"It was not the conversation only--I watched everything about her; and interpreted it by what I know about women. I believe that many of them go into a consumption just from discontent--the righteous discontent of a soul which is meant to sit at the Father's table, and so cannot content itself with the husks which the swine eat. The theological nourishment which is offered them is generally no better than husks. They cannot live upon it, and so die and go home to their Father. And without good spiritual food to keep the spiritual senses healthy and true, they cannot see the thing's about them as they really are. They cannot find interest in them, because they cannot find their _own_ place amoungst them. There was one thing though that confirmed me in this idea about Miss Cathcart. I looked over her music on purpose, and I did not find one song that rose above the level of the drawing-room, or one piece of music that had any deep feeling or any thought in it. Of course I judged by the composers." "You astonish me by the truth and rapidity of your judgements. But how did you, who like myself are a bachelor, come to know so much about the minds of women?" "I believe in part by reading Milton, and learning from him a certain high notion about myself and my own duty. None but a pure man can understand women--I mean the true womanhood that is in them. But more than to Milton am I indebted to that brother of mine you heard preach to-day. If ever God made a good man, he is one. He will tell you himself that he knows what evil is. He drank of the cup, found it full of thirst and bitterness; cast it from him, and turning to the fountain of life, kneeled and drank, and rose up a gracious giant. I say the last--not he. But this brother kept me out of the mire in which he soiled his own garments, though, thank God! they are clean enough now. Forgive my enthusiasm, Mr. Smith, about my brother. He is worthy of it." I felt the wind cold to my weak eyes, and did not answer for some time, lest he should draw unfair conclusions. "You should get him to tell you his story. It is well worth hearing; and as I see we shall be friends all, I would rather you heard it from his own mouth." "I sincerely hope I may call that man my friend, some day." "You may do so already. He was greatly taken with you on the journey down." "A mutual attraction then, I am happy to think. Good-bye, I am glad you like my plan." "I think it excellent. Anything hearty will do her good. Isn't there any young man to fall in love with her?" "I don't know of any at present." "Only the _best_ thing will make her well; but all true things tend to healing." "But how is it that you have such notions--so different from those of the mass of your professional brethren?" "Oh!" said he, laughing, "if you really want an answer, be it known to all men that I am a student of Van Helmont."