"On the contrary, she seems devotedly attached to her, and uses these words: 'If it were not to promote her interest, do you suppose I could consent to put the Atlantic between my baby and me?' The circumstances are so unusual that I daresay you fail to understand my exact position." "I neither desire nor intend to force your confidence; but if you can willingly answer, tell me whether the mother is in every respect worthy of your sympathy." "I frankly admit that upon some points I have been dissatisfied, and her letter sorely perplexes me." "What claim had she on you, when the promise was extorted?" "She had none, save such as human misery always has on human sympathy. I performed the marriage ceremony for her when she was a mere child, and felt profound compassion for the wretchedness that soon overtook her as a wife and mother." "Then, my dear brother, there is no alternative, and you must do your duty; and I shall not fail to help you to the fullest extent of my feeble ability. Since it cannot be averted, let us try to put our hearts as well as hands into the work of receiving the waif. Where has the child been living?" "For nearly seven years in a convent." "_Tant mieux!_ We may at least safely infer she has been shielded from vicious and objectionable companionship. How is her education to be conducted in future?" "Her mother has arranged for the semi-annual payment of a sum quite sufficient to defray all necessary expenses, including tuition at school; but she urges me, if compatible with my clerical duties, to retain the school fees, and teach the child at home, as she dreads outside contaminating associations, and wishes the little one reared with rigid ideas of rectitude and propriety. Will you receive her among your music pupils?" "Have I a heart of steel, and a soul of flint? And since when did you successfully trace my pedigree to its amiable source in-- 'Gorgons and hydras and chimeras dire'? "What is her name?" Mr. Hargrove hesitated a moment, and, detecting the faint colour that tinged his olive cheek, his sister smilingly relieved him. "Never mind, dear. What immense latitude we are allowed! If she prove a meek, sweet cherub, a very saint in bib-aprons,--with velvety eyes brown as a hazel nut, and silky chestnut ringlets,--I shall gather her into my heart and coo over her as--Columba, or Umilta, or Umbeline, or Una; but should we find her spoiled, and thoroughly leavened with iniquity,--a blonde, yellow-haired tornado,--then a proper regard for the 'unities will suggest that I vigorously enter a Christian protest, and lecture her grimly as Jezebel, Tomyris,--Fulvia or Clytemnestra.'"