was his reply, "learn to understand society. The ladies you allude to are the most fashionable in London, -universally sought after and received, and living on the best terms with their husbands. Why, then, should I object to your associating with them? Such an

absurd piece of prudery would expose me to the ridicule of all London, were I so wanting in tact as to put it in practice."

"If the ladies in question," replied I, and I felt my cheeks glow with indignation, "are sought after, and well received, and live on the best terms with their husbands, it must be because, adding hypocrisy to vice, they deceive the world, and the husbands they betray."

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By no means society has no right to pry into the private conduct of any woman whose husband has not denounced her; and most husbands have too much philosophy, or goodnature, to be severe towards their wives,

who, grateful for their forbearance, repay it by similar indulgence. Lady C. receives Lady D., because it is agreeable to Lord C., who, in turn, permits the constant presence of Mr. E., and thus domestic harmony is preserved, esclandres avoided, and husbands and wives, who no longer could be lovers, instead of proving a source of mutual géne and torment, become friends."

"You surely jest," said I," and are imposing on my inexperience, by the statements you have just made."

"Pas de tout, ma chère; I assure you I have only stated the fact: Nine out of every ten married pairs belonging to our circle, stand precisely in the position I have described, which is the secret of the good understanding that subsists between the greater number of them."

"And you approve of this odious, this

demoralising system?" asked I.

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Why, as my disapproval would not change it, and would inevitably draw down on me the hatred of all our clique, I think it more prudent to submit en philosophe. People never forgive those who would either amend or instruct them; and, as I wish to enjoy life, I am content to let others please themselves, in preference to rendering them displeased with Besides, you are too charming, and I am too sensible of your charms to be likely to take advantage of the latitude allowed to Benedicts, or to have eyes for any other beauty."

me.

As he thus spoke he kissed my hand, with an air as gallant as that with which le premier danseur of a ballet kisses la premiere danseuse; but, seeing the grave, and, perhaps, contemptuous expression my countenance assumed, he changed his tone, and said,—

"Do not look so very much shocked, I beseech you; let us take the world as we find it, my dear Augusta, and be content with being as good as we can be ourselves, without trying to become reformers of others."

"I am not so Utopian as to expect to reform society," resumed I; "but I can see no necessity of associating with people whose principle and conduct are so diametrically opposite to all that I have ever been taught to respect."

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Why, you surely would not be so un

reasonable as to wish me to close our doors against all the fashionable world, because they have emancipated themselves from prejudices, the acting up to which was incompatible with happiness?"

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Prejudices!" I exclaimed; "is it possible, Lord Annandale, that you can thus con

found virtue and vice? that the chastity of a

wife, and the fidelity of a husband, can be

considered as prejudices?"

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Really, my dear Augusta, your inexperience makes you view things in so strange a light, that there is no reasoning with you. Do not, I pray you, become that most disagreeable of all things, a prude; or that most repellant to my nature, a sectarian."

So saying, he quitted the room, leaving me to chew the cud of bitter, not sweet, fancies; and to regret, still more than ever, the infatuation and wilfulness that led me to bind myself to one I can neither love nor respect. Now is explained to me the cause of all that freedom of manner, that levity, and, above all, the easy indifference, with which the people I meet conduct themselves in society.

And it was a husband's hand who removed the veil from my eyes, and shewed me guilt in all its hideous deformity, of which I never