"Well asked, my fair sister--asked not only by you, but by others also, and therefore is it that we must practically legislate not as we think best, abstractedly, but as nearly best as can be carried out. So, as the people are not yet ripe for ancient Spartan laws, we must be content yet a while to diffuse the principle that physical development, physical beauty, and physical power are the legitimate objects of human worship. When we have accustomed the people to adopt these views, the rest may chance to follow. Meantime, I see De Villeneuve coming up the avenue: excuse me for an instant;" and somewhat to the surprise of the party, the duke bolted through the open door that led on to the grounds to meet his friend, who dismounted when he saw him coming. In deep conference they slowly approached the house. There was a cloud on the duke's brow, but he shook it off as he entered and gayly introduced his friend. "I am afraid De Villeneuve hardly admires these divinities, Mrs. Godfrey; let us adjourn to the drawing-room." "Nay, defend yourself, M. de Villeneuve; you will not plead guilty to not loving art?" said the lady addressed. "No, indeed, dear madam, his grace is only avenging himself for my criticisms. I suggested to him the other day that he might get up another temple of modern art as a supplement to this, and he felt piqued, I suppose; yet I have found him many times standing rapt before a Madonna." {185} "The gentlemen decided this morning that these were the true gods of the earth, and that Madonnas and Crucifixions were false, unreal types, and to be discouraged." "Not possible!" "Nay, it is true, they were voting a return to paganism." "But you, ladies," said M. de Villeneuve, "you, ladies, were not of that mind, surely?" "I don't know," said Hester, mischievously, "papa was very eloquent In lauding ancient institutions." "But," said the comte, turning very earnestly to her, "he did not tell you how woman was treated in the olden time, before Mary's _fiat_ repaired the fault of Eve. Women, intelligent, beautiful women, owe everything to that divine Mother; and if they cast off their religion it is because the misery is hid from them which the sex was subject to formerly." "There is no necessity just now of making it more clear," said Mr. Godfrey drily. "No," said the comte; "and yet when I see the tendency of the age, I often feel that it would be safer did our ladies know the truth. Eve's fault should at least bring knowledge when knowledge is necessary to truth. Woman could not help but be fervently religious, did she know from what an abyss of degradation Christianity has raised her." Mr. Godfrey turned impatiently to the window. "It is splendid weather for riding," said he; "suppose we order the horses." CHAPTER VII. MARRIAGE OR NO MARRIAGE.