"Wouldn't he?" said Rosamond. "I've seen him. It was at St. Awdry's at a Christmas party, in our courting days. No, it wasn't with me. Oh no! That was the cruel cut! It was with little Miss Marks, whose father had just risen from the ranks. Such a figure she was, enough to set your teeth on edge; when, behold! this reverend minister extracts her from the wall-flowers, and goes through the Lancers with her in first-rate style, I assure you. It had such an effect, do you know, that what does my father do but go and ask her next; and I heard an old lady remarking that there were only two gentlemen in the room, Mr. Charnock and Lord Rathforlane. So you see it was all worldliness after all, Anne." "I suppose it was good-nature," said Anne. "Indignation, I fancy," said Julius. "Now, was he very wicked for it, Anne?" "N--no, if dancing be not wrong." "But why should it?" "All the bad people danced in the Bible." "Miriam--King David, eh?" "That was part of their religious service." "The welcome to the prodigal son?" further suggested Julius. "Does not this prove that the exercise is not sinful in itself?" "But you would not do it again?" repeated Anne. "I certainly should not make a practice of it, nor go to balls any more than I would be a sportsman or a cricketer, because I am bound to apply my whole self to the more direct service; but this does not show that there is evil necessarily connected with these amusements, or that they may not safely be enjoyed by those who have time, and who need an outlet for their spirits, or by those who wish to guard these pleasures by presiding over them." "Don't persuade me!" exclaimed Anne. "I gave my word to Mr. Pilgrim that nothing should induce me to dance or play at cards." "Mr. Pilgrim had no right--" began Rosamond; but Julius hushed her, saying, "No one wishes to persuade you, Anne. Your retirement during Miles's absence is very suitable and becoming." "Till we live in the Bush, out of the way of it all," said Anne. "I wish you could have seen one of our real old Christmas parties; but those can never be again, without mother herself or Mrs. Douglas." "Do tell me about those Douglases," said Rosamond. "Cecil hinted at some romance, but seemed to think you had suppressed the connection because he was an attorney." "Not exactly," said Julius, smiling; "but it is a sad story, though we have no doubt he bore the guilt of others." "Something about two thousand pounds!"