"I am entirely of your opinion," said Reverend Mr. Van de Lear. "Agnes was independent before; this will make her powerful, and she needs all the power she can get to meet this insensate suburban opinion. When I was a young man, commencing to minister here, I had rivals enough, and deeply sympathize with those who must defend themselves against the embattled gossip of a suburban society." Mrs. Knox Van de Lear opened and closed her eyes with a saintly sort of resignation. "I am glad for Agnes," she said. "But I fear the courts will not allow her, suspected as she is, to have the custody of so much wealth that has descended to her through the misfortunes of others, if not by crimes." "You are right, Lot," said Calvin. "Her little game may be to get a husband as soon as she can, who will resist a trustee's appointment by the courts." "Can _she_ get a husband, Cal?" "Oh, yes! She's lightning! There's old Salter, rich as a Jew. She's smart enough to capture him and add all he has to all that was coming to Andrew Zane." Mr. Salter drew up his napkin and sneezed into it a soft articulation of "Jericho! Jericho!" "Cal, don't you think you have some chance there yet?" asked Knox Van de Lear. "I hoped you would have won Aggy long ago. It's a better show than I ever had. You see I have to be at work at six o'clock, winter and summer, and stay at the bookbindery all day long, and so it goes the year round." "Indeed, it is so!" exclaimed the hostess, slowly shutting down her silken lids of pink. "My poor husband goes away from me while I still sleep in the dark of dawn; he only returns at supper." "Well, haven't you got brother Cal?" asked the bookbinder. "He's better company than I am, Lottie." "But Calvin is in love with Miss Wilt," said the lady, softly unclosing her eves. "No," coolly remarked Calvin, "I am not in love with her. You know that, Lottie." "Well, Calvin, dear, you would be if you thought she was pure and clear of crime." "Don't ask me foolish questions!" said Calvin. The lady at the head of the table wore a pretty smile which she shut away under her eyelids again and again, and looked gently at Calvin. "Dear Agnes!" ejaculated Mrs. Knox, "I never blamed her so much as that bold little creature, Podge Byerly! No one could make any impression upon Agnes's confidence until that bright little thing went to board with her. It is so demoralizing to take these working-girls, shop-girls and school-teachers, in where religious influences had prevailed! They became inseparable; Agnes had to entertain such company as Miss Byerly brought there, and it produced a lowering of tone. She looked around her suddenly when these crimes were found out, and all her old mature friends were gone. It is so sad to lose all the wholesome influences which protect one!"