Her attention, it seems, was directed for an instant to the window. Their gaze met. No outward sign that they were ever acquainted was manifested. But there was, on both sides, a _recognition_, instantaneous and complete. 'Poor old man!' exclaimed Mrs. Lawrence, involuntarily. 'Who, mamma?' 'We have passed him now.' And no more was said. 'She loved me once,' was the soliloquy. 'That was a great while ago, too....' * * * * * Another carriage passed. A bow from a lady, accompanied by a pleasant smile. It is Miss Innis (Mrs. Leroy), driving out with _her_ children. Though no longer young, she is still a most attractive and elegant woman. 'What a wife she would have made me! I should not be in this state if I had her to look after me. She has a kind heart--always smiling, always happy.' 'Mr. Meeker!' The shrill voice of Arabella is heard. Hiram groans in spirit. 'Don't you think you had better be wheeled to your room? You know I dine out to-day.' 'I prefer to sit here. Tell Williams to come to me.' * * * * * The shadows fall thicker and faster. Still Hiram Meeker sits by the window. Despite my real inclination, I have a morbid desire to linger by his side. * * * * * I hear the sharp ring of the prompter's bell! The curtain is about to fall. I _cannot_ stay in the gloom alone with that man!--Good by to you, Hiram! * * * * * I breathe again--in the cheerful streets, surrounded by bustling, earnest, sympathizing humanity. * * * * * Reader, what think you? WAS HE SUCCESSFUL? APHORISMS. NO. II. One may effect an _absolute insurance against all real evil_ by the adoption of a single rule, i. e., _never to do anything against conscience_. This must be applied in our treatment of ourselves, in body and mind--especially the former; because there we are most apt to fail. It must be kept strictly toward the soul, in view of its endless welfare, and in all our relations to God and man. This, I admit, may not save us from the invasions of apparent ill; but from the entire _reality_ of evil, the security thus furnished is absolute. Conscience is the voice of God in the soul; and no one truly obeying this voice will meet with permanent harm. This rule, let us further observe, is most needed where it is least likely to be regarded, i. e., in circumstances where the voice of conscience is not so decided as in the case of temptations to palpable vice. Our danger is often greatest, where we have to resist only an obscure sense of right and wrong, in seeking the lower gratifications of life. So much the more scrupulous must we there be. BENEDICT OF NURSIA AND THE ORDER OF THE BENEDICTINES.