 be a lower kind of being, she should place herself in subjection: she
should be ruled by the thoughts of her father or husband. If not, let her show
her power of choosing something better. You must know that your father's
principles are greater and worthier than what guides your life. You have no
reason but idle fancy and selfish inclination for shirking his teaching and
giving your soul up to trifles.«
    »You are kind enough to say so. But I am not aware that I have ever confided
my reasons to you.«
    »Why, what worth calling a reason could make any mortal hang over this
trash? - idiotic immorality dressed up to look fine, with a little bit of
doctrine tacked to it, like a hare's foot on a dish, to make believe the mess is
not cat's flesh. Look here! Est-ce ma faute, si je trouve partout les bornes, si
ce qui est fini n'a pour moi aucune valeur? Yes, sir, distinctly your fault,
because you're an ass. Your dunce who can't do his sums always has a taste for
the infinite. Sir, do you know what a rhomboid is? Oh no, I don't value these
things with limits. Cependant, j'aime la monotonie des sentimens de la vie, et
si j'avais encore la folie de croire au bonheur -«
    »O pray, Mr Holt, don't go on reading with that dreadful accent; it sets
one's teeth on edge.« Esther, smarting helplessly under the previous lashes, was
relieved by this diversion of criticism.
    »There it is!« said Felix, throwing the book on the table, and getting up to
walk about. »You are only happy when you can spy a tag or a tassel loose to turn
the talk, and get rid of any judgment that must carry grave action after it.«
    »I think I have borne a great deal of talk without turning it.«
    »Not enough, Miss Lyon - not all that I came to say. I want you to change.
Of course I am a brute to say so. I ought to say you are perfect. Another man
would, perhaps. But I say, I want you to change.«
    »How am I to oblige you? By joining the church?«
    »No; but by asking yourself whether life is not as solemn a thing as your
father takes it to be - in which you may be either a blessing or a curse to
