. She invited her to walk on
Monday afternoon, and was inconsolable for her refusal until Richard
Copeland offered himself as a substitute. Alice rode out with Mrs. Read
and Josephine; and Ida lay down at dusk upon a sofa, within a recess of
the parlor. She soon dropped into a light slumber; and thought that she
was dreaming still, when she heard voices, and saw, 'twixt sleeping and
waking, two figures, dimly visible in the fire-light.
"You are cruelly unjust, Richard. Why seize upon every pretext to
attack and wound one who never had an unkind thought of you?"
"Because I have no respect for you, Lelia," was the cool rejoinder.
"Your trifling is disgraceful--inhuman!"
"I never trifled with you."
"For the best of reasons--you never had the chance. You will affirm
too, that you did not design to coquet with Hilton or Sheppard."
"Their unhappiness was the fruit of their own blind folly."
"'Blind folly' it was to love a heartless woman! And this Lacy--are you
retaining him as a _corps de reserve_?"
"He is nothing to me--."
An ejaculation of extreme disgust interrupted her. "Now this is too
much! Do you think then that a solitary manoeuvre has been unnoticed by
me? that I have not divined even the motive of your altered behaviour
to Miss Ross? You have either guessed or heard what has been told
me within a day or two--that he was her lover last winter--either
discarded, or engaged to her now. Have a care! you may be foiled with
your own weapons! Adieu!" His mocking laugh rang through the room.
Lelia remained where he left her; the ruddy glare lighting up features
contorted by anger or grief. "Can it be?" she said--"But, no!" she
smiled, contemptuously. "A made-up tale to work upon my jealousy!
_That_ matters not at present--but this--yet I am not discouraged--he
is the only one!" and muttering over--"He is the only one!" she lifted
her bonnet and shawl, and carried them from the apartment. Astonishment
had chained Ida's limbs and tongue after she realised that she was
awake. She grew weak and sick at the accomplished duplicity of one so
youthful, so faultless in seeming;--the windings of her arms about
her neck--her kisses were like the coil and sting of a serpent. She
detected the artfulness of her pretended confidence; her lures to
inveigle her into some embarrassment or admission which would betray
her acquaintance with Mr. Lacy. She had suspected her then; the change
of manner followed too soon upon the recognition of the handwriting.
She rejoiced that the house was to be freed of her on the morrow. If
_he_ could be warned! but this was a prohibited subject to thought as
to words, and she was learning how to govern both. There was a soiree
that evening, and Ida had never been more happy to see company. Alice
and Lelia came together to her room to say farewell, for they were
both to start early in the morning. She tried to treat them alike, but
her regrets at losing them were addressed to Alice; and if they were
heartfelt, the sigh of relief, with which she turned the bolt after
them, was equally sincere.
The bridal festivities were not over until after Christmas, but Ida
avoided further participation in them by spending holiday week at
Mr. Dana's. She was invited expressly to meet Carry and Arthur, and,
although the precedence belonged to them, as more unfrequent visitors,
she was installed in the seat of honour as chief guest. Carry inveighed
against Mr. Read's marriage, and was anxious to learn whether it would
render her position more unpleasant. Ida thought not:--her heart said
this could hardly be, but she spoke hopefully of the wholesome check
Mrs. Read's elegant propriety would be upon Josephine's brusqueness.
"They will not agree at first, for Mrs. Read, if she does appear too
fond of her ease to contend, is not deficient in resolution; yet the
end may be mutual endurance and forbearance. In any event I shall
remain neutral. Who knows, Carry, but, unpromising as the field is, I
may do as well as suffer, even there?"
They were alone in Carry's room. "There is one subject, upon which I
wish to speak to you;" said the latter, seriously. "Has Arthur said
anything to you of himself?"
"No--not particularly."
"He was always too good for me," pursued Carry. "You need not hold up
your finger so threateningly--but for a year past, I felt that he was
growing better, while I made no progress. After we were married, I
discovered that he was in the habit of the daily study of his Bible,
and secret prayer. I did not hint that I knew it, for it was too
sacred a matter for me to touch. Ida! I suffered! he had a care which
I could not share--was ill at ease, and I must not cheer him. When
you wrote, recounting the alteration of your views and prospects, he
unsealed his heart to me. He had long sought peace, without finding
it; but latterly, had experienced a glimmering hope he feared to
divulge, so faint was it--that he was a child of God. I wept for joy
and grief--joy, for I was sure, although he was not, that he was a
Christian;--and grief at my own hardness of heart. His light has burned
brighter and brighter every day; and he is prepared now to avow it to
his friends and the world. He says your fearlessness, in declaring
your principles, filled him with shame, and urged him to emulate your
example."
Here was one sheaf--an earnest of whitening harvest. The barrenness of
opportunities for serving and honouring her Redeemer, was a troublesome
stumbling-block. Her sphere of usefulness was so limited; and she had
talents, which might be deployed to some purpose in a larger arena.
The glowing zeal of a young convert called for action. In a moment
of discontent with herself, and perhaps with her situation, she had
expressed this to Charley, who silenced her with one line--
"'They also serve, who only stand and wait.'"
The intelligence of Arthur's conversion was an unlooked-for and
refreshing element in her week's felicity. "Now, Charley, one thing
more!" she said, when they were talking it over. She seldom made a
pointed appeal, although he always took it kindly. He did not reflect
her smile--he only said, gravely;--"You cannot desire it more than I
do, Ida."
Invigorated in soul and body, and with a bounteous store of loving
memories heaped up for the time of famine, she sought her uncongenial
home. "Ah, well! it's allers been my experience that molasses and
water is mighty apt to sour, if it's kept; and it don't deceive me
now," remarked the oracular Rachel, with the decline of the honeymoon.
The metaphor was apt. Mr. Read's fondness was the saccharine that
qualified the insipidity of his wife's apathy. He had been elevated
to the seventh heaven of ecstacy, at his triumph over a host of
rivals, younger than himself. Her evident preference had incited him
to the contest, and he had no misgivings of its reality. She was "a
splendid woman!" He delighted in exhibiting her; and hearing this
from all sides, with compliments and congratulations to himself. But
this renewal of youth was evanescent. He had counted more than half
a century--she, not a quarter; and outraged nature revenged herself
for his infatuation in striving to overleap this mighty gap. She was
a "splendid woman!" that was unquestionable; but as he mounted guard,
from ten at night to two or three o'clock in the morning against the
wall of the assembly-room, waiting for her to despatch the list of
partners that covered both sides of her tablets--he tired and moped,
and stupidly wondering if the radiant creature, whose laugh came to him
with each whirl of the interminable waltz, were in truth married, and
_his_ wife! it _is_ problematical if he derived permanent consolation
from the well-timed praises of his old friends, who facetiously
inquired if he were not "jealous of his pretty bird"--or felt greatly
flattered by the fine things, comparative strangers were saying about
"his daughter." She _was_ a "splendid woman!" and she shone most at
the largest party of the winter, where everybody danced (she most
sylph-like of all) except the papas and mammas, and the "past-worthy"
chaperons. The rooms were hot:--the dancers must have air--the windows
were robbed of their sashes. Mr. Read was in a draught--what of that?
the reflection of his wife's splendor should have warmed him. _She_
was not uncomfortable;--so she glided and pirouetted and swam by in
the polka, and he shook as if he were afflicted with a dance of quite
another name. An attack of inflammatory rheumatism was the finale. His
life was in danger for awhile; and to his wife's credit, be it said,
she nursed him dutifully, if not affectionately, until he entered upon
his convalescence.
A few mornings after the doctors announced his safety, Ida observed, at
breakfast, that Mrs. Read was looking badly.
"Confinement in a sick-room does not agree with you, I fear," said
she, with interest. "We must not let you fall ill, too. Will you not
delegate one of us to represent you this forenoon, while you take a
ride?"
"Constant attendance is unnecessary," she replied. "Hereafter, I shall
not stay in doors as I have been doing. I thank you for your offer,
however. If I can avail myself of it, I will do so."
"Why did he not come down to breakfast?" asked Josephine, ironically.
"He cannot leave his bed;" was the calm reply.
"Nor turn himself in it, I believe, madam?"
"You are right."
"It must cost you a pang to surrender to another the privilege of
allaying his pains, and paying those endearing little attentions, to
which affection imparts such sweetness. How can you think of it?"
"I do not consider my health unimportant."
"Not in comparison with his?" continued Josephine, provokingly.
"The duty is not rendered less imperative by any comparison."
"The pursuit of pleasure and ease is included in this prudent care of
yourself, I presume, madam?"
"In that, as in everything else, I shall consult my own inclinations."
"I did not know that a woman had a will of her own after she married,"
retorted Josephine.
"I am not conscious of having lost my volition or free agency."
"And acting upon this unbiassed volition, you will occupy your box at
the theatre to-night. I saw a ticket upon the table in the parlor."
"I shall be there; but there will be room for you, and whatever friend
you honor by accompanying."
"And this is conjugal devotion!" the suppressed wrath boiling
over,--"After cajoling a feeble old man into marrying you, you desert
him upon a bed of languishing, where he is laid by your follies, to
flirt with your train of gallants in the most public place in the city!"
"If you have more remarks of like import to make, I will hear them in
your father's presence, Miss Read," answered the unruffled step-mother.
"Miss Ida, please excuse my withdrawing before you have finished your
breakfast."
Josephine had emphatically picked this quarrel. She had received no
provocation, and combined with this disadvantage, that of loss of
temper. Chafing with anxiety to commence the warfare she had declared,
she was too eager to wait for a pretext; and had plunged into a rash
conflict, before estimating the strength of the enemy's forces. Ida
said nothing, until she was ready to leave the room. She deemed it her
duty to speak.
"Josephine," said she, mildly, "it is not my place to dictate to you;
but as a well-wisher, I warn you not to carry this further. Constant
dissension will be the only result. She is inclined to live peaceably
with you; and she will be a dangerous, a powerful enemy."
"Have I asked your advice?" said Josephine. Her scowl dissuaded Ida
from a second remonstrance. In reckless audacity, she proceeded
straight to her father's chamber. It was pitiable to see that
gray-haired man--helpless as infancy with disease, and remember that
his frayed thread of life was entwisted with the golden cord of hers,
who had barely attained the meridian of her early womanhood.
Josephine's visits had been rare and brief, and his salutation was
surly. "To what am I indebted for this superlative pleasure?" he
inquired, stretching his upper lip across his teeth, as was his wont,
when displeased.
"If I had supposed that my presence was conducive to your comfort, no
consideration should have detained me from you sir," was the meaning
rejoinder.
He did not answer, but moved uneasily, and asked his wife for water.
The goblet was nearest Josephine, and she held it to him. "Lift my
head!" he said, fretfully, "Ugh! you hurt me! this comes of your
officiousness. Why couldn't you let _her_ do it?"
"I regret, sir, that my unskilful touch is painful," said Josephine,
"since you are to be dependent upon my cares."
"What the deuce are you talking about?" he demanded, sharply.
The slumberous eyes surveyed her listlessly over the couch.
"My speech is blunt, sir; I learned it from you, and I have an
inconvenient practice of saying what I think. Old men, who have
young and fashionable wives, should not indulge in the luxury of
sickness. What woman, who has a right appreciation of her charms, can
hesitate what course to pursue, when a decrepid husband is put in one
scale--society and a score of beaux in the other?"
His glare of impotent fury was demoniacal--he was too weak to control
it. The liquid eyes were dreamy and motionless still. The irascible old
man jerked his head so that he could see her face--"Helen! what is that
girl driving at?"
"She can best explain herself, sir."
"Speak!" he commanded, at the top of his tremulous voice.
"I hope you have made your will, sir;" said Josephine, deliberately.
"By my life, I _will_ do it, and cut you off, without a copper, if you
parley much more?"
"You virtually severed our connection two months ago, sir. A stranger
has supplanted me in your heart and house; and up to this time, I have
held my peace. This is my revenge. Your idol, having used you for her
pleasure and advancement, does not mean that this sickness, caused
by your doating indulgence, shall fetter her dainty limbs. On the
contrary, it frees her from the restraint of your observation,--the
incumbrance of your attentions."
She dropped each word slowly, purposely to aggravate his impatience,
which was now frightful. Manacled, bound down by the fiery bands of his
malady, he writhed, as upon a Procrustean bed.
"Helen! speak! tell her she lies!"
"I never reply to inuendoes, sir." The eyes were passionless as ever.
"She is gentleness and patience personified," said Josephine, "Ask
whom she will accompany to the theatre to-night and pray her,--your
faithful wife--to stay with you."
"The theatre!" he uttered. "Are you going, and with whom?"
"With Mr. and Miss Talbot;" and save that she fastened her gaze upon
him, instead of her, she looked and spoke the same.
"The 'Miss,' is an adroit addenda," sneered Josephine.
Her father was silent. His selfishness was wounded. He was angered and
mortified that his wife should consign him to the care of others and
find enjoyment in gay recreations, while he lay crippled and racked;
but he detected the spring of Josephine's interference, and pride
cried loudly that her impertinent malice should be punished. A study
of his wife's determined face settled the point. If they differed, the
mischief-maker should not know it. "Hark you!" said he, with sudden
composure. "I see your game, my lady, and you may as well throw up your
cards. I am master in my house, and there is no law against turning you
out of it. I thought I had taught you this already. I have a piece of
advice, you will do well to bear in mind. Attend to your own business,
and let your betters alone. Now, be off! and don't let me see you again
until you can behave yourself."
"I obey you, sir. If you want my services, I trust you will send for
me."
Mr. Read was awkwardly embarrassed, when left with his wife.
Domineering and stubborn as he was, she awed him. Her haughty endurance
of his foolish fondness gave him no lien upon her affections; and the
sang-froid, she had preserved under Josephine's insolence, was a bad
augury of the efficacy of reproaches. She consulted her watch, and
informed him that it was the hour for his medicine; administered it,
and shook up his pillow.
"Helen," said he, coaxingly, "are you in earnest about leaving me? What
shall I do?"
"Sarah will wait upon you. I have the utmost confidence in her
fidelity."
"But what is a servant's nursing, after yours?"
"It is a pity you entertain this repugnance to every one's attentions
but mine. My health and spirits are injured by fatigue and want of
rest. You are recovering, there is no absolute necessity for my
remaining with you; and it _is_ necessary that I should take care of
myself. We had best suspend this discussion, Mr. Read. You have been
too much excited this morning; and arguments are useless, as my plans
are made."
And "my plans are made" became the law of the household,--Josephine
excepted, who had her schemes also. There was an ominous calm. Mr.
Read mended gradually. His daughter's resentment outlived his; but his
pride was as inflexible as hers. She would not enter his chamber, and
he would not recall her. His wife performed mechanically a routine of
duties, self-enjoined, as covering all that could be required of her.
The residue of her time was devoted to the world, out of which, she did
not seem to _live_. She held her position as leader of the ton. She was
the best-bred, best-dressed, and best-educated woman of her circle. No
party was complete without her; and none vied with hers, in elegance
and agreeableness. People gossipped, and prophecied, and pitied her
"poor old husband"--courted and aped her. Ida had made a public
profession of her faith, and was humbly "waiting." Her health did not
now debar her from mingling in society; and she could discern neither
wisdom nor piety in a hermit's life. Her re-appearance amongst them
was hailed with acclamations by most of her acquaintances. Some were
shy for a time, thanks to Josephine's exposition of her "strait-laced
notions;" but her cheerful frankness banished their reserve; and if not
so noisily admired, she was more beloved than in her palmy days.
She was one evening at a "sociable" at Mrs. Morris', the cynosure of a
group, the liveliest in the room, for it comprised Ellen, Mr. Thornton,
Charley, Mr. Germaine, Mr. Villet, and Richard Copeland. Charley was
relating an amusing story; and Ida's peculiarly contagious laugh
created as much merriment as the anecdote.
"Miss Ross is ever happy," said Mr. Villet. "Your being _devote_ does
not make you sad, morose--_comme a l'ordinaire_."
A glance of apprehension was exchanged by some of the circle; and Ida
colored, as she replied, smiling, "I do not know why it should, Mr.
Villet."
The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders: "Nor I! I do not comprehend these
affairs myself, but it is usual, I believe, for the visible visage to
elongate with the expansion of the--_qu'est ce que c'est_?--grace in
the soul."
There was a laugh. Charley and Ida were grave; and Mr. Villet's
politeness took the alarm. "I entreat your pardon, Miss Ross; I did not
meditate an offence."
"You have given none," answered she. "You would not knowingly make
sport of what you must respect. Religion is not gloomy, nor is it
ridiculous."
"Its professors, with some honorable exceptions, are one or the other,"
said Richard.
"This is their misfortune or failing, not the fault of the system,"
returned Ida. "Mortal nature is fallible, Mr. Copeland."
"You admit it, then?" said Mr. Thornton. "The greatest objection I have
to pious people is that they do not permit this indulgence to abused
human nature. They wind themselves up in their impenetrable cloaks of
sanctification and perfectionism, and send us--no matter where--for
hankering after innocent amusements. And if one of their caste beats
time to a merry tune, or shows his head inside of a theatre, he is
run down as if he had the hydrophobia. Such sermons as they preach
about the hand or foot offending! It would be a wise precaution, in
my judgment, to make the amputation of the feet part of the ceremony
of initiation into church membership. You are superior to such
narrow-mindedness, I hope, Miss Ida?"
"If 'narrow-mindedness' signifies drawing a distinct line of
demarcation between the church and the world, I shall come under your
lash, Mr. Thornton."
"And do you, candid and liberal as you are, declare that there is
sin--mind you! a 'want of conformity to, or transgression of the law of
God'--in moving through a certain form of steps to the sound of music?"
said he, indignantly.
"I do not profess to see sin in the mere act of dancing," replied Ida;
"but--I do not wish to argue, Mr. Thornton. If nothing else forbade my
joining in the amusement, it is prohibited by the church to which I
belong."
"Worse and worse! Miss Ida, this is unworthy of you. It is the Papal
doctrine of depositing one's conscience in the priest's pocket book. If
your church commanded you to steal or kill, would you obey?"
"No; for a higher law forbids it. I am bound to follow the church only
so far as it follows the Bible."
"But the Bible says there is a time to dance."
Ida smiled; "I am surprised," said she, "that sensible persons should
quote that poor text so frequently, as authority for dancing. In the
same connection we read, 'there is a time to kill;'--you would be loath
to defend a murderer who justified his crime by an appeal to this
passage. 'A time to die;'--who sees in this permission to shorten his
days?"
"And you must turn pavier, Thornton, because 'there is a time to gather
stones together,'" said Charley.
There was another laugh, in which Mr. Thornton joined good-humoredly.
"Weak as my text is, I am consoled by the knowledge that you cannot
produce one interdicting that which reason and observation teach is not
reprehensible."
"Not an explicit prohibition, perhaps," answered she, hesitating.
"Well an implied one, then?"
Ida's cheeks flushed, painfully, but her voice was firm as she said,
"I read, 'Be ye not conformed to the world;' and 'Whatsoever ye do, do
all to the honor and glory of God,' and my conscience says I would be
guilty of wilful disobedience to the written commandment, and dishonor
my profession, if I disregarded the plain meaning of these words."
Charley had bided his time. She stood the test well, and he came in to
the rescue. "She is right, Thornton. You and I know it--why dispute it?
Only yesterday, you were laughing at the inconsistency of the 'dancing
Christians' you frolicked with down the country."
"I commended their liberality, their freedom from superstition,"
interposed Thornton, still laughing.
"Humbug! you said--'they have found a road to the Celestial City, which
our orthodox brethren about here do not patronise;--have graded and
widened the strait and narrow way we read of, until it is as smooth as
a ball-room floor; and dance up the shining route. I used to think some
preparation was requisite, before I could be fitted for heaven; but
I am comforted in spirit since meeting them. My chance is as good as
theirs in the long run.' Those were your very words--deny them if you
can, or that you were ridiculing them. You are, like myself, more than
a Sabbath-day's journey from being a Christian; and you assert that
they are not much better off. The plain English of which is, that you
are consistent to your professions;--they say they believe one thing,
and practise the opposite. Pretending to despise the vanities of this
life, they pursue them more eagerly than the things which are unseen
and eternal. If a man unites himself with the church, let him live as
if he were changed. I go to the theatre, although I do not consider it
the best school of morals one can frequent; but it _grieves_ me to see,
in my neighbor, a so-called pious man. I am ashamed for him--my respect
for the reputation of his church is greater than his. I dance--and
sleep afterwards with an easy conscience; but if you ever see me
'tripping on the light fantastic toe,' with an angelic creature who
is a communicant in a Bible-reading sect, you may write it down as an
immutable fact, that she asked me--not I her!"
Charley was lawless. Nobody criticised or was offended with him; and
Ida was always certain of finding in him, an ally and advocate; but
grateful as she was for his ready aid, upon occasions like the present,
she prized more highly the counsels, which his knowledge of mankind,
and his undeviating sense of rectitude qualified him to give. She had
faults,--he pointed them out; she erred in judgment,--he corrected the
evil as far as he could. The spectacle of his daily life was useful.
He possessed almost boundless influence over his associates, and their
attachment to him was close and strong. They understood, intuitively,
the worth of the inner man,--never fully unveiled to the majority of
them, and could not but admire and esteem. And Ida's constant thought
of him was--"If he, calling himself unconverted, accomplishes so
much--what ought not I--a Christian, to attempt?"