"But, do you think he would care for my company? and, besides, you are always with him." "He would indeed care, if you would but try to please him--and I shall give up my place, when you are ready to take it. Indeed, my duty lies elsewhere, and I must soon obey its call. I would not have any one ignorant of their real talents through false modesty," she continued, "because they are weapons lent us by Heaven, which we must either use, or abuse, or leave to rust in our hands. You know you have a winning way, when you like--it has been your snare in society--but it may make your peace at home." "I will try," cried Lucy, smiling, "no one can give comfort as you can; but I will not talk, I have wasted too much on words already." "But one thing more," said Mabel--"can you bear now to let me speak of Mr. Beauclerc?" "I meant to have forgotten him," replied Lucy, shrinkingly; "but what of him?" "He has written to me--and, if you will let me, I should like you to hear his letter." "Very well then," she returned, but her countenance had fallen. Mabel read-- Lucy blushed when she came to the commendation of "her artless candour and ingenuousness." "Well," she said, "I forgive him, he can ask no more." "Nor does he," replied Mabel, "but you can do more, and I strongly advise you to do so. It would not only be generous, but prudent, to aid in making a reconciliation between him and his wife; for, if he reflects, and the world comments on your conduct, it had better be on your generosity than on any thing else. I carefully bring forward these motives, because it is dangerous to pique oneself on doing a noble thing, when, being prudent, it serves our own purpose. Will you do this, dear Lucy?" "I will try," said she, very slowly, as if with difficulty, "but Millie and I have quarrelled." "She had cause for irritation, if she believed that you were flirting with her husband; and I am sure you can allow for any thing she may have said under that impression; for, without intending it, how greatly you must have pained her."