unmodulated.
    »True, sir; most true,« said Mr. Hickson, bowing. »I honour you for the
observation.« And he profited by it, insomuch that he confined his further
remarks on elections to the end of the table, where he sat near Mr. Bradshaw,
and one or two equally eager, though not equally influential, partisans of Mr.
Donne's. Meanwhile Mr. Farquhar took up Mr. Benson's quotation, at the end where
he and Jemima sat near to Mrs. Bradshaw and him.
    »But in the present state of the world, as Mr. Hickson says, it is rather
difficult to act upon that precept.«
    »Oh, Mr. Farquhar!« said Jemima indignantly, the tears springing to her eyes
with a feeling of disappointment. For she had been chafing under all that Mr.
Hickson had been saying, perhaps the more for one or two attempts on his part at
flirtation with the daughter of his wealthy host, which she resented with all
the loathing of a preoccupied heart; and she had longed to be a man, to speak
out her wrath at this paltering with right and wrong. She had felt grateful to
Mr. Benson for his one clear, short precept, coming down with a divine force
against which there was no appeal; and now to have Mr. Farquhar taking the side
of expediency! It was too bad.
    »Nay, Jemima!« said Mr. Farquhar, touched, and secretly flattered by the
visible pain his speech had given »Don't be indignant with me till I have
explained myself a little more. I don't understand myself yet; and it is a very
intricate question, or so it appears to me, which I was going to put, really,
earnestly, and humbly, for Mr. Benson's opinion. Now, Mr. Benson, may I ask if
you always find it practicable to act strictly in accordance with that
principle? For if you do not, I am sure no man living can. Are there not
occasions when it is absolutely necessary to wade through evil to good? I am not
speaking in the careless, presumptuous way of that man yonder,« said he,
lowering his voice, and addressing himself to Jemima more exclusively; »I am
really anxious to hear what Mr. Benson will say on the subject, for I know no
one to whose candid opinion I should attach more weight.«
    But Mr. Benson was silent. He did not see Mrs. Bradshaw and Jemima leave the
room. He was