"Surely it will be a worthy and an honorable task for Benjamin" (so thought Miss Eliza) "to redeem this little creature from its graceless fortune; possibly, too, the companionship may soften that wild boy, Reuben. This French girl, Adele, is rich, well-born; what if, from being inmates of the same house, the two should come by-and-by to be joined by some tenderer tie?" The possibility, even, of such a dawn of sentiment under the spinster's watchful tutelage was a delightful subject of reflection to her. It is remarkable how even the cunningest and the coolest of practical-minded women delight in watching the growth of sentiment in others,--and all the more strongly, if they can foster it by their artifices and provoke it into demonstration. Miss Johns, too, without being imaginative, prefigured in her mind the image of the little French stranger, with foreign air and dress, tripping beside her up the meeting-house aisle, looking into her face confidingly for guidance, attracting the attention of the simple townspeople in such sort that a distinction would belong to her _protegee_ which would be pleasantly reflected upon herself. A love of distinction was the spinster's prevailing sin,--a distinction growing out of the working of good deeds, if it might be, but at any rate some worthy and notable distinction. The Doctorate of her good brother, his occasional discourses which had been subject of a public mention that she never forgot, were objects of a more than sisterly fondness. If her sins were ever to meet with a punishment in the flesh, they would know no sharper one than in a humiliation of her pride. "I think," said she, "that you can hardly decline the proposal of Mr. Maverick, Benjamin." "And you will take the home care of her?" asked the Doctor. "Certainly. She would at first, I suppose, attend school with Reuben and the young Elderkins?" "Probably," returned the Doctor; "but the more special religious training which I fear the poor girl needs must be given at home, Eliza." "Of course, Benjamin." It was further agreed between the two that a French attendant would make a very undesirable addition to the household, as well as sadly compromise their efforts to build up the little stranger in full knowledge of the faith.