Dwell Deep

at we are, and spea

ll t

loyal to trut

may I speak to you

t I made this request. I was determined to

t me in some surprise. 'Come into the li

his back against the mantel-piece and stroking his moustache, givin

'what is it? Do y

urage, I looked him straight in the face and said, 'General Forsyth, I think you

'is it a question of dres

: I cannot go to dances or theatres with an easy conscience. Don't think it a mere whim or passing fancy; it is a matter of pr

rsyth look

r tone, child! Since when have yo

rence in my life. I thought if I explained my reason to you, you would

ould like to state to you that, according to your father's will, I am to have full control of your money until you marry, or

so,' I said, wondering at the t

after you as one of my own daughters, see that you were given every advantage due to the position in society that he meant you to occupy, and in fact be to you what he would have been had he lived. I know what his views were for you, and those views I shall conscientiously try to further whilst you are with me. I shall not c

for a moment,

ce in this matter, it would make me wretched. I do feel very grateful to you for giving me a home; bu

ubject. If I am to treat you as one of my own daughters, you will accompany them wherever they go. I am a

nd made my way to a quiet spot in a plantation near the house, where I had found a delightful little nook to sit in, and there I took my Bible and had a quiet read and prayer. General Forsyth was not i

ttle distance off. We took tea with us, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Miss Graham w

nder the trees. 'I think we should have great fun together, and do you know, I heard mother say to Consta

little curiously; then, as Violet started to her feet in

aid you are one of those who try to go t

troubled to-day because I am vexing both General and Mrs

a little about your difficulty, and I am sorry for you, for I admire your sincerity. Still, we see things differently when we get older, a

ring forward,' I said, 'but I am old e

ed to long to join a Sisterhood, and devote myself to good works for the rest of my life; but I wa

elf up to good works, Miss Grah

ry fond of-in fact, to whom I was engaged, left me to marry a girl with money, and I was for the time disgusted with lif

ind, if those were your motives fo

What is yours? Isn't it a desire to be

ecause I have had that given to me already, and I want to show my love to the Saviour by my life. I do

it was that I spoke so openly to Miss Graham, for I generally found it very difficult to express my thoughts to any one; but I seemed to hav

; I had never seen Constance and Nelly so full of spirits, and Kenneth and Captain Gates seemed bent upon having 'a real good time of it,' as they expres

, and then Captain Gates sprang up. 'Here, Kenneth, give me a

the other in a corner, tables and couches pushed to the

aying, 'I think it is a romp, no

I think you will find it very warm work in here; would y

g it; I had always loved dancing at school, so without a thought I gave myself up to it; and when Captain Gates stopped us, declaring that he would not waltz with Kenneth,

red out and were re

ind-up now. What do you think, Miss Thorn? You

decidedly, 'I

id this morning that it was settled, and why on

tes; 'I thought you did not care about da

ow foolish I had been, and then I said,

arted me off how enjoyable it is still to me. But that does not alte

, that you dislike

ke from the depth of a large couc

ring the bell for Tomkins to fetch your Bible? I would go myself, only I'm just about done up. You will want a text. Give us your views; it will be most interesting and edifying

o know your reasons for abstaining fro

ng itself that's a sin, and I am not judging any of you; but I know in my heart that dancing and theatricals are wrong for me; they are the essentials of worldliness, those and horse-racing, and card-playing, and other things of the same sort. I w

a sin for you?' aske

y and soul, to God, and I want to live only for Him. You asked me for a text-here is the one that has helped me: "He died

t laugh: 'To be consistent, Hilda, you ought to go

nconsistent I should be if I threw myself into the midst

for parading their own virtues at the expense o

ay that! You made m

life for yourself, and think you will be happy in stif

to realize that religion is not an outward form, something we hear and read about, but is a reality in one's soul. It is living instead of merely existing, it is b

drawling tone. 'Spare us any more rhapsodies. Can't we

twenty minutes she and he were singing together. Then Captain Gates asked me a little hesitatingly if I would play on my violin. I had not

eth in his mocking tone; 'I am sure it is not a fit

f the long French windows and took my violin from the case; then leaning against the

ntirely. 'Dwell deep' was ringing softly but clearly in my ears. Storms could come and storms could go, but in all and through all were those two little words of peace and quiet. And my violin was with me, and understood my mood. I don't know how lon

ting my violin by, without another word I left them, an