Miss Hardie coloured faintly. " I would rather not, dear Alfred: the
introduction could not be for her eternal good. Julia's soul is in a very
ticklish state; she wavers as yet between this world and the other world;
and it won't do; it won't do; there is no middle path. You would very
likely turn the scale, and then I should have fought against her
everlasting welfare--my friend's."

"What, am I an infidel?" inquired Alfred angrily. Jane looked distressed.
"Oh no, Alfred; but you are a worldling."

Alfred, smothering a strong sense of irritation, besought her to hear
reason; these big words were out of place here. "It is Dodd's sister; and
he will introduce me at a word, worldling as I am."

"Then why urge me to do it, against my conscience?" asked the young lady,
as sharply as if she had been a woman of the world. " You cannot be in
_love_ with her, as you do not know her."

Alfred did not reply to this unlucky thrust, but made a last effort to
soften her. "Can you call yourself my sister, and refuse me this trifling
service, which her brother, who loves her and esteems her ten times more
sincerely than you do, would not think of refusing me if he was at home?"

"Why should he? He is in the flesh himself; let the carnal introduce one
another. I really must decline; but I am very, very sorry that you feel
hurt about it."

"And I am very sorry I have not an amiable worldling for my sister,
instead of an unamiable and devilish conceited Christian." And with these
bitter words, Alfred snatched a candle and bounced to bed in a fury. So