“I think from the airs that some of them put on when they get a chance, that they are very willing victims.”

“So much the worse for our institution.  If it is cruel to debase a hapless victim, it is an increase of cruelty to make her contented with her degradation.  Let me tell you, Alf, you cannot wrong or degrade a woman without wronging or degrading yourself.”

“What is the matter with you, Eugene?  Are you thinking of taking priest’s orders?”

“No, Alf,” said Eugene, rising and rapidly pacing the floor, “you may defend the system as much as you please, but you cannot deny that the circumstances it creates, and the temptations it affords, are sapping our strength and undermining our character.”

“That may be true,” said Lorraine, somewhat irritably, “but you had better be careful how you air your Northern notions in public.”

“Why so?”

“Because public opinion is too sensitive to tolerate any such discussions.”

“And is not that a proof that we are at fault with respect to our institutions?”

“I don’t know.  I only know we are living in the midst of a magazine of powder, and it is not safe to enter it with a lighted candle.”

“Let me proceed with my story,” continued Eugene.  “During the long months in which I was convalescing, I was left almost entirely to the companionship of Marie.  In my library I found a Bible, which I began to read from curiosity, but my curiosity deepened into interest when I saw the rapt expression on Marie’s face.  I saw in it a loving response to sentiments to which I was a stranger.  In the meantime my conscience was awakened, and I scorned to take advantage of her defenselessness.  I felt that I owed my life to her faithful care, and I resolved to take her North, manumit, educate, and marry her.  I sent her to a Northern academy, but as soon as some of the pupils found that she was colored, objections were raised, and the principal was compelled to dismiss her.  During my search for a school I heard of one where three girls of mixed blood were pursuing their studies, every one of whom would have been ignominiously dismissed had their connection with the negro race been known.  But I determined to run no risks.  I found a school where her connection with the negro race would be no bar to her advancement.  She graduates next week, and I intend to marry her before I return home.  She was faithful when others were faithless, stood by me when others deserted me to die in loneliness and neglect, and now I am about to reward her care with all the love and devotion it is in my power to bestow.  That is why I am about to marry my faithful and devoted nurse, who snatched me from the jaws of death.  Now that I have told you my story, what say you?”

“Madness and folly inconceivable!” exclaimed Lorraine.

“What to you is madness and folly is perfect sanity with me.  After all, Alf, is there not an amount of unreason in our prejudices?”