“I am thankful if my coming has put that idea out of your mind, for there is no religion so false and corrupt as the Catholic; instead of taking her away from the influence of corruption of all kinds, you would only have exposed her to still worse deceit.” “Do not speak so bitterly of the Catholic faith, for Mabel, it has been a great comfort to me in my unhappiness.” “That may well be, for you need some one to whom you can unbosom your sorrows, but I still say that I am thankful that I have saved my little niece from so horrible a fate as being given, body and soul, to that life so fascinating to contemplate, but so terrible in reality.” “But Mabel, think of it, when she is a little older, she will realize that there is a dreadful gulf between her father and myself. Then, if she should ever come to know, as I do, in all its hideous truth, the fact that her father not only openly defies every supposed law of morality, but seems proud of the fact that he does so. Think Mabel, of my position. I know, and all my acquaintances know of his avowed admiration for Rosie Hastings, and his constant attendance upon her on all occasions. Oh Mabel, when I think of it all, it seems as if I should go crazy. Does society shun him on account of his glaring misdemeanors? No! No indeed. If he were a woman he would not dare to speak to a decent person, but he is a man, and a man with lots of money, so every one closes their eyes to his faults. He is received and made much of everywhere. Men take him into their homes and present him to their wives, without one thought of the horrible fact that he is dead to every feeling of respect for woman. Mothers allow him to dance with, and to amuse their innocent young daughters. Oh, Mabel, is it not terrible?” “Yes, Lucy, it is, indeed, and, as you say, it is because he has money. Money is the God of Civilization.” At this moment there was a gentle knock at the door which announced the entrance of Ahleka. “Ah! you have returned from your jaunt, have you? How did you enjoy it all?” asked Mabel, as he sat down beside her. Ahleka had been seeing the wonders of San Francisco, under the guidance of Mr. Faxon, Mabel’s lawyer. They had been gone all day and it was now late in the evening. “Do you ask me how I like it all? All the answer I can give, my moonflower, is Kaahlanai is best. We will talk it all over to-morrow, but now it is too late for you to be sitting up, so, with wishes that only sweet thoughts may come to you in the still hours of the darkness, I will say good-night to you both.” Bowing to the cousins, he left the room. The conversation which Ahleka had interrupted was not resumed, but both Lucy and Mabel still thought of it as they prepared to retire. CHAPTER XXIII.